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United States · Official source
6,315 records where Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service should recommend to the Postmaster General that a postage stamp be issued to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Volunteer Fire Service.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Commuter Rail Safety Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise hours of duty limitations for train employees to prohibit them, among other things, from remaining or going on duty: (1) after having completed a tour of duty, unless having had at least eight consecutive hours of undisturbed rest; and (2) unless such employee has received at least eight hours notice before the time for reporting for duty, except in the event of an emergency, in which case the employee may not work for more than eight hours after reporting for duty. Prohibits a railroad carrier from requiring or allowing a commuter rail train employee to operate a split shift unless it begins between 4 o'clock a.m. and 8 o'clock a.m. Prohibits a railroad carrier and a railroad carrier employer from discharging or in any way discriminating against an employee (whistleblower) who has furnished railroad accident or injury information to the railroad carrier, the Federal Railroad Administration, or other Federal or State agency. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Directs the President, until certain conditions are met, to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods in order to compensate for the losses to the U.S. economy resulting from certain Chinese Government acts, polices, and practices with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights and market access to persons who rely on intellectual property protection.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1996
Intelligence Budget Accountability Act of 1996 - Directs the President to include in the annual budget submitted to the Congress a separate, unclassified statement of the appropriations and proposed appropriations for the current fiscal year, and the amount of appropriations requested for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, for national and tactical intelligence activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1996
Patient Safety Act of 1996 - Requires providers under the Medicare program, as a condition for continued participation in the program, to make publicly available certain minimum information, in addition to information specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, regarding nurse staffing and patient outcomes. Requires the following to be made public along with its source and currency status: (1) data regarding complaints filed with the State agency with oversight over health care services, the Health Care Financing Administration, or a provider accrediting agency; (2) compliance with the standards deemed to demonstrate compliance with conditions of Medicare participation; and (3) data regarding investigations and findings as a result of those complaints and the findings of scheduled inspection visits. Allows the Secretary to waive or reduce reporting requirements in the case of a small provider for whom their imposition would be unduly burdensome. Prohibits Medicare providers from terminating or taking any other adverse action against any employee or groups of employees for certain actions, including those taken for the purpose of notifying the provider of conditions potentially dangerous or injurious to patients receiving services from the provider or to employees of the provider. Requires provider termination from participation in Medicare for taking such an adverse action. Requires any provider under Medicare that files with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission notification of a transaction required to be reported under the Clayton Act to provide to the Secretary a report that includes: (1) the overall impact of such transaction on the health services available and readily accessible to the community; and (2) the impact of such transaction on each of various specified subjects, including the availability and accessibility of services to the poor, the uninsured, ethnic minorities, women, the disabled, and the lesbian and gay communities. Requires public availability of such reports, public hearings on their elements and any other factors related to the health, safety, and welfare of patients and the community involved, secretarial review of each such proposed transaction based on the report, hearing testimony, and any other relevant factors. Deems any provider that executes a transaction found to have a negative impact on health and safety (or that fails to file a required report) not to be in compliance with the conditions of Medicare participation. Mandates the provider's immediate suspension from program participation if it completes a transaction that poses immediate jeopardy or irreparable harm to patient health, safety, or welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1996
Corporate Welfare Reform Act - Establishes the Corporate Independence Commission to study reductions in corporate subsidies to reduce the Federal budget deficit. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth procedures for making recommendations for corporate subsidy reductions. Directs the Chairman of the Commission to develop and publish criteria to be used in making such recommendations based on specified factors, including the number and income categories of individuals affected. Requires the Commission, during every Congress, to identify and review corporate subsidies and, after weighing each subsidy's cost against its value in creating jobs, publish a report recommending corporate subsidy reductions sufficient to raise specified amounts of revenue and alternative methods for funding such subsidies. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the President on the Commission's recommendations. Provides for: (1) the President's approval or disapproval of the recommendations contained in the Commission's report; (2) transmission of a revised list of recommendations for the President's approval; and (3) introduction of legislation to make approved reductions. Establishes a Joint Committee on Corporate Subsidy Reduction which shall have jurisdiction over such legislation and other bills and resolutions which would accomplish the Government-wide reduction or elimination of corporate subsidies. Sets forth congressional procedures for consideration of the legislation. Provides that 45 days after the introduction of a bill under this Act in the House or the Senate, the Commission is authorized to reduce or eliminate any identified corporate subsidy to the extent specified in the transmitted recommendations unless: (1) a joint resolution disapproving all such recommendations becomes law; or (2) a bill introduced under this Act, a bill reported from the Joint Committee, or a bill with respect to which the Joint Committee has been discharged from further consideration becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1996
Snow Removal Policy Act of 1996 - Requires the President, through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to promulgate standards and criteria for declaring a major disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in response to a snow-related event and for providing assistance under the Act for such an event, including reimbursement for snow and debris removal and emergency protective measures.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Research Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require specified institutes of the National Institutes of Health to expand and intensify research on osteoporosis and related bone diseases. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Middle Class Child Care Affordability Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of employment-related expenses incurred which may be taken into account applicable to the child care credit. Eliminates certain offset provisions regarding foreign sales corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Recognizes April 26, 1996, as the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. Calls upon the Government of Ukraine to continue its negotiations with the G-7 countries to implement the December 20, 1995, memorandum of understanding which calls for all nuclear reactors at Chernobyl to be shut down. Urges the President to: (1) support U.S. assistance to provide medical relief, humanitarian assistance, social impact planning, and hospital development for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and other nations most heavily afflicted by Chernobyl's aftermath; (2) encourage national and international health organizations to expand the scope of research into the public health consequences of Chernobyl so that the global community can benefit; (3) support closing the plant; and (4) support broadening Ukraine's regional energy sources which will reduce its dependence on any individual country.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 1996 - Provides for coverage of acupuncturist services under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
Minimum Wage Increase Act of 1996 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage rate under such Act from the current $4.25 per hour to: (1) $4.75 per hour for one year beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) $5.25 per hour after that year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
National Discovery Trails Act of 1996 - Amends the National Trails System Act (the Act) to provide that national discovery trails established under the Act shall be components of the National Trails System. Provides that such trails shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Designates the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail (established by this Act) as a national discovery trail. Provides that the Trail shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Exempts the Trail from comprehensive national scenic trail plan requirements under the Act, but requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into arrangements with a nonprofit organization to submit to specified congressional committees, within three fiscal years after this Act's enactment, a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
American Jobs Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include imported property income of a controlled foreign corporation within the sums added together to compute foreign base company income. Defines imported income property to include, among other things, income from manufacturing, growing, selling, renting, or leasing imported property, but exempts any foreign oil and gas income or any foreign oil-related income. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income. Allows an employer a credit against tax, during the two-year period beginning with the day an employee starts work, equal to 20 percent of the qualified social security taxes paid or incurred by the employer for such new employee. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Finance recommendations on the elimination of, or changes in, business tax preferences.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Treatment of Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Subtitle A: Designation of Additional Empowerment Zones Subtitle B: Increased Incentives for Empowerments Zones and Enterprise Communities Subtitle C: Brownfields Redevelopment Act Title II: Assistance for Infrastructure Improvements and Development Title III: Additional Benefits for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Title IV: Regulatory Flexibility More Power for Empowerment Zones Act of 1996 - Title I: Tax Treatment of Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities - Subtitle A: Designation of Additional Empowerment Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the designation of additional empowerment zones. Subtitle B: Increased Incentives for Empowerments Zones and Enterprise Communities - Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the tax exempt status of enterprize zone facility bonds; and (2) expensing. (Sec. 114) Excludes from gross income capital gains on zone assets. Allows deductions for the purchase of enterprise zone stock. (Sec. 115) Allows a business investment deduction for commercial revitalization. Subtitle C: Brownfields Redevelopment Act - Allows: (1) a business credit for empowerment zones for 50 percent of the costs of environmental remediation; and (2) the use of redevelopment bonds for environmental remediation. Title II: Assistance for Infrastructure Improvements and Development - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) guarantee debt instruments issued by local governments or their designated agencies to finance infrastructure activities to be carried out in empowerment zones or enterprise communities; and (2) require the local government to provide security. Mandates a revolving fund to make loans to local governments for infrastructure activities in empowerment zones or enterprise communities. Authorizes grants to local governments for infrastructure activities in empowerment zones or enterprise communities. Title III: Additional Benefits for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities - Give Students the Power to Work Program Act - Authorizes grants to local educational agencies in empowerment zones to provide students with employment skills and technologies necessary to sustain or improve businesses and industries in the zones. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Requires that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, at least 15 percent of U.S. assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Arms Export Control Act, and the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 be provided in the form of credits that may only be used for the purchase of U.S. goods produced, manufactured, or assembled in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or enterprise zones in the United States. (Sec. 303) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces to require that at least 15 percent of procurement be obligated for contracts to be carried out by entities in empowerment zones or enterprise communities. (Sec. 304) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require that certain items be procured from entities in empowerment zones or enterprise communities. (Sec. 305) Authorizes grants to a State or local government for innovative programs for the transportation needs of an empowerment zone. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to include enterprise zone businesses, units of government that nominate empowerment zones or enterprise communities, and nonprofit enterprises carrying out a significant portion of their activities in such a zone or community in the definition of "small entity" for provisions relating to analysis of regulatory functions. Authorizes an agency to waive or modify all or part of any rule the agency has the authority to promulgate concerning activities in such a zone or community.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
National Invasive Species Act of 1996 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to mandate: (1) regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes through ballast water; and (2) voluntary guidelines to prevent such introduction and spread in U.S. waters by ballast water and other vessel operations. Authorizes mandatory regulations if guideline compliance is inadequate. Provides for enforcement through revocation of clearance and civil and criminal penalties. Encourages negotiations with foreign governments to develop and implement an international program for preventing such introduction and spread in North American waters. Mandates studies of Lake Champlain, the Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, Honolulu Harbor, Prince William Sound, and other waters. Requires an annual grant for six years for aquatic nuisance species prevention and control research in the Chesapeake Bay. Establishes a clearinghouse of national data on ballasting practices and compliance with guidelines under this Act. Mandates a ballast water management program for the Navy's seagoing fleet to limit the risk of invasion by nonindigenous species from ballast water. Requires: (1) a ballast water management program to demonstrate technologies and practices to prevent aquatic nonindigenous species from being introduced into and spread through ballast water in U.S. waters; and (2) that the installation and construction of those technologies and practices be performed in a U.S. shipyard or ship repair facility. Modifies: (1) the composition and research priorities of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force; and (2) zebra mussel demonstration program requirements. Requires the Task Force to encourage the development and use of regional coordination panels and similar entities in regions other than the Great Lakes. Provides for interstate (in addition to existing State) aquatic nuisance species management plans, allowing Indian tribes as well as States to participate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 - Requires health plans and employee health benefit plans that provide maternity (including childbirth) benefits to ensure that coverage is provided for: (1) specified minimum periods after delivery; and (2) certain post-delivery care.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Amateur Radio Volunteer Services Act of 1996 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that an individual licensee in the amateur radio service who provides volunteer services to the Federal Communications Commission shall be deemed to be a Federal employee only for purposes of Federal tort claims procedure (the adjudication of claims against Federal employees for damages or injuries caused by the employee while acting within the scope of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Electronic Fund Transfer Fees Act of 1996 - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit the operator of the electronic terminal at which an electronic fund transfer is initiated from imposing a fee upon any such electronic fund transfer which: (1) is initiated by a consumer from an electronic terminal operated by a person other than the financial institution holding such consumer's account; and (2) utilizes a national or regional communication network to execute the transaction between such person and the financial institution holding such consumer's account.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1996
Aviation Safety Protection Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to air safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to air safety. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Provides for award of attorney's fees of up to $5,000 to a prevailing employer for any such complaint found frivolous or brought in bad faith. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Sets forth Federal policy requiring Federal departments and agencies to encourage the development and use of product testing procedures that do not rely upon animals yet accurately reflect the acute health effects on humans of certain products, including consumer products and products containing hazardous or toxic substances. Requires each Federal department or agency head to: (1) evaluate any regulation, guideline, or recommendation issued by that agency which requires, recommends, or encourages the use of the Draize or other animal acute toxicity test to evaluate the safety of a regulated product; (2) evaluate nonanimal alternatives with the potential for partial or full replacement of such test; and (3) promulgate regulations, guidelines, or recommendations that specify a nonanimal acute toxicity test or battery of tests that should be used instead of an animal test unless the nonanimal test is less likely to predict the acute health effects of a product on humans. Provides that any Federal agency head who finds that regulations requiring or recommending animal tests should not be amended, to publish in the Federal Register an explanation of options considered and the justification for continuing the animal test. Requires each Federal agency head, at least every two years, after considering the most recent technological advances available, to determine whether continued use of any animal test is justified. Makes this Act inapplicable to regulations, guidelines, or recommendations related to medical research.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Women and AIDS Research Initiative Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program to conduct biomedical and behavioral research (directly or through grants) on cases of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in women. Sets forth requirements regarding the existing Women's Interagency HIV Study. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Clean Power Production Act - Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assess and report to the Congress on the reasonable range of environmental impacts associated with electric utility restructuring, including significant proposed State and Federal changes in public utility regulations and the probable results of such changes upon specified air pollutants and the environment. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish and co-chair the Commission for Environmental Mitigation of Electric Utility Restructuring to develop strategies and policies using such assessment to mitigate environmental impacts associated with such restructuring; and (2) report to the Congress on such strategies and policies. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Women and HIV Outreach and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants, with regard to women (and their partners) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), for preventive health services, referrals, follow-ups, outreach, and training on the effective provision of such services. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to provide HIV prevention education to women. Sets forth requirements regarding the composition of Planning Councils. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide: (1) substance abuse treatment to women; (2) counseling to women who engage in substance abuse on the prevention of infection with, and the transmission of, the etiologic agent for AIDS; and (3) such counseling to women who are the partners of individuals who abuse substances. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants under existing provisions to provide early intervention services for women and related technical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1996
Congratulates the people of Taiwan on holding the first democratic presidential election in Chinese history. Declares that the United States is committed to: (1) moving nations toward freedom and democracy; and (2) encouraging and protecting its democratic friends on Taiwan, within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Designates the United States Post Office building located at 245 Centereach Mall on Middle County Road in Centereach, New York, as the Rose Y. Caracappa United States Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1996
Revises Federal veterans' benefits provisions to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital care, and to allow the Secretary to furnish nursing home care, to a veteran who is catastrophically disabled (a veteran whose expenditures for such care exceeded 7.5 percent of his or her gross adjusted income for the preceding year). (Sec. 2) Makes eligible for medical services on an ambulatory or outpatient basis, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such disability may be associated with the described exposure, any disabled veteran who the Secretary finds: (1) may have been exposed to dioxin or was exposed to a toxic substance found in a herbicide or defoliant used for military purposes during the Vietnam era while serving on active duty in Vietnam; (2) was exposed while serving on active duty to ionizing radiation from the detonation of a nuclear device in connection with such veteran's participation in the test of such a device or with the American occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, from September 11, 1945, through July 1, 1946; or (3) may have been exposed to a toxic substance or environmental hazard while serving on active duty in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. Prohibits the provision of such medical services: (1) for any disability that is found to have resulted from a cause other than the exposure described; or (2) after December 31, 1996. Repeals a provision regarding the order of priority for furnishing ambulatory or outpatient medical services for veterans. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to furnish nursing home, domiciliary, or long-term care to qualifying disabled veterans where necessary for medical purposes or to obviate the need for hospital care. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish hospital and nursing home care to any adult dependent of a veteran which the Secretary determines is needed for a disability if such dependent agrees to pay a specified amount representing a portion of the costs of care. Makes such amounts collected or received by the United States for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care available to the Secretary for payment of the costs of such care, without fiscal year limitation. (Sec. 5) Revises the definition of covered "medical services" for purposes of veterans' benefits provisions to include: (1) primary health care services which include initial diagnostic services, treatment services, referral to specialized care or services, and long-term followup care or services for certain chronic conditions, and routine services regarding disabilities that are provided by physicians who specialize in such disabilities; and (2) medical equipment and prosthetic appliances that are prescribed by a physician based on specific medical needs. (Sec. 7) Repeals a requirement that the Secretary include in the budget documents submitted to the Congress for any fiscal year a detailed report on contract care and services furnished. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish primary health care or preventive health services to veterans who reside in locations that are more than 50 miles or one hour traveling time from a Department of Veterans Affairs facility by or through contract with non-Department facilities under specified circumstances. (Sec. 8) Modifies provisions regarding prosthetic appliances and seeing eye dogs. Directs the Secretary to furnish medical equipment or a prosthetic appliance (equipment) as well as necessary fitting and training to any veteran who is entitled to such equipment. Authorizes the Secretary to repair or replace any reasonably necessary equipment belonging to the veteran which is damaged or destroyed by an accident caused by a service-connected disability for which the veteran is in receipt of, or would, but for the receipt of retirement pay, be entitled to, disability compensation. Authorizes the Secretary to provide eligible veterans: (1) training in a Department facility or by contract, including certain travel and incidental expenses; (2) special clothing made necessary by the wearing of equipment; (3) seeing-eye or guide dogs trained to aid the blind and devices for aiding individuals in overcoming blindness, plus training, including travel expenses; and (4) devices for assisting in overcoming deafness, including telecaptioning decoding devices for television receivers. (Sec. 9) Revises provisions regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical-Care Cost Recovery Fund to make specified amounts available to the Secretary for payment of the costs of furnishing hospital care and medical services, including the costs of Department personnel salaries. (Sec. 10) Grants authority for reimbursement by Medicare of certain health care services provided by Department facilities. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Department maintains its capacity to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabilitative needs of disabled veterans, including veterans with spinal cord dysfunction, blindness, and mental illness, in a manner that: (1) affords reasonable access to care and services for those specialized needs; and (2) ensures that overall Department capacity to provide such services is not reduced below its capacity to provide such services as of the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assuring Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage Subtitle A: Guaranteed Access to Health Coverage Subtitle B: Provision of Benefits Subtitle C: Fair Rating Practices Subtitle D: Consumer Protections Subtitle E: Benefits Subtitle F: Standards and Certification; Enforcement; Preemption; General Provisions Subtitle G: Definitions; General Provisions Title II: Administrative Simplification Subtitle A: Standards for Data Elements and Transactions Subtitle B: Requirements with Respect to Certain Transactions and Information Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions Title III: Antitrust Health Insurance Affordability Act of 1996 - Title I: Assuring Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage - Subtitle A: Guaranteed Access to Health Coverage - Requires carriers offering health coverage in the individual and small group market to make available standard and high-deductible coverage. Mandates a family option. Prohibits carriers from requiring limits based on health status, claims experience, or similar factors. (Sec. 102) Mandates acceptance of every small employer and qualifying individual. Allows financial capacity limits and provides for multiple employer welfare arrangement treatment. (Sec. 103) Prohibits denying, canceling, or refusing to renew coverage except for premium nonpayment or similar factors. (Sec. 104) Regulates preexisting condition exclusions and enrollment periods. Subtitle B: Provision of Benefits - Sets forth managed care requirements and mandates a utilization review report. Subtitle C: Fair Rating Practices - Regulates rating variations and mandates a model risk adjustment system. Subtitle D: Consumer Protections - Mandates disclosures by carriers and group plans. (Sec. 132) Regulates carrier remuneration and compensation to agents and brokers. (Sec. 133) Requires carriers and group plans to maintain written policies and procedures respecting advance directives. Subtitle E: Benefits - Regulates standard and high-deductible coverage. (Sec. 144) Mandates establishment of procedures for benefit valuation, the deductible amount for high-deductible coverage, and model benefit packages. (Sec. 145) Regulates the offering of supplemental benefits. (Sec. 146) Requires carriers to offer an option to treat children under 26 as family members. Subtitle F: Standards and Certification; Enforcement; Preemption; General Provisions - Mandates standards regarding this subtitle's requirements. Requires implementation and enforcement regarding carriers, insurance coverage, and group plans. Deems provisions of this title relating to group plans and employers to be provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on a carrier's failure to comply with this Act's requirements. (Sec. 155) Prohibits a single employer plan from offering coverage other than through a carrier unless the plan has at least 100 eligible employees. Subtitle G: Definitions; General Provisions - Sets forth definitions for this Act and effective dates for this title. Title II: Administrative Simplification - Subtitle A: Standards for Data Elements and Transactions - Mandates standards under this subtitle that are: (1) consistent with reducing health care costs; and (2) in use and generally accepted, developed, or modified by standard-setting organizations accredited by the American National Standard Institute. (Sec. 212) Requires: (1) standards regarding electronic transmission of health information data elements; (2) a standard unique identifier for each individual, employer, plan sponsor, and health provider; (3) data element code sets; (4) technical standards consistent with network privacy standards; (5) regulations regarding electronic signature transmission and authentication; (6) direct laboratory claims submission; and (7) network privacy standards. Subtitle B: Requirements with Respect to Certain Transactions and Information - Requires transactions between plan sponsors and providers to use standard data elements. (Sec. 222) Requires a certified health information security organization to make non-identifiable health information available to Federal or State agencies. (Sec. 223) Requires a procedure under which a sponsor or provider that is unable to transmit standard data elements directly may comply with this part. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Mandates network operating standards and a network certification procedure. (Sec. 232) Prohibits requiring data elements or transmission inconsistent with this Act. Allows waivers. Requires anonymity for those reporting violations. (Sec. 233) Preempts contrary State law. Title III: Antitrust - Mandates: (1) guidelines on antitrust law application to health plan activities; and (2) a review process enabling plans to request a Federal antitrust conformity opinion.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the dollar limitation on the cost of property which may be expensed by businesses as depreciable assets. Increases the amount of such property that may be placed in service at which phaseout begins. Increases the limitation on the depreciation deduction for certain automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1996
Iran Oil Sanctions Act of 1996 - Directs the President to impose certain economic sanctions against persons who with actual knowledge or reason to know: (1) export certain petroleum and natural gas-related goods or technology that would significantly and materially enhance Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources; or (2) make an investment of $40 million or more in any 12-month period that directly contributes to Iran's development of such resources. Specifies exceptions to trade sanctions, among other things for certain defense-related articles or services essential to U.S. national security. Prohibits with respect to any sanctioned person: (1) extension of Export-Import Bank assistance; (2) licenses or permits for the exportation of goods or technology; (3) importation into the United States of products produced by such person; and (4) loans from U.S. financial institutions. Specifies sanctions against financial institutions. Authorizes the Secretary of State upon request to issue an advisory opinion to any person as to whether a proposed activity would be subject to sanctions. Waives the requirements of this Act if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Iran has: (1) ceased its efforts to develop or acquire a nuclear explosive device, chemical or biological weapons, or ballistic missiles and missile launch technology; and (2) been removed from the list of countries determined, under the Export Administration Act of 1979, to have repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. Sets forth additional criteria for such waiver. Directs the President to establish a List of Petroleum and Natural Gas-Related Goods and Technology which shall be subject to the export control restrictions of this Act. Requires the President to report periodically to the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to persuade other countries to: (1) pressure Iran to cease its weapons of mass destruction programs and support of international terrorism; and (2) ask Iran to reduce the presence of Iranian diplomats and other personnel and withdraw any of them who participated in the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979. Requires the President to ensure continued reports to the Congress on Iran's: (1) nuclear and other military capabilities; and (2) support for acts of international terrorism. Applies the sanctions required under this Act to persons making investments for the development of petroleum resources in Libya. Declares that determinations to impose sanctions under this Act are not reviewable in any court.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1996
Online Parental Control Act of 1996 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the use of a telephone for making communications that are harmful to minors (currently, indecent). Prohibits the use of an interactive computer service to send or make available to any person under 18 years of age a communication that is harmful to minors. (Current law prohibits any such communication that depicts or describes, in patently offensive terms, sexual or excretory activities or organs.) Defines "harmful to minors" for purposes of such changes. Protects from Federal communications indecency laws any person who in good faith: (1) labeled the communication as inappropriate for minors; (2) placed such communications in a segregated access site identified as inappropriate for minors; (3) otherwise established a mechanism for enabling such communication to be automatically blocked or screened; or (4) installed or provided some device, system, or method that allows adults to prevent access to such communications by minors. Protects from criminal or civil liability under State law any provider or user of an interactive computer service, information content provider, or access software provider that takes one of the above steps.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1996
Recognizes the importance of African-American music to global culture. Calls on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate African-American music.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Comstock Cleanup Act of 1996 - Amends the Comstock Act to repeal a ban on the importation, transportation, or mailing (including through use of a computer) of any material intended for producing abortion or for any indecent or immoral use.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Condemns the terror attacks in Jerusalem, Ashkelon, and Tel Aviv. Extends condolences to the victims' families and to the Government and people of Israel. Reaffirms full support for Israel in its efforts to combat terrorism as it attempts to pursue peace with its neighbors in the region. Calls upon the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian Council, and Chairman Arafat to: (1) apprehend and punish the perpetrators of terror attacks, prevent such acts in the future, confiscate all unauthorized weapons, and avoid and condemn all statements and gestures which signal tolerance for such acts and their perpetrators; (2) eliminate the terrorist structure and terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and all other terror groups; and (3) adopt legislative and executive measures to ban the existence and operations of all terrorist organizations resident in the Palestinian autonomous areas. Insists that Chairman Arafat ensure the timely inauguration of the Council so that the Palestinian National Covenant will be amended of vile references to Israel within 60 days thereafter. Reaffirms that the Covenant must be amended in order for the peace process to succeed. Calls upon the Palestinian people to support the deletion of anti-Israel language from the Covenant, to express their revulsion for terrorism against Israel, and to condemn and isolate those elements of Palestinian society that employ and support such terrorist acts. Urges: (1) all parties to the peace process to bring to justice the perpetrators of acts of terrorism and to cease harboring, financing, and arming terror groups; and (2) the Clinton Administration to act against those who continue to harbor, arm, or finance terror groups seeking to undermine the peace process. Calls upon: (1) those Arab states that have failed to condemn these acts of terrorism to do so immediately and to support all efforts in the region to combat terrorism; and (2) the international community to cooperate with the United States in isolating states which engage in international terrorism. Insists that Iran and Syria cease all support for all terrorist groups operating in areas under their control and refrain from all activities in opposition to the Middle East peace process. Expresses the intent to reconsider U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority in light of the steps that must be taken by the Authority against terrorist infrastructures and operations. Praises efforts to provide Israel with all appropriate antiterrorism resources to eliminate the tide of terrorist incidents against Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1996
United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act - Requires a referendum to be held by December 31, 1998, on Puerto Rico's path to self-government either through U.S. statehood or through sovereign independence or free association. Requires the President to submit to the Congress for approval legislation for: (1) a transition plan of at least ten years which leads to full self-government for Puerto Rico; and (2) a recommendation for the implementation of such self-government consistent with Puerto Rico's approval. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the referendum and congressional procedures for consideration of legislation. Makes funds available for the referendum.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to designate a new title X as the Rent-To-Own Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from taking, receiving, or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction in excess of that which may be charged under State law which establishes in connection with a credit or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged; (2) the types and maximum amount of fees that a seller may charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) termination, recovery, and other fees; (2) the effect of termination; and (3) guarantees and warranties. Makes the following Federal laws applicable to rent-to-own transactions: (1) the Truth in Lending Act; (2) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and (4) the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires a seller to include the following information on each item in the seller's place of business that is available for purchase pursuant to a rent-to-own transaction: (1) the cash price; (2) an itemization of services offered and the price of each service; (3) the annual percentage rate; (4) any applicable periodic payment and the number of payments; (5) the total number of payments required to acquire ownership; and (6) whether the item is new or used. Requires a seller to provide such information to a consumer in writing at the time the parties enter into the contract. Prohibits a seller under a rent-to-own contract with a consumer from taking specified actions, such as using threats or coercion to collect amounts alleged due, or unreasonably disclosing information to third parties regarding amounts owed by the consumer. Makes compliance with the requirements of this Act enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission. Deems a violation of this Act to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Subjects sellers who violate the requirements of this Act to civil liability.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Amends Federal provisions concerning the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under which covered CHAMPUS beneficiaries who are also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be permitted to enroll in a health benefits plan offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program in lieu of receiving care under CHAMPUS or the TRICARE program. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) required contributions for such coverage; and (2) the management of participants in the plan. Requires the Secretary and the OPM Director to report annually to the Congress describing the provision of health care services to covered beneficiaries under the plan during the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the targeted jobs credit from 40 to 35 percent of the amount of qualified first-year wages. Revises targeted group membership provisions. Excludes from the definition of wages any wages paid after: (1) December 31, 1994, and before the 60th day after enactment; or (2) December 31, 1997. Redesignates such credit the "work opportunity credit." Extends to December 31, 1997, the: (1) exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance; (2) credit for increasing research activities; (3) orphan drug tax credit; (4) special rule concerning deductions for contributions of stock for which market quotations are readily available; and (5) exclusion from gross income of employer contributions to qualified group legal services plans. Extends the binding contract date for biomass and coal facilities to July 1, 1997. Extends permanently the Federal Unemployment Tax Act exemption for alien agricultural workers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1996
Financial Crimes Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to increase penalties for making, possessing, using, or selling materials or devices for counterfeiting U.S. obligations or securities and for possessing distinctive paper or a distinctive counterfeit deterrent adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury for U.S. obligations or securities. Sets penalties for: (1) possessing, drawing, printing, processing, or otherwise making or passing, presenting, or selling any fictitious obligation within the United States; (2) using an instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce to transmit or transport any fictitious obligation to, from, or through the United States; or (3) attempting to commit an such offense. Grants the United States Secret Service authority to investigate such offenses. Provides for the forfeiture of counterfeit access devices, device-making equipment, and scanning receivers possessed with intent to defraud in violation of Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow any tax deductions for the expenses of advertising cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, or any similar tobacco product.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Repeals the amendments enacted under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 that require any member of the armed forces who is determined to be HIV-positive (Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1) to be separated within six months after such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Prohibits the President or the Secretary of the Treasury from providing assistance under the exchange stabilization fund to the Government of Mexico, unless the President submits a written statement to the Congress that such Government has: (1) taken immediate action to comply with all outstanding requests for extradition by the United States; (2) enacted and implemented effective laws on money laundering; (3) taken adequate steps to ensure that narcotics or other illegal drug traffickers are not able to acquire any interest in any governmental institution or former institution, including any bank; (4) enacted and implemented effective laws for the inspection and licensing of transportation vehicles, and their owners and operators, to assist in the detection, seizure, and prosecution of such illegal drug traffickers; (5) enacted and implemented effective laws to control the import and export of major precursor chemicals for certain drugs; (6) taken specific action to arrest Mexican drug cartel leaders and others involved in organized crime in Mexico; (7) established a thorough program for the interdiction of illegal drugs flowing across the U.S.-Mexican border, including air transportation of narcotics within Mexico; (8) taken specific action to identify and prosecute civilian and military officials involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, bribery, or other such conduct; and (9) allowed for the seizure, through asset forfeiture, of money and property derived through fraud or any other illegal activity, including illegal drug trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Export Working Capital Program Enhancement Act of 1995 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide that the level of participation by the Small Business Administration in a loan on a deferred basis under the Export Working Capital Program shall be equal to the rate in effect prior to the enactment of the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 1995 (90 percent guarantee rate).
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Calls for the House of Representatives to immediately enact an increase in the debt limit free of conditions. Affirms continued unequivocal support for the full faith and credit of the United States. Declares that the threat of default should never be employed, issued, or in any way implied in political policy debates in such a manner as would jeopardize the Federal credit rating by casting doubt on whether the Government will honor its debts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, not later than March 15, 1996, the Congress should appropriate for FY 1996 for each continuing program or activity of the Department of Education not less than the amount appropriated for FY 1995 for such program or activity.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-Theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a word or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Authorizes States to use Federal highway safety funds to defray the costs of establishing new procedures to comply with such requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of the above acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit customs officers from allowing the export of self-propelled vehicles from the United States by transport (current law permits the export of used self-propelled vehicles provided ownership information is given), unless the exporter presents proof of ownership to such officer. Sets forth a civil penalty for violations of this requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability Subtitle A: Group Market Rules Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Health Insurance Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Subtitle A: Group Market Rules - Prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage to a group purchaser. Allows plans to establish eligibility, continuation, enrollment, or premium requirements, provided the requirements are not based on health status, medical condition, or similar factors. (Sec. 102) Mandates plan renewability, except for premium nonpayment, material misrepresentation, plan termination, or other specified reasons. (Sec. 103) Regulates the circumstances in which a plan may impose a benefit limitation or exclusion because of a preexisting condition. Allows State laws (unless preempted by specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)) that: (1) limit preexisting conditions to shorter periods than the provisions of this paragraph; or (2) recognize previous qualifying coverage with a lapse period longer than provided for by the provisions of this paragraph. (Sec. 104) Mandates special enrollment periods for individuals who have certain types of changes in family composition or employment status. (Sec. 105) Regulates disclosures an insurer must make to a small employer (as defined in State law or, if not defined in State law, employers with not more than 50 employees). Amends ERISA to modify requirements regarding disclosures to plan participants and beneficiaries. Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules - Prohibits an insurer (for an individual in a period of previous qualifying coverage) from declining to offer coverage or denying enrollment based on health status, medical condition, or similar factors. (Sec. 111) Mandates renewability of coverage for individuals, except for nonpayment of premiums, material misrepresentation, or plan termination. (Sec. 112) Requires that State law in effect on, or enacted after, enactment of this Act apply in lieu of the standards above in this subtitle unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the State law does not achieve access goals described in this subtitle. Allows States to meet those goals by using a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model adopted using a consultation process the Secretary approves. Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to modify continuation coverage requirements. Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Requires a State to certify health plan purchasing cooperatives (HPPCs) meeting the requirements of this paragraph. Provides for Federal certification if a State fails to do so. Regulates HPPC organization, duties, and activities. Preempts, for a HPPC meeting these requirements, State fictitious group laws. Preempts State premium rating requirement laws in certain circumstances. Requires compliance with State mandated benefit laws. Applies to HPPCs, for enforcement purposes only, the requirements of ERISA provisions relating to fiduciary responsibility and administration and enforcement. Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards - Deems a requirement or standard under this Act imposed on a plan to be imposed on the issuer. (Sec. 202) Requires each State to mandate that each plan in the State meet the standards under this Act pursuant to an enforcement plan filed by the State with the Secretary of Labor, with employee plans enforced in the same manner as under specified ERISA provisions. Provides for Federal enforcement if a State fails to do so. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health maintenance organization, if notified by a member that a medical savings account has been established for the member and if the member requests, to reduce the basic health services payment by requiring the payment of a deductible for basic health services. Mandates a study and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) mechanisms to ensure the availability of reasonably priced health coverage to employers purchasing group and individuals purchasing non-group coverage; and (2) whether standards limiting premium variation will further the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should sponsor and vigorously press for passage at the 1996 meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of a resolution that criticizes human rights violations in China and Tibet and that calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to ensure the observance of human rights.