United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Directs the President to negotiate trade agreements with each country from which 50,000 or more automobiles are imported into the United States each year that will: (1) eliminate unfair, restrictive, or discriminatory practices in the marine transportation of such imports; and (2) establish procedures whereby a fair and reasonable portion of all such imports are transported to the United States by U.S. owned and operated vessels. Requires the President to report to the Congress semiannually on such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a standard deduction of an additional amount for a taxpayer or the spouse of the taxpayer if the taxpayer or spouse is a paraplegic, a quadriplegic, a hemiplegic, an amputee, or a deaf person at the close of the taxpayer's taxable year. Requires the taxpayer to furnish proof of such condition in such form and manner, and at such times, as prescribed by regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Declares that the Congress applauds the recent initiative by the heads of state of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and congratulates them on the significant contribution made by such initiative toward ending armed conflict and reinforcing democracy in Central America. Declares that the Congress supports such initiative and looks forward to the summit meeting in Guatemala as the next phase in this effort of the Central American heads of state to forge a lasting peace in Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force to prescribe regulations to ensure that National Guard technicians are protected from certain adverse employment actions (i.e. removal, suspension, grade reduction, or furlough) in the same manner as are Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Equitable Automobile Transportation Act of 1987 - Directs a person shipping foreign vehicles from Japan or South Korea into the United States to transport an equal number of such vehicles on U.S. vehicle carriers that the person ships on foreign vessels. Requires shippers to file a bill of lading with the Secretary of Transportation for every shipment of foreign vehicles brought into the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce such required equal percentage for a temporary period, under certain conditions. Provides penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that all amounts appropriated to, or deposited in, a trust fund established under one of those programs be immediately and exclusively available for the purposes for which trust fund amounts are specifically made available under such program. Requires the President, in addition to appointing one member of the the public to the Board of Trustees of the social security trust funds (currently two members of the public are chosen), to appoint a Managing Trustee to the Board, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four years. Provides that the Managing Trustee may be removed only for cause, but is prohibited from engaging in any other business, vocation, or employment. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the Managing Trustee with appropriate assistance. Directs the Managing Trustee to invest that portion of the social security trust funds which is not required to meet current withdrawals in accordance with an annual investment plan submitted by the Board. Requires the Board to conduct a continuing study and actuarial analysis of the status of investments made by the Managing Trustee and, by August 1 of each year, formulate and submit to the President and each House of the Congress an investment plan to govern the investments of the social security trust funds during the fiscal year. Requires the annual investment plan to set forth standards governing the investment and disinvestment of the trust funds which ensure, so far as is possible, that the OASDI and Medicare programs fulfill their intended purposes in a fiscally and actuarially sound nonpartisan manner, free from the influence of irrelevant budgetary or fiscal considerations. Directs that such plan be accompanied by any recommendations of the Board regarding investment of the social security trust funds. Directs that the investment plan and recommendations be incorporated in a special message to each House. Sets a minimum and maximum on amounts of the social security trust funds to be invested in obligations which are not obligations of the United States but which are guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. Sets forth effective date and transitional provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for expenses related to preparation of withholding certificates. Requires that a person who filed such certificate knew it to be false or fraudulent before the imposition of civil penalties. Establishes a transition period for imposition of such penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers with tax forms sent by the IRS. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury (Department) an Office of Inspector General (Inspector). Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Prohibits the Inspector from reviewing: (1) monetary, fiscal, and tax policy; and (2) the exercise of legal judgment in the investigation and litigation of cases. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) withhold from the Inspector requested information that the Secretary determines will jeopardize the success of an ongoing investigation or litigation, confidential sources, or the national security; and (2) prohibit the Inspector from undertaking or continuing an audit or investigation under limited circumstances described in this Act. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he or she has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement the taxpayer makes may be used against him or her; and (3) he or she has the right to the presence of an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary. Permits a waiver of such rights if voluntarily and knowingly made. Amends Federal law to require the Comptroller General (Comptroller) of the General Accounting Office to: (1) conduct audits of the IRS with respect to the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the internal revenue laws (current law specifies no particular focus for such audits); and (2) conduct special audits or investigations of internal revenue law administration upon the request of any congressional committee or Member of Congress. Requires the Comptroller's annual report to the Congress to include specified findings concerning IRS management, efficiency, procedures, and structure. Divests of its finality a vote of the Joint Committee on Taxation to disapprove a Comptroller General audit of the IRS. Designates such vote as a recommendation to disapprove an audit and makes such recommendation subject to congressional approval. Prohibits evaluations of IRS personnel based on revenue collected from taxpayers as a result of audits or investigations involving such personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action in Federal court (regardless of the amount in controversy) for any taxpayer aggrieved by such prohibited investigation or recordkeeping. Authorizes both equitable remedies and awards of damages, including punitive damages, litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees, in such cases. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which such taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments. Requires the Secretary to offer in writing to enter such an agreement with any individual: (1) whose tax liability is $20,000 or less; and (2) who has not been delinquent in installment tax payments under similar agreements during a specified period. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul such an agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Requires the Secretary to abate in full any deficiency, including penalty or interest, completely attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Directs IRS officers and employees, when giving oral advice to a person, to inform such person that the contents of such communication are not binding on the IRS. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Revises the criteria according to which the Secretary determines a minimum sale price for property seized by levy and subject to a tax sale. Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing a class audit of taxpayers in a particular business or trade until each group member is given proper notice and the opportunity either to file an amended return or to challenge the Secretary's findings at a hearing. Places upon the IRS the burden of proof on all issues in all administrative and judicial proceedings between the IRS and a taxpayer. Applies the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to all IRS rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1987 to require the bankruptcy trustee in any reorganization case to pay, until January 1, 1988 (currently, May 15, 1987), health, disability, or death benefits to retired former employees under a program established or maintained by the debtor prior to filing a bankruptcy petition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Mrs. Jesse Owens in recognition of the late Jesse Owens' athletic achievements and humanitarian contributions to public service, civil rights, and international goodwill. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Ethnic and Minority Affairs Broadcasting Clearinghouse Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish the Ethnic and Minority Affairs Clearinghouse within the Federal Communications Commission. Directs the Clearinghouse to: (1) establish a clearinghouse for complaints about the portrayal of ethnic and minority groups in radio and television broadcast programming; (2) collect and disseminate information about such portrayal; (3) conduct an annual conference to draw public attention to such portrayal; (4) submit to the Congress an annual report on its activities, including a compilation of all complaints received; and (5) provide information to the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Designates June 14, 1987, as Baltic Freedom Day. Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Authorizes expenditures by the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation for investigations and studies for the first session of the 100th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned know that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Employee Polygraph Protection Act - Prohibits any employer from using any lie detector test or examination in the work place, for both pre-employment testing and testing in the course of employment. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and have printed notices setting forth this prohibition. Requires employers to post these notices. Provides penalties for violations of this Act. Exempts Federal, State, and local employees from the Act's coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 - Amends title IX (Prohibition of Sex Discrimination) of the Education Amendments of 1972 to define the phrase "program or activity" and the term "program" to mean all of the operations of the following entities, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance: (1) a department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government; (2) a State or local government agency which distributes such assistance and the agency or department to which such assistance is extended; (3) a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or public system of higher education; (4) a local educational agency, system of vocational education, or other school system; and (5) a corporation, partnership, or other private organization. States that such terms do not include any operation of an entity which is controlled by a religious organization. Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to define the phrase "program or activity" to mean all of the activities of the aforementioned entities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to make authority permanent for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (5) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (6) mortgage insurance for land development; (7) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities; (8) mortgage insurance commitment limitations; and (9) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to make authority permanent for urban rehabilitation loan authority. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make authority permanent for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; and (2) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1986 to make national flood insurance authority, including emergency implementation provisions, permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986 to make permanent the exclusion applicable under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to the employment of police officers and firefighters.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Subjects light trucks and vans to the same safety standards as are applicable to passenger motor vehicles under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Technology Education Act of 1986 - Defines "technology education" as a comprehensive educational process designed to develop a population that is knowledgeable about technology and its evolution, systems, techniques, utilization in industry and other fields, and social and cultural significance. Directs the Secretary of Education, subject to the availability of appropriations under this Act, to establish a program of grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), State educational agencies (SEAs), consortia of public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions, and institutions of higher education for not more than ten demonstration programs in technology education for secondary schools. Sets forth grant application requirements. Directs the Secretary to consider equitable geographic distribution in making such grants. Permits such grants to be used to develop a model demonstration program for technology education with specified components. Includes among such components research and development of curriculum materials, an institute to develop teacher capabilities in technology education, and multidisciplinary teacher workshops for interfacing mathematics, science, and technology education. Limits the Federal share to 65 percent of the costs of programs or projects assisted under this Act. Requires that at least ten percent of such costs be covered by private sector contributions. Directs the Secretary to disseminate the results of such programs or projects so as to improve the training of educational personnel. Amends the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to direct the Secretary to make available specified amounts of discretionary funds to carry out this Act for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Textile and Apparel Trade Act of 1987 - Limits the 1987 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1986 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1987 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1986 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of low priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1986 imports of low priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one-percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1987. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation, to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether such country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and such violation has not been adequately offset by U.S. action or by the action of such country. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this paragraph, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this paragraph, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Declares that it is U.S. policy to support the building of democracy, the restoration of peace, and the improvement of living conditions in Central America. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 for economic assistance for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Prohibits obligating or spending any money on behalf of the Nicaraguan democratic resistance on or after enactment of this Act except for funds for: (1) relocation of members of the resistance away from areas of Honduras or Costa Rica bordering on Nicaragua; or (2) support for the Contadora peace negotiations. Prohibits the export to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance of defense article or other goods or technology subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits the export of such articles, goods, or technology to a third party for the purpose of ultimate transfer to the resistance. Prohibits the export of any such articles, goods, or technology to the resistance or to any such third party by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits any foreign country which provides assistance to the resistance on or after enactment of this Act from being eligible to receive assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
High Technology Trade Promotion Act of 1987 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that no permission to export may be required for national security reasons for exports of goods or technology to a country which maintains export controls on such goods or technology cooperatively with the United States pursuant to an international agreement. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to require permission to export such goods or technology to certain end users. Authorizes the Secretary to require permission to export such goods or technology to a country if the country is engaging in a pattern of noncompliance with the agreement of the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls or other applicable agreement. Declares that no permission to export may be required under the national security export control provisions for the export to any country (other than a controlled country) of certain low technology items. Declares that no permission to reexport goods may be required under the national security export control provisions for: (1) reexports to or from any country which maintains export controls on such goods cooperatively with the United States pursuant to an international agreement except for reexports to certain end users; (2) reexports of goods that are incorporated in other goods and do not constitute more than 35 percent of the value of the goods in which they are incorporated; and (3) reexports of certain low technology items. Requires the Secretary, when reviewing the foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls, to include sources of such items within a country to which exports are controlled. Grants the Secretary the authority, with specified exceptions, to make a foreign availability determination notwithstanding the approval or disapproval of any other agency. Imposes a timetable for determinations by the Secretary of foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls. Requires the President to begin negotiations to eliminate the foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls whenever the President determines that it is in the national security interest to eliminate such availability. Provides that if such negotiations do not result in the elimination of such foreign availability within six months, the Secretary may not require a validated license for the export of such items. Deletes the provision that authorized an extension of such negotiating period. Provides a 30-day period for submission of data in connection with review of the inclusion of an item on the national security export control list. Repeals the provision providing special procedures for the Secretary of Defense in the processing of export license applications. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to refer export license applications to other agencies under certain circumstances. Requires the Comptroller General to review the effect of the changes in export license review procedures contained in this paragraph and to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning procedural improvements to ensure the removal of export controls without adversely affecting national security. Requires the President to appoint a person representing the U.S. electronics industry to the U.S. delegation to the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration and for the Office of Export Licensing. Authorizes the issuance of a distribution export license to approve distributors or users of exports in China. Makes certain technical amendments to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Designates March 11, 1987, as National Operation Prom/Graduation Kickoff Day, marking the start of planning of drug- and alcohol-free activities for students during the commencement season.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act - Amends title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of the Job Training Partnership Act to establish a Dislocated Worker Unit in the Department of Labor, which shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of the programs established under such title. Sets forth provisions for State delivery of dislocated worker services. Requires State Governors to submit to the Secretary of Labor, on a biennial basis, a State plan describing in detail the programs and activities that will be assisted with funds provided under such title. Requires the Governor to create or designate an identifiable State dislocated worker unit or office with the capability to respond rapidly, on site, to plant closings and mass layoffs. Requires the State unit to make appropriate training and reemployment assistance available to eligible dislocated workers through the use of rapid response teams or through service delivery offices or other appropriate organizations. Sets forth other requirements for the State plan and the State unit. Permits funds allocated to States under this Act to be used to: (1) provide plant-specific adjustment assistance; (2) deliver, coordinate, and integrate normal labor market services; (3) identify and correct the basic educational deficiencies of dislocated workers; (4) provide vocational and on-the-job training; (5) provide income support; and (6) for FY 1988 and 1989, continue to provide any program,activity, or service that was provided under title III before the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor, from funds appropriated for title III, to reserve 30 percent for demonstration, exemplary, and model programs and to allocate 70 percent among the States on the basis of: (1) number of unemployed individuals; (2) excess number of unemployed individuals; and (3) number of individuals who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more. (Provides that 25 percent of such 70 percent allotment be made on the basis of number of workers displaced by plant closings or mass layoffs in the most recent period for which satisfactory data are available.) Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for the conduct and evaluation of programs under title III, including a standard to encourage the establishment of worker adjustment committees. Prohibits States from providing more than 50 percent of the operating cost of such committees. Sets forth provisions for State tripartite advisory committees, made up of representatives of labor, business, and public or private nonprofit agencies. Requires such committees to review the programs and activities conducted under title III and the biennial State plans. Establishes a National Tripartite Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of business, labor, and public or private nonprofit agencies. Directs the Committee to review programs under title III and report annually to the Secretary and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to provide for an annual evaluation of the title III program, which measures success in placing dislocated workers in unsubsidized employment. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report on the activities of the Dislocated Worker Unit, as part of the annual report of the Department of Labor. Sets forth provisions for demonstration, exemplary, and model programs. Provides that, from amounts reserved for such programs: (1) up to 20 percent shall be available for grants for training loan demonstration programs; (2) up to 20 percent shall be available for grants for public works employment demonstration programs; and (3) the remaining percent, which shall be at least 70 percent, shall be available for providing training, retraining, job search assistance, placement, relocation assistance, and other aid to individuals who are affected by mass layoffs, natural disasters, and Federal Government actions (such as relocation of Federal facilities), or who reside in areas of high unemployment. Provides for a dislocated workers training loan demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to allocate amounts reserved for such program among communities having the largest number of dislocated workers. Provides for such programs in at least five but not more than ten such communities. Authorizes the Secretary to either directly conduct such demonstration programs or to enter into agreements with State dislocated workers units or State or local for agreements for dislocated workers direct loan funds. public agencies or nonprofit private organizations. Sets forth provisions Provides that such loans, up to $5,000 per worker, may be used for: (1) vocational and and on-the-job training; (2) basic education and literacy instruction; (3) relocation expenses; and (4) child care services. Requires the Secretary to provide for evaluation of the direct loan approach and to report to the Congress by October 1, 1989. Provides for a public works employment demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to allocate amounts reserved for such program among cities and counties: (1) which are geographically diverse; (2) which represent urban and rural areas; and (3) for which the unemployment rate for the last six months exceeded the national average by at least two percent. Provides for such programs in at least five but not more than ten cities or countries. Makes an individual eligible to participate in such public works employment demonstration projects if the individual: (1) is an eligible dislocated worker who has been unemployed for at least 15 weeks; (2) has been unemployed or without steady employment for two years; or (3) is a recipient of aid to families with dependent children for at least two years. Requires each participant to be tested for basic reading and writing competence by the private industry council prior to employment by an assisted job project. Provides for counseling and instruction to be given to those who fail such tests. Requires each participant to have received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent, or maintain satisfactory progress toward such a diploma. Requires the private industry council to select the job projects to be assisted. Limits such employment to 32 hours per week. Sets wages at the higher of: (1) the minimum wage; or (2) the amount received in welfare or unemployment compensation, plus ten percent. Directs the private industry council for the area in which the demonstration is conducted to establish job clubs to assist eligible participants with the preparation of resumes, the development of interviewing techniques, and evaluation of individual job search activities. Directs the private industry councils to select projects which are designed to develop marketable skills and show potential for assisting participants to find jobs in the private sector. Directs the Secretary to evaluate such employment demonstration program and report to the Congress by October 1, 1989. Sets forth provisions for labor-management notification and consultation in the event of plant closings and mass layoffs. Prohibits employers from ordering a plant closing or mass layoffs until the end of a specified period after the employer notifies: (1) the employees' representative or if none, each affected employee; and (2) the State dislocated workers unit and the chief administrative officer of the local government. Prohibits an employer from ordering a plant closing or mass layoff unless the employer has met and consulted in good faith with representatives of the affected employees and the local government. Gives the employer the duty of disclosing relevant information during such consultation. Provides for protective orders to protect such information from disclosure to competitors. Makes employers who fail to notify or consult with the affected employees or their representatives liable for back pay and the cost of related benefits. Makes employers who fail to notify the State dislocated worker unit or notify and consult with the local government liable for a specified amount for each day of the violation. Makes employees or representatives of affected employees or local governments liable for violations of protective orders for the amount of financial loss suffered by the employer. Defines "employer" as any business enterprise in any State that employs: (1) 50 or more full-time employees; or (2) 50 or more employees who in the aggregate work at least 2,000 hours per week (exclusive of overtime). Defines "plant closing or mass layoff" as an employment loss for 50 or more employees of an employer at any site during any 30-day period. Expresses the sense of the Congress that employers who are not required to comply with such notice and consultation requirements should provide notice to, consult with, and disclose information to their employees about proposals to close a plant or permanently reduce its workforce. Authorizes appropriations for title III for FY 1988 and each succeeding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Reaffirms Congress' commitment of the American people to promote the development of democracy for all Korean people. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. interest in securing democracy and human rights in the Republic of Korea would best be served by the peaceful establishment of democratic institutions; (2) a necessary condition for achieving democracy is an electoral system that gives the Korean people confidence that the outcome of such elections will reflect their will; and (3) the necessary conditions of such elections are freedom of expression, freedom of the press, due process of law, an independent judiciary, an end to the use of torture, the release of all political prisoners, and the restoration of political and civil rights for all people, including Kim Dae Jung and Kim Young Sam.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which require the adoption of certain taxable years by: (1) partnerships; (2) S corporations; and (3) personal service corporations. Specifies that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 with respect to air carrier mergers or acquisitions to require the Secretary of Transportation to impose, as a condition of approval of such transactions, labor protective conditions that are calculated to mitigate possible adverse effects upon air carrier employees' employment, wages, or working conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to extend indefinitely (currently ends on June 30, 1988) the required date of entry into the armed forces for eligibility for basic educational assistance entitlement for veterans (both of active-duty and Selected Reserve duty) of the All-Volunteer Force.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Eliminates provisions of Federal law which restrict premium pay to the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 for Federal employees in a position in which: (1) the hours of duty cannot be controlled administratively; (2) a substantial amount of irregular, unscheduled overtime is required; and (3) the employee is generally responsible for recognizing circumstances which require the employee to remain on duty.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Medicare Mental Illness Non-Discrimination Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate restrictions with respect to inpatient psychiatric care and the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces serving on active duty or on full-time National Guard duty to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a medical treatment facility operated by the military or the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the amount of benefits paid to public safety officers (law enforcement officers and fire fighters) who die as a result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. Removes the requirement that parents be dependents of the deceased in order to receive such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the discrimination in and denial of health insurance coverage for adopted children. Calls upon State legislatures to enact legislation that requires health insurance contracts to cover adopted children on the same basis as other dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a partial exclusion from gross income of amounts received as an annuity, pension, or other retirement benefit by a taxpayer who has attained the age of 65. Limits the amount of such exclusion to an amount equal to $10,000 minus benefits received under title II of (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) the Social Security Act or under certain sections of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Designates August 12, 1988, as National Civil Rights Day and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling for the ringing of church bells during a moment of silence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the benefits paid to survivors of public safety officers (law enforcement officers and fire fighters) who died as a result of injury sustained in the line of duty. Directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance to adjust public safety officer death benefits to reflect the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Makes the date of death the determining date with respect to the amount payable to beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to require a seven-day waiting period prior to the sale, delivery, or transfer of a handgun (during which time a sworn statement is sent to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferee's place of residence providing notice of the proposed transaction). Authorizes an alternative procedure to such requirement which permits waiving the seven-day waiting period if the transferee presents a certificate from such officer stating that access to a handgun is required because of threats to the transferee's life. Sets forth: (1) certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements; and (2) criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture and importation of any firearm that is not readily detectable as a firearm by standard airport security equipment and readily identifiable as a firearm. Exempts specified firearms from such manufacturing prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Excellence in Minority Health Education and Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to: (1) Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee; (2) Xavier University College of Pharmacy, New Orleans, Louisiana; (3) Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, Alabama; and (4) Meharry College of Dentistry, Nashville, Tennessee. Requires each institution to use such grants to establish, in the pertinent health care discipline, a Center of Excellence, which shall: (1) improve the recruitment of minority students and high calibre minority faculty to the institution; (2) develop effective techniques for training minorities who will serve minority populations; and (3) establish scholarship programs to attract promising individuals to the Center's programs. Sets forth additional uses for the grants to the institutions, to include: (1) maintenance of a communications network to disseminate information concerning health promotion among minorities; (2) development of patient educational materials tailored to the needs of minority populations; (3) establishment of a research program focusing on the needs of minority women and teenagers; (4) study of alternative models for health care delivery systems; and (5) consultation and assistance by the recipient institutions to other medical schools to aid the latter in effecting more productive education and service programs for minority populations. Enumerates specific grant projects appropriate to the subject matter expertise of each of the four institutions eligible to receive the grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Food Irradiation Safety and Labeling Requirement Act of 1987 - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing pork irradiation regulations and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing other food irradiation regulations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for and report within two years on a study of the risks to human health and the environment presented by food irradiation. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that food for domestic use or export which has been irradiated be labeled in a prescribed fashion. Requires restaurant menus to indicate when foods have been irradiated. Requires persons irradiating food to report semiannually to the Secretary.
![Official portrait of Rep. Howard, James J. [D-NJ-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000840_200.jpg)