United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' Title VI: Truth-In-Sentencing Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished Title VIII: Improving Border Controls Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies Back-To-Basics Crime Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States to construct, expand, and improve prisons and jails. Authorizes specified sums to each State without conditions imposed by the Federal Government, except requirements to comply with this title and to use such funds exclusively for the construction of prisons and jails. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth formulas for the distribution of funds in FY 1995 and in FY 1996 through 1999 based on violent crimes reported by the States to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that 25 percent of total funds appropriated under this title shall be allocated to each eligible State according to a formula which takes into account the percentage change in the time to be served by persons convicted of violent crimes. Directs that States which have achieved a truth in sentencing standard of violent criminals serving 85 percent of prison time assessed receive the incentive funds, subject to specified requirements. Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants - Requires the Attorney General to make grants to States to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service. Authorizes specified funds, without conditions imposed by the Federal Government (except that the funds be used exclusively to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service). Requires States to allocate 80 percent of their grants to local government for use by local law enforcement, as nearly as possible in proportion to the populations served by such local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish guidelines for State programs to require a sexually violent predator to register a current address with a designated State LEA upon being released from prison or being placed on parole or supervised release; and (2) approve each State program that complies with the guidelines. Makes States that do not implement and maintain such programs ineligible to receive ten percent of the funds that would otherwise be allocated to the State in drug control and system improvement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires: (1) the determination that a person is, or is no longer, a sexually violent predator to be made by the sentencing court after receiving a report by a board of experts on sexual offenses; and (2) each State to establish a board composed of experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification regarding the duty of an offender to register and to provide any new address to a designated State LEA and of a State prison official to obtain specified information; (2) the transfer of information to the State LEA and to the FBI; (3) quarterly verification of the released offender's address; (4) penalties for failing to register and keep the registration current; (5) termination of the obligation to register; (6) community notification concerning a predator required to register; and (7) immunity for good faith conduct by LEAs, their employees, and State officials. Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for Federal prisoners filing for collateral relief. (Sec. 406) Sets forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases brought by prisoners in State custody who are subject to a capital sentence. Makes such procedures contingent upon: (1) a State establishing by rule of its court of last resort or by statute a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of competent counsel in State post convictions and sentences have been upheld on direct appeal to such court or have otherwise become final; and (2) such rule or statute providing standards of competency for the appointment of counsel. Provides for a mandatory stay of execution during the post-conviction review initiated pursuant to this title. Details conditions which will cause such stay to expire. Prohibits a Federal court from entering a stay of execution or granting relief in a capital case unless specified conditions are met. Sets forth lime limits for determining petitions. Authorizes the State or Government to enforce such time limits by applying to the court of appeals or the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus. Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure, in a proceeding in a court of the United States, on the grounds that the search or seizure was in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution if it was carried out in circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with such amendment. Makes the fact that evidence was obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant prima facie evidence of the existence of such circumstances. Prohibits the exclusion of evidence, in a proceeding in a U.S. court, on the ground that it was obtained in violation of a statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure unless exclusion is expressly authorized by statute or by a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Title VI: Truth in Sentencing - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit the Bureau of Prisons to add, in its discretion, additional time to a prisoner's sentence of up to 15 percent of the prisoner's term for unsatisfactory behavior. Prohibits a sentence from being reduced for satisfactory behavior to a term less than the original sentence nominally imposed. Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished - Directs the Attorney General to implement and enforce regulations which: (1) mandate prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions; and (2) prohibit the Government provision in inmates' cells of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or similar amenities. (Sec. 702) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit awards of Pell grants to prisoners in Federal or State penal institutions. Title VIII: Improving Border Controls - Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to use such funds to permit the commander of the Border Patrol to increase by at least 6,000 the number of border patrol agent positions above the number of such positions as July 1, 1994. (Sec. 802) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited deportation and exclusion of criminal aliens. Prohibits reentry of an alien into the United States during the minimum period of confinement to which the alien was sentenced. Authorizes the Attorney General to prescribe special regulations for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Expands the definitions of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 805) Sets forth deportation procedures for certain criminal aliens who are not permanent residents. Grants a U.S. district court jurisdiction to enter a judicial order of deportation at the time of sentencing against an alien whose criminal conviction causes such alien to be deportable under provisions relating to conviction of an aggravated felony if requested prior to sentencing by the U.S. Attorney. (Sec. 807) Restricts defenses to deportation for certain criminal aliens. Enhances penalties for failing to depart or reentering after a final order of deportation. (Sec. 810) Authorizes appropriations for a criminal alien information system. Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to enhance penalties imposed upon persons convicted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a felony. (Sec. 902) Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fugitive from justice, addict or unlawful user of a controlled substance, or transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm. (Sec. 903) Increases the general penalty for violation of Federal firearms laws. Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Establishes a Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury into which shall be transferred savings realized from implementation of provisions of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) transfers into, and appropriations from, the Fund; (2) annual reporting requirements on the status of the Fund; and (3) allocation of sums in the Fund. Extends authorizations of appropriations for fiscal years for which the full amount authorized is not appropriated. Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted in Federal court of a serious violent felony if: (1) the person has been convicted (and the conviction has become final) on separate prior occasions in a Federal or State court of two or more serious violent felonies, or one or more serious violent felonies and one or more serious drug offenses; and (2) each serious violent felony or serious drug offense used as a basis for sentencing under this title, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony or serious drug offense. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government; and (2) resentencing upon the overturning of a prior conviction. (Sec. 1102) Prohibits the court from reducing the sentence of a defendant unless specified conditions are met, including that defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years in prison for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is currently imprisoned, and a determination has been made by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons that the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1994
Declares that any welfare reform legislation that passes the House of Representatives should: (1) result in net savings to the U.S. taxpayer within five years; (2) limit increases in aggregate spending for welfare programs to the rate of inflation; (3) not require any new taxes; (4) not increase the Federal deficit by more than the amount by which it would increase in the absence of the legislation; and (5) not require State or local governments to bear any administrative costs that would not be borne by such governments in the absence of the legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Immigrants and Refugees Title II: Border Control Title III: Interior Enforcement Title IV: Document Reform Title V: State and Local Responsibilities Title VI: Public Benefits Abuse Title VII: Strengthening Citizenship Title VIII: Immigration and Naturalization Service Immigration Reduction Act of 1994 - Title I: Immigrants and Refugees - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise immigration levels with respect to: (1) the worldwide level of backlogged family-sponsored immigrants; and (2) allocations for priority-worker immigrants. (Sec. 102) Limits the number of refugees who may be admitted to the United States for special humanitarian concerns. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the granting of asylum to aliens who will be threatened in their country based upon race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. Prohibits such persons from receiving any preference or priority or from being discriminated against in the granting or termination of asylum based on race, sex, religion, or nationality. (Sec. 104) Repeals the authority to grant temporary protected status to aliens. Prohibits an alien who is excludable or deportable from remaining in the United States or engaging in employment in the United States. (Sec. 105) Prohibits the Attorney General from paroling into the United States groups or classes of aliens. Prohibits such aliens from being authorized to work in the United States. Limits the number of such parolees. Title II: Border Control - Increases the number of full-time border patrol personnel in the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 1999. (Sec. 202) Imposes a land border and port of entry user fee on persons entering the United States. Title III: Interior Enforcement - Increases the number of full-time investigative personnel in INS. (Sec. 302) Restores the authority of immigration officers and employees to conduct searches without warrants. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make available to the Attorney General defense facilities suitable for the detention of aliens. (Sec. 304) Grants the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exclusive jurisdiction over immigration cases. (Sec. 305) Imposes a penalty on aliens for unlawful presence in the United States. Authorizes the seizure of certain property of deportable aliens. (Sec. 308) Requires the Attorney General to inform an alien who is departing voluntarily of the date and time such departure must be accomplished. Title IV: Document Reform - Revises provisions concerning the examination of work eligibility documents of aliens, including social security cards and identification cards issued by INS. (Sec. 402) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify the Social Security data base to provide for an electronic verification system of information on aliens. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to establish a national electronic network linking the vital statistics records of State agencies. (Sec. 404) Requires aliens who have not lawfully immigrated to the United States to be employed to obtain a visa for nonimmigrant status that explicitly contemplates employment. Title V: State and Local Responsibilities - Makes a State or local government or agency that does not cooperate with Federal immigration authorities ineligible for any Federal funds or assistance relating to law enforcement, education, public health, transportation, or public works. (Sec. 502) Requires State law enforcement agencies to notify the appropriate INS district office of alien arrests. (Sec. 503) Requires confidentiality of immigration-related communications. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Attorney General to deputize state law enforcement officers to assist Federal officers in the apprehension of aliens in violation of immigration laws. Title VI: Public Benefits Abuse - Prohibits the payment of: (1) direct Federal financial or social insurance benefits to illegal aliens; or (2) unemployment benefits to aliens without employment authorization. (Sec. 603) Revises the requirements for immigrant sponsors with respect to their financial responsibilities. Title VII: Strengthening Citizenship - Prohibits automatic citizenship to persons born in the United States of parents who are not citizens. (Sec. 702) Restricts the voting privilege to citizens of the United States. (Sec. 703) Increases from 50 years to 60 years the age for which elderly aliens are exempt from English language requirements for naturalization. Declares that the commission of a fraud upon the INS shall be conclusive evidence that an alien lacks good moral character for purposes of naturalization requirements. (Sec. 704) Authorizes a State to commence a civil suit against the head of a Federal agency for immigration law violations. Title VIII: Immigration and Naturalization Service - Establishes INS as an agency of the Federal government outside of the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Reform of Insured Market for Employers and Individuals Subtitle B: ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Requirements Title II: Tax Fairness Title III: Medical Savings Accounts Title IV: Medical Malpractice Title V: Antitrust Reform Title VI: Consumer Information The Prescription for Health Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reforms - Subtitle A: Reform of Insured Market for Employers and Individuals - Part 1: General Reforms - Prohibits an insurer from canceling coverage or denying renewal of coverage of health insurance with respect to an employer or an individual other than: (1) for nonpayment of premiums, fraud or other misrepresentations, or noncompliance with plan provisions; or (2) because the insurer is ceasing to provide any health insurance in the State or, in the case of a health maintenance organization, in a geographic area with respect to employer or individuals, respectively. Prohibits an insurer that terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area with respect to the market for employers or individuals from offering such a plan to any employer or individual in the area for five years after such termination. (Sec. 102) Bars an insurer from providing for an increase in the premium charged an employer or an individual for health insurance by a percentage that exceeds the percentage change in the premium charged any other employer or individual with the same characteristics, for similar benefits, and for the same area. (Sec. 103) Prohibits an insurer from denying health insurance coverage to any employer or individual, and a sponsor of a group health plan (GHP) from denying coverage to an eligible individual, on the basis of health status or preexisting condition if the employer or individual was covered by health insurance or a GHP for the same condition by another insurer or GHP for a period of not less than 12 months within the 15-month period ending with the month in which the application for coverage is made, with exceptions. Requires an insurer or sponsor of a GHP to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition under health insurance or a GHP if the employer or individual was covered by such insurance or GHP for the same condition by another insurer or sponsor of a GHP for a period of not less than 12 months within the 15-month period ending with the month in which the application for coverage is made. (Sec. 104) Prohibits the premium charged by an insurer with respect to an employer or an individual covered under health insurance by another insurer for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months from exceeding the greater of the amount charged during the previous rating period or the premium charged to any other employer or individual with the same characteristics, for similar benefits, and for the same area. (Sec. 105) Permits variations in health insurance premiums among employers or individuals based on differences in covered services, age, gender, family composition, geographic area, or group size. (Sec. 106) Requires an insurer, upon request, to fully disclose all actuarial assumptions and methods used in establishing its premiums for health insurance at the time it offers or renews coverage to any employer or individual. (Sec. 107) Subjects any insurer or sponsor of a GHP which fails to comply with the provisions of this part to a civil monetary penalty of $250,000 per individual for each violation. Part 2: State Preemptions - Specifies that no provision of State or local law shall apply: (1) that requires the coverage under health insurance of any insurer of any specific benefits, services, or categories of health care or services of any class or type of provider of health care; and (2) that prohibits two or more employers or groups from obtaining coverage under a multiple health insurance plan. Subtitle B: ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Requirements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe: (1) solvency standards for GHPs that are single-employer plans which will ensure that benefits under such plans will be provided in full when due; and (2) rules for monitoring and enforcing compliance with such standards. Requires: (1) the Secretary, in prescribing such solvency standards, to take into consideration the extent to which a plan's potential liabilities are covered by excess or stop-loss coverage; and (2) the plan sponsor of each GHP to take such steps as necessary to ensure that plan assets held for the purpose of complying with such standards are held in trust under the plan and are available solely for such purpose. (Sec. 133) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the account limit for any qualified asset account for a taxable year is the amount reasonably and actuarially necessary to fund compliance with Federal or State solvency requirements, in the case of an account providing medical benefits, as well as specified claims and administrative costs. Title II: Tax Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a deduction from gross income for medical expenses attributable to health plan coverage and contributions to a medical savings account. Revises the medical expense deduction to include amounts paid under a health plan or paid to a medical savings account. Makes such deduction inapplicable to participants in a health plan maintained by their employer. Excludes employer contributions to medical savings accounts from employment taxes. Allows an individual tax credit for amounts allocable to FICA taxes used to purchase health plan coverage and to make contributions to medical savings accounts. Makes such credit inapplicable to participants in a health plan maintained by their employer. Title III: Medical Savings Accounts - Establishes tax-exempt medical savings accounts as trusts created to pay the medical expenses of beneficiaries. Title IV: Medical Malpractice - Makes this title applicable to any medical malpractice liability claim (claim) and any medical malpractice liability action (action) brought in State or Federal court, except regarding a claim or action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death to the extent that specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act apply. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) preemption and negotiated liability; (2) effect on sovereign immunity and choice of law or venue; and (3) Federal court jurisdiction. (Sec. 402) Sets a two-year statute of limitations from the date the alleged injury was, or reasonably should have been, discovered for actions, with an exception for certain minors. (Sec. 403) Makes the liability of each defendant in an action, with respect to economic and noneconomic damages, several only and not joint. Specifies that such a defendant shall be liable only for the amount of such damages allocated to the defendant in direct proportion to such defendant's percentage of fault or responsibility for the claimant's injury. (Sec. 404) Limits to $250,000 the total amount of noneconomic damages that may be awarded to a claimant and the members of the claimant's family for losses resulting from the injury which is the subject of an action. (Sec. 405) Prohibits requiring a defendant, in an action in which the damages awarded for any economic losses to be incurred after the date on which the judgment is entered exceed $100,000, from paying such damages in a single, lump-sum payment. Authorizes the court to require that such a defendant purchase an annuity or fund a reversionary trust to make periodic payments under specified circumstances. Bars a court judgment awarding periodic payments from being reopened at any time to contest, amend, or modify the schedule or amount of payments in the absence of fraud or any other basis under which a party may obtain relief from a final judgment. (Sec. 406) Authorizes a court, as a condition of the initiation of an action, to require an undertaking for the payment of the costs associated with the action, including reasonable attorney fees. Directs the court to require the party against whom the judgment was rendered to pay to the prevailing party costs and fees incurred, with exceptions. (Sec. 407) Specifies that the total amount of damages received by a claimant in an action shall be reduced by any other payment that has been, or will be, made to such claimant to compensate such claimant for an injury that was part of the action. (Sec. 408) Prohibits the award of noneconomic damages regarding any medical product liability claim alleged against a medical product producer if: (1) the drug or device that is the subject of such claim was subject to approval or premarket approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with respect to the safety of the formulation or performance of the aspect, or the adequacy of the packaging or labeling, of the drug or device, and was approved by the FDA; or (2) the drug or device is generally recognized as safe and effective pursuant to conditions established by the FDA and applicable regulations. Makes an exception in the case of withheld information, misrepresentation, or illegal payment to an FDA official for purposes of securing approval. Title V: Antitrust Reform - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the development and publication of explicit guidelines on the application of antitrust laws to the activities of health plans; and (2) establish a review process under which the administrator or sponsor of a health plan may submit a request to the Attorney General to obtain a prompt opinion from the Department of Justice on the plan's conformity with the Federal antitrust laws. (Sec. 502) Requires the Attorney General to issue a certificate of public advantage to each eligible health care collaborative activity that complies with specified requirements in effect on or after the expiration of the one-year period that begins on the date of this Act's enactment (thus making such activity and the parties to such activity immune from liability under the antitrust laws for conduct described). Sets forth provisions regarding requirements applicable to the issuance of such certificates. Directs the Attorney General to issue a certificate to an eligible health care collaborative activity upon finding that the benefits are likely to outweigh any reduction in competition likely to result from the activity and that such reduction in competition is reasonably necessary to obtain such benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the establishment of criteria and procedures; (2) eligible health care collaborative activity; (3) the review of applications for certificates; (4) revocation of certificates; and (5) judicial review. Title VI: Consumer Information - Requires each hospital, physician, or other health care provider to make available to an individual, before providing any health care item or service in the United States, a list of all applicable fees and charges (and where not readily determinable in advance, the provider may use such estimates as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may permit), with an exception for emergency treatment. Specifies that no individual shall be liable for payment for a health care item or service for which disclosure has not been substantially made in accordance with this title.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that neither the President nor any other entity in the executive branch should attempt to impose a racially based quota system to challenge death penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should not undertake any military action against Haiti unless the President first certifies to the Congress that there exists a clear and present danger to the citizens of the United States and that U.S. interests require such action.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Justice Department should accept the June 9, 1994, decision of the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in United States v. Knox as a proper interpretation of the law and as binding authority, should exercise its prosecutorial discretion, and should not aid any effort on the part of the defendant to overturn the decision.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1994
Declares that specified U.S. astronauts who flew in space as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration program to reach and explore the moon shall carry the honorary title Space Emissary and shall be referred to as "The Honorable."
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Requires the Committee on House Administration to make all information from the Legislative Information and Status Service (LEGIS) and the Text of Legislation Service (TLS) available to the public on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State, or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption - Prohibits any agency or entity involved in adoption or foster care placements and receiving Federal assistance from: (1) categorically denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of such person or of the child involved; or (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminate in making a placement decision, on such basis with respect to the adoptive or foster parent or child. Permits an agency to consider the race, color, or national origin of a child as a factor in making a placement decision if such factor is relevant to the child's best interests and is considered in conjuction with other factors. Grants any aggrieved individual the right to seek relief in the U.S. district court. Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 406) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 407) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 408) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 409) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. Repeals any entitlement to benefits established under such programs. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that for purposes of issuing final guidelines under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to unlawful harassment in employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should exclude harassment based on religion.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1994
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, to the Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a gold medal in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity. States that no appropriations are authorized to implement this Act. Declares that the medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Designates September 16, 1994, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1994 (Memorial Day), September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1994 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service System on September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Instructs the House Committees on Agriculture; Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Government Operations; the Judiciary; and Small Business to commence hearings on issues within their jurisdiction relating to Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan Association, Whitewater Development Corporation, Capital Management Services Inc., Ray E. Friedman and Company, Lasater and Company, and such appropriate related issues by August 15, 1994, and to submit written findings concerning such matter to the House by the sine die adjournment of the Congress. Directs the respective committees to work to accommodate the work of Special Counsel Robert B. Fiske, Jr., and to not grant immunity, under specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, over the objection of the Special Counsel to any witness called to testify at these hearings. Instructs the Speaker and the majority and minority leaders to meet to determine the appropriate timetable, procedures, and other relevant issues relating to congressional oversight.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State, or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption - Prohibits any agency or entity involved in adoption or foster care placements and receiving Federal assistance from: (1) categorically denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of such person or of the child involved; or (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminate in making a placement decision, on such basis with respect to the adoptive or foster parent or child. Permits an agency to consider the race, color, or national origin of a child as a factor in making a placement decision if such factor is relevant to the child's best interests and is considered in conjuction with other factors. Grants any aggrieved individual the right to seek relief in the U.S. district court. Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 406) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 407) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 408) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 409) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1994
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to repeal the rule for emergency appropriations. Requires, when emergency appropriations are enacted for a fiscal year in progress, a reduction in discretionary spending limits in the following fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of Congress should have the opportunity to offer, debate, and vote on an amendment striking any employer mandate in any legislation to reform our health care system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1994
Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1994 - Directs the President to terminate the U.S. arms embargo of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina upon receipt of a request from such government for assistance in exercising its right of self-defense under the United Nations Charter. Authorizes the President to direct the drawdown of defense articles and services and military education and training to provide assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina if it makes such request. Limits the amount of such assistance. Bars members of the U.S. armed forces who provide such assistance from performing combatant duties outside of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Insurance Provisions Subtitle B: Promoting Development of Voluntary Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Subtitle C: Federal Preemption Subtitle D: Rules of Construction Regarding Abortion Services; Inseverability Title II: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Subtitle A: Limitations on Employer Deduction for Health Care Coverage for Employees and on Employee Exclusion for Employer-Provided Health Care Coverage Subtitle B: Credits for Contributions to Medical Savings Accounts, for Purchase of High Deductible Umbrella Insurance, and for Routine Preventive Care Subtitle C: Repeal of Medical Expense Deduction Subtitle D: Veterans Medical Benefits and Services Unaffected Title III: Savings In Medicare and Medicaid Programs Subtitle A: Medicare Program Subtitle B: Medicaid Program Title IV: Containing Health Care Costs Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liability Reform Subtitle B: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services Subtitle D: Limitation on Funding for Abortions Title VI: Administrative Cost Savings Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws Title VII: Anti-Fraud and Anti-Rationing Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities Subtitle C: Protection Against Rationing of Treatment Health Savings and Security Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Insurance Provisions - Part 1: Requirements for Tax-Favored Health Plans - Authorizes a State to establish or operate a managed health care plan. (Sec. 102) Requires such a plan to provide for all medically necessary acute medical care (including physician services; inpatient, outpatient, and emergency hospital services and appropriate alternatives to hospitalization; and inpatient and outpatient prescription drugs), to not exclude coverage for selected illnesses or selected treatments if consistent with medically accepted practices, and to meet applicable cost-sharing requirements of this Act. Requires that such plan, in the case of a high deductible umbrella insurance plan, provide a deductible amount for benefits provided in any plan year which is at least $1,500 (but not to exceed $3,000) for items and services furnished to a family (composed of one or more individuals) enrolled under the plan in a year. Specifies that a health insurance plan may not require the payment of any copayment or coinsurance for an item or service for which coverage is required after an individual or a family has incurred out-of-pocket expenses equal to a specified limit for a plan year. (Sec. 103) Requires that such a plan provide: (1) for a variation in premium rates only on the basis of age, sex, geography, and family enrollment, individual and group coverage, and in the case of group coverage, on the basis of the number of individuals covered within the group; (2) for a charge of the same premium rates to new applicants and existing policyholders with the same age, sex, geographic characteristics, and family enrollment; and (3) that the highest premium for the plan for a particular class of family enrollment and geographic characteristics may not exceed four times the lowest premium for such plan for the same enrollment and geographic characteristics. Permits incentive discounts of not more than ten percent for participating in an approved program to promote healthy behavior, prevent or delay the onset of illness, or provide for screening or early detection of illness. (Sec. 104) Requires that such plan: (1) provide guaranteed issue at standard rates to all applicants; and (2) not exclude from coverage, or limit coverage for, any preexisting condition, with exceptions. (Sec. 105) Requires that such plan provide the policyholder with a contractual right to renew the coverage which stipulates that the insurer cannot cancel or refuse to renew the coverage except for cases of nonpayment of premiums, or fraud or misrepresentation, by the policyholder. (Sec. 106) Sets forth restrictions on agent compensation and broker activities. Part 2: Certification of High Deductible Umbrella Insurance Plans and Managed Care Health Plans - Requires each State to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on steps the State is taking to implement and enforce a regulatory program with respect to high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care health plans by a specified deadline. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that a State has failed to submit a report by the deadline or that the State has not implemented and provided adequate enforcement of the regulatory program, to give the State 60 days to submit such report or implement and enforce such program. Sets forth procedures for Federal enforcement if such failure has not been corrected. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to develop State regulatory program standards, in the form of model Acts and model regulations, which include: (1) procedures for certifying that the requirements of part 1 of this subtitle have been met by a health insurance plan applying for certification as a high deductible umbrella insurance plan or a managed care health plan; (2) specified requirements regarding marketing practices and reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms with respect to such a plan; (3) requirements regarding solvency standards and guaranty funds for carriers of such plans; and (4) reporting requirements under which carriers report to the Internal Revenue Service regarding the acquisition and termination by individuals of coverage under such plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care health plans made available to individuals for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models to determine if they provide for an effective reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. Requires each State to establish one or more reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms consistent with such a model. Permits a State to establish and maintain such a mechanism jointly with other States. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism if a State has failed to establish or maintain such a mechanism. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the providing of any high deductible umbrella insurance plan or managed care health plan which covers any individual in a Federal reinsurance State. Directs that the tax imposed equal the applicable percentage of the amount received by the insurer for providing such plan in such Federal reinsurance State. Makes the insurer liable for payment of the tax. Subtitle B: Promoting Development of Voluntary Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Directs the Secretary to establish standards relating to the establishment of health plan purchasing cooperatives (HPPCs), qualifications for qualified health carriers, and the roles of States under this subtitle. Sets forth provisions regarding deadlines, revision of standards, application of standards through States, the Federal role, and implementation of the standards. (Sec. 122) Requires each State to establish boundaries for HPPC areas in the State. (Sec. 123) Authorizes the establishment of one or more State-chartered, nonprofit private corporations to serve as an HPPC for each HPPC area for the benefit of small employers and eligible individuals in the area. Specifies that a carrier may not form, underwrite, or possess a majority vote of an HPPC, but may administer an HPPC. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the establishment by each HPPC of bylaws; (2) the election of members of its board of directors; (3) limitation of liability for good faith actions taken by any member of the board, its employees, or agent in the performance of duties of HPPCs; (4) appointment of officers and an executive director; (5) reporting, recordkeeping, and audit requirements; and (6) general authorities and limits on the authority of HPPCs. (Sec. 124) Requires each HPPC to: (1) enter into contracts and hold policies with qualified health carriers which elect to offer HPPC plans to members; (2) provide for the enrollment of eligible employees of small employers and eligible individuals in HPPC plans of qualified health carriers offered by the HPPC; (3) provide to its members and eligible employees of small employer members comparison sheets with clear standardized information on each qualified health carrier and each HPPC plan offered by a qualified health carrier; (4) establish requirements for participation of small employers and eligible individuals as HPPC members consistent with any standards established by the Secretary and to maintain eligibility records; and (5) establish dispute resolution procedures to resolve disputes between the HPPC and its members or qualified health carriers. Sets forth requirements concerning: (1) contracts with members; (2) contracts with plans; (3) overhead allowance; (4) uniform administrative and accounting procedures; and (5) contracts for administrative services. (Sec. 125) Requires each State to establish a process whereby a carrier that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the State insurance commissioner that it has the capability to fulfill specified requirements (with regard to licensure, administrative capacity, access, grievance procedures, utilization management procedures, quality, information, and data elements) is designated as a qualified health carrier. Sets forth the functions of qualified health carriers. Requires that coverage under an HPPC plan offered by a qualified health carrier be available to any member of the HPPC at the anniversary date of each member's coverage under an HPPC plan, with exceptions and subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 126) Requires each: (1) HPPC to use efficient and standardized means to notify small employers of the availability of plans through the HPPC and to notify the State insurance commissioner of any marketing practices or materials that it finds contrary to the fair marketing of qualified health carriers and HPPC plans; and (2) State insurance commissioner to monitor compliance with marketing requirements. (Sec. 127) Requires: (1) each HPPC to submit specified data to the State on a quarterly basis; and (2) the Secretary to establish uniform standards for data that an HPPC collects from qualified health carriers and providers and disseminates. (Sec. 128) Requires each State to: (1) assure compliance of HPPCs, small employers, and eligible employees and individuals with the requirements of this subtitle and to conduct reviews at least annually on the performance of each HPPC in assuring access to health coverage to small employers and eligible individuals in the HPPC area; (2) receive, review, and act on appeals of unresolved disputes between an HPPC and a member; (3) analyze information collected from qualified health carriers and other sources and report findings that assist consumers, HPPCs, qualified health carriers, or health care providers in improving the delivery or purchase of cost-effective health care; (4) prepare and make available to HPPCs and employers located in the State (and to eligible individuals upon request) information, in comparative form, concerning the HPPC plans in the State and HPPCs operating in the State; (5) report to the Secretary annually on the impact of the reform under this subtitle in expanding the availability and affordability of health coverage to eligible employees and individuals; and (6) supervise HPPCs to ensure that actions that affect market competition accomplish the objectives of this title, so as to provide State and Federal protection to HPPCs and HPPC boards of directors against Federal and State antitrust laws. Subtitle C: Federal Preemption - Bars applicability of any provision of State or local law that: (1) in the case of a group health plan, requires the coverage of one or more specific benefits, services, or categories of health care, or services of any class or type of provider of health care; and (2) prohibits two or more employers from obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 143) Preempts and makes unenforceable specified State law restrictions with respect to reimbursement rates or selective contracting, differential financial incentives, and utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 144) Specifies that nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to invalidate any State law that has the effect of preventing the denial of lifesaving medical treatment pending transfer to another health care provider. Subtitle D: Rules of Construction Regarding Abortion Services; Inseverability - Specifies that: (1) nothing in this title or title II may be construed to require any health plan to include any abortion services or to condition tax deductibility on the inclusion of such services; and (2) if such provision is judicially determined to be invalid all the provisions of this title and title II shall be deemed to be invalid. Title II: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Subtitle A: Limitations on Employer Deduction for Health Care Coverage for Employees and on Employee Exclusion for Employer-Provided Health Care Coverage - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a deduction: (1) for health care coverage for employees under a high deductible umbrella insurance plan or a managed health care plan; (2) for contribution to a medical savings account for an employee; or (3) for payment of permitted coverage. Prohibits such deduction from exceeding the health care tax benefit limitation imposed on individuals receiving coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan. (Sec. 202) Excludes from the gross income of an employee only coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan, contributions to a medical savings account, or permitted coverage payments. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the provision of health benefits under cafeteria plans. Subtitle B: Credits for Contributions to Medical Savings Accounts, for Purchase of High Deduction Umbrella Insurance, and for Routine Preventive Care - Allows individuals a tax credit (with limitation) for a percentage of contributions to a medical savings account. Makes such account tax-exempt and excludes other employer payments from the individual's tax base. (Sec. 212) Allows individuals a tax credit for a percentage of the amount paid for coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan. Requires the establishment of a program to provide health insurance certificates for low-income individuals eligible for such credit. (Sec. 213) Allows certain individuals a tax credit for a percentage of the amount paid for routine preventive care for the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents. Subtitle C: Repeal of Medical Expense Deduction - Repeals the deduction for medical, dental, etc., expenses. Subtitle D: Veterans Medical Benefits and Services Unaffected - Declares that nothing in this title affects veterans' medical benefits and services. Title III: Savings in Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Subtitle A: Medicare Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an annual tax on the Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premiums of high-income and certain other individuals covered by such part. (Sec. 302) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) impose a co-payment for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) eliminate mandatory assignment for test payment and billing; and (3) provide for annual indexing of the part B deductible. Subtitle B: Medicaid Program - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) cap Federal payments for acute medical services; (2) discontinue reimbursement standards for inpatient hospital services; (3) provide for optional enrollment of low-income individuals under high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care plans (with reduced payment adjustments for States providing such enrollment); (4) allow States more flexibility in contracting for coordinated care services; and (5) prohibit Medicaid funding of abortions not necessary to prevent the death of the mother. Title IV: Containing Health Care Costs - Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liablity Reform - Part 1: General Provisions - Makes this subtitle applicable with respect to any medical malpractice liability claim and action brought in any State or Federal court, with exceptions (such as a claim or action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death). Sets forth provisions regarding preemption, effect on sovereign immunity and choice of law or venue, and Federal court jurisdiction. Part 2: Medical Malpractice and Product Liability Reform - Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action from being brought in any: (1) State court during a calendar year unless the medical malpractice liability claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under a State's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system certified for the year by the Secretary or under the alternative Federal system established by this Act; and (2) Federal court during a calendar year unless such claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under such ADR system in the State whose law applies. Directs the Attorney General to establish an ADR process for the resolution of medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States, which shall occur after the completion of the administrative claim process. Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action based on such a claim from being brought in any Federal court unless the claim has been initially resolved under the ADR process established by the Attorney General. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures for filing actions; and (2) the legal effect of uncontested ADR decisions. (Sec. 412) Sets a $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages that may be awarded to a claimant and the members of the claimant's family for losses resulting from the injury which is the subject of a medical malpractice liability action. Prohibits the award of punitive or exemplary damages in such an action: (1) unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the injury suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting a malicious, wanton, willful, or excessively reckless disregard of the safety of others; and (2) against the manufacturer of a medical product. Requires that: (1) any punitive or exemplary damages awarded in a medical malpractice liability action be paid to the State in which the action is brought or, in a case brought in Federal court, in the State in which the health care services that caused the injury that is the subject of the action were provided; and (2) such State use such amounts to carry out activities to assure the safety and quality of health care services provided in the State. Prohibits a defendant, in any medical malpractice liability action in which the damages awarded for future economic loss exceed $100,000, from being required to pay such damages in a single, lump-sum payment, but permits periodic payments based on when the damages are found likely to occur, as determined by the court. Authorizes a court to waive the application of such provision if it is not in the best interests of the plaintiff to receive periodic payments. (Sec. 413) Directs the court in a medical malpractice liability action to require the party that contested an ADR ruling with respect to the medical malpractice liability claim that is the subject of the action to: (1) pay attorney fees and other costs, with exceptions; and (2) post a performance bond, subject to waiver by the court upon determining that the posting of such a bond is not necessary to ensure that the party pay the costs incurred by the opposing party under the action. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) limits on attorney's fees paid; and (2) recordkeeping requirements. (Sec. 414) Allows a defendant to be held severally but not jointly liable in a medical malpractice action for noneconomic damages, and only for those damages directly attributable to the person's proportionate share of fault or responsibility for the injury. (Sec. 415) Establishes a seven-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice liability claims beginning on the date the alleged injury occurred. (Sec. 416) Prohibits a defendant in a medical malpractice liability action from being found to have acted negligently unless the defendant's conduct at the time of providing the health care services was not reasonable. (Sec. 417) Prohibits the trier of fact, in the case of a medical malpractice liability claim relating to services provided during labor or the delivery of a baby where the health care professional against whom the claim is brought did not previously treat the individual alleged to have been injured for the pregnancy, from finding that the defendant committed malpractice and assessing damages unless the malpractice is proven by clear and convincing evidence. Specifies that a health care professional shall be considered to have previously treated an individual for a pregnancy if the professional is a member of a group practice whose members previously treated the individual for the pregnancy or is providing services to the individual during labor or the delivery pursuant to an agreement with another health care professional. Part 3: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems - Sets requirements for a State's ADR system, including that the system: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims under the jurisdiction of the courts of that State; (2) require that a written opinion resolving the dispute be issued within six months of receipt of notice of the claim by each party against whom the claim is filed; (3) require that individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system meet specified qualifications; (4) be approved by the State or local governments; (5) with respect to a State system consisting of multiple dispute resolution procedures, permit the parties to a dispute to select the procedure to be used (and, if they do not agree, assign a particular procedure); (6) transmit to the State agency responsible for monitoring or disciplining health care professionals and providers any findings that such professional or provider committed malpractice, with exceptions; and (7) transmit to the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research information on disputes resolved in a manner that assures that the identity of the parties to a dispute shall not be revealed. Makes the provisions of part 2 (malpractice liability standards) applicable with respect to claims brought under a State or alternative Federal ADR system in the same manner as such provisions apply to medical malpractice liability actions brought in the State. (Sec. 422) Directs the Secretary to: (1) determine, by October 1 of each year (beginning with 1995), whether a State's ADR system meets the requirements of this part for the following calendar year, and certify such system if it does; and (2) establish an alternative Federal ADR system for the resolution of medical malpractice liability claims during a calendar year in States that do not have in effect an alternative ADR system certified for the year. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) requirements for the alternative Federal ADR system; and (2) the treatment of States with the alternative system in effect. (Sec. 423) Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report describing and evaluating State ADR systems operated pursuant to this part and the alternative Federal system. Part 4: Other Provisions Relating to Medical Malpractice Liability - Permits a State agency responsible for the conduct of disciplinary actions for a type of health care practitioner to enter into agreements to permit State or county professional societies to participate in the licensing of such practitioner and to review any health care malpractice action, claim, allegation, or other information concerning the practice patterns of any such practitioner. (Sec. 432) Requires the Secretary to conduct a study analyzing the existence and effectiveness of incentives adopted by State and local governments, insurers, medical societies, and other entities to encourage physicians (whether practicing or retired) to volunteer to provide health care services in medically underserved areas. (Sec. 433) Directs each State to require each: (1) health care professional and provider in the State to participate in a risk management program to prevent, and provide early warning of, practices which may injure or otherwise endanger a patient; and (2) entity which provides health care professional or provider liability insurance in the State to establish risk management programs based on available data or sanction such programs provided by other entities and to require each such professional or provider, as a condition of maintaining insurance, to participate in at least one such program every three years. (Sec. 434) Requires the Secretary to make grants: (1) for basic research in the prevention of, and compensation for, injuries resulting from health care professional or provider malpractice and for research of the outcomes of health care procedures; (2) to assist States in improving their ability to license and discipline health care professionals; and (3) to States and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and health professional schools for educating the public about the appropriate use of health care and realistic expectations of medical intervention and about the resources and role of health care professional licensing and disciplinary boards in investigating claims of incompetence or malpractice, and for developing programs of faculty training and curricula for educating health are professionals in quality assurance, risk management, and medical injury prevention. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities listed in, or designated by the Attorney General pursuant to, this subtitle. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney's fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 452) Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. (Sec. 453) Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors and to review and report on proposed safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 454) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth procedures regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding, such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 455) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 456) Directs the Attorney General to periodically review the safe harbors and certificates of review. (Sec. 458) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy. Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish and administer a program to provide allotments to enable States to provide grants for the creation or enhancement of community-based primary health care entities that provide services to low-income or medically underserved populations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other entities and organizations for the purpose of providing access to services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently being served by an FQHC. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide for a study to examine the relationship and interaction between community health centers and hospitals in providing services to individuals residing in medically underserved areas, ensuring that the National Rural Research Centers participate in such study. (Sec. 502) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified primary health services provider (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who provides full time primary health services in a health professional shortage area, subject to specified requirements) a credit against tax for a period of 60 consecutive calendar months from the time the taxpayer becomes a qualified provider. Sets forth rules regarding the recapture of credit and the expensing of medical equipment. Excludes National Health Service Corps loan repayments from gross income. Provides a deduction for student loan payments by medical professionals practicing in rural areas. (Sec. 503) Amends the SSA to include rural emergency access care hospital services among the benefits provided under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Program for the Aged and Disabled. (Sec. 504) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to assist States in the creation or enhancement of air medical transport systems that provide victims of medical emergencies in rural areas with access to treatments. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a demonstration project under which public and private entities may apply for waivers of provisions of the SSA in order to operate rural health networks which improve the access of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to, and the quality and outcomes of, health care services; and (2) grant waivers to operate rural health networks under the demonstration project to a number of public and private entities. Directs the Secretary to award grants to public and private entities which have received a waiver for planning, developing, and operation of rural health networks. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to provide for the establishment of demonstration projects: (1) in up to seven States for the purpose of testing and evaluating mechanisms to increase the number and percentage of medical students entering primary care practice through the use of funds otherwise available for direct graduate medical education costs under the SSA; and (2) for up to seven health care training consortia for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to award grants to such consortia for developing and evaluating such projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 512) Amends the SSA to count residency training time in nonhospital-owned facilities in determining full-time equivalent residents for direct graduate medical education payments, and for certain indirect medical education payments, under Medicare. (Sec. 513) Amends the Public Health Service Act to increase: (1) National Health Service Corps funding; and (2) health professions funding for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable public and nonprofit private entities to meet the cost of providing traineeships for individuals in baccalaureate and advanced-degree programs to educate such individuals to serve in and prepare for practice as physician assistants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 516) Directs the Secretary to award grants to States or nonprofit entities to fund not less than ten demonstration projects to enable such States or entities to evaluate: (1) State mechanisms, including changes in the scope of practice laws, to enhance the delivery of primary care by nurse practitioners or physician assistants; (2) the feasibility of and most effective means of training subspecialists to deliver primary care as primary care providers; and (3) State mechanisms to increase the supply or improve the distribution of primary care providers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable States to plan and implement coordinated, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive primary health care and social service programs targeted to pregnant women and infants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 522) Authorizes frontier States (including Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana) to: (1) implement proposals to offer preventive services, including mobile preventive health centers, which may be located on aircraft, watercraft, or other forms of transportation; and (2) participate in demonstration projects to improve recruitment, retention, and training of rural providers, including nurse partitioners and physician assistants. Subtitle D: Limitation on Funding for Abortions - Specifies that: (1) nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize funding for any abortion, except to prevent the death of the mother; and (2) the provision of abortion services by a State or other entity shall not be regarded as a condition for participation in any grant or benefit authorized in this title. Title VI: Administrative Cost Savings - Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to: (1) data elements for use in paper and electronic claims processing under health insurance plans, as well as for use in utilization review and management of care; (2) uniform claims forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. Directs the Secretary, in adopting such standards, to take into account the recommendations of current task forces, consult with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and seek to make the standards consistent with any uniform clinical data sets which have been adopted and are widely recognized. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) deadlines for promulgation; and (2) application of the standards. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to provide for the periodic review and revision of such standards. Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards - Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data, including confidentiality standards. Authorizes the Secretary to periodically revise the standards and to promulgate (and periodically revise) standards for providers that are not hospitals. (Sec. 612) Requires each hospital, as of January 1, 1996 to: (1) maintain clinical data included in the set of comprehensive data elements in electronic form on all inpatients; (2) upon request of the Secretary or a utilization and quality control peer review organization, transmit electronically the data set; and (3) upon request of the Secretary or a fiscal intermediary or carrier, transmit electronically any data with respect to a claim from such data set in accordance with specified standards. Grants the Secretary waiver authority under specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide that each hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall comply with requirements of this subtitle as if it were participating in the Medicare program. Grants such Secretary waiver authority under specified circumstances. (Sec. 613) Authorizes, effective January 1, 2000, a Federal agency to require a provider to transmit required data elements electronically in accordance with applicable presentation or transmission standards. (Sec. 614) Prohibits a health insurance plan, if standards for data elements are promulgated with respect to a class of provider, from requiring for the purpose of utilization review or as a condition of providing benefits under the plan that a provider in the class: (1) provide any data element not in the set of comprehensive data elements specified under such standards; or (2) transmit or present any such data element in a manner inconsistent with the applicable transmission or presentation standards. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil monetary penalty on any health insurance plan (with exceptions) that fails to comply with such provision. (Sec. 615) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission in collection and use of data and operation of data systems to monitor and advise the Secretary concerning the standards established under this subtitle and operational concerns about the implementation of such standards. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Directs the Secretary to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program (to assure the availability of comparative value information to purchasers of health care in each State) that meets specified criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to enable each State to plan the development of, and initiate the implementation of its health care value information program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 622) Directs the Secretary, if a State has failed to develop or implement such program, to implement a comparable program in the State. (Sec. 623) Requires the head of each Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to promptly develop and make available to States and to providers and consumers of health care services relevant to health care value information. Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws - Provides that, effective January 1, 1996, no effect shall be given to any State law provision that requires medical or health insurance records (including billing information) to be maintained in written rather than electronic form. Title VII: Anti-Fraud and Anti-Rationing - Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for health care fraud. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Attorney General, in special circumstances, to make payments of up to $10,000 to a person who furnishes information unknown to the Government relating to a possible prosecution for health care fraud, subject to specified limitations. Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities - Amends the SSA to apply Federal health anti-fraud and abuse sanctions to all fraud and abuse against any health insurance plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify opportunities for the satisfaction of community service obligations that a court may impose upon the conviction of a criminal ofense involving Medicare or State health care programs; and (2) make information concerning such opportunities available to Federal and State law enforcement officers and State and local health care officials. Subtitle C: Protection Against Rationing of Treatment - Prohibits a health care provider or health insurance plan from denying medical treatment or insurance coverage that a patient is otherwise qualified to receive against the wishes of a patient (or if the patient is incompetent, against the wishes of the patient's guardian) on the basis of the patient's present or predicted age, disability, degree of medical need, or quality of life. (Sec. 722) Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applicable to any person who is denied medical treatment or insurance coverage, or who has reasonable grounds for believing that such person is about to be subjected to such denial, in violation of this subtitle. Permits an individual subjected to such denial (or a person who would be entitled to bring a cause of action for the individual's wrongful death) to obtain damages.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the United States Botanic Garden; and (2) pay all surcharges received from such coin sales to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1994
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue gold and silver coins emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Establishes the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior for Memorial-related purposes and to provide educational scholarships to the immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty whose names appear on the Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Designates the Federal building located at 100 East Houston Street in Marshall, Texas, as the Sam B. Hall, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Interdiction Title II: Alien Smuggling Title III: Employment Title IV: Government Benefits Title V: Criminal Aliens Title VI: Terrorist Aliens Title VII: Inspections Title VIII: Asylum Illegal Immigration Control Act of 1994 - Title I:Interdiction - Directs the Attorney General to install additional physicial barriers in high illegal-entry border areas. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for additional Border Patrol personnel. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General and the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to: (1) implement an interior repatriation program for illegal aliens who have been deported at least three times; and (2) increase border detention facilities. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the transfer of closed military bases to be used as Federal incarceration facilities for illegal aliens. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Attorney General to require vessels to provide INS with port of entry notification. (Sec. 106) Directs the Commissioner to collect a user fee for each U.S. land entry. (Sec. 107) Establishes a Border Control Trust Fund. Title II: Alien Smuggling - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) to expand INS forfeiture authority for smuggling or harboring illegal aliens. (Sec. 202) Brings alien smuggling operations under the purview of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions. (Sec. 203) Amends the Act to increase penalties for certain alien smuggling offenses. (Sec. 204) Amends Federal law to authorize INS wiretaps for alien smuggling investigations. Title III: Employment - Amends the Act to revise alien employment documentation and employer verification provisions, including social security card enhancements. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for additional INS investigators. Title IV: Government Benefits - Prohibits direct Federal benefits (except for emergency medical care) or housing assistance to an alien who is not a permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, or a parolee. (Sec. 402) Prohibits unemployment benefits to an alien who has not been granted INS work authorization. (Sec. 404) Authorizes appropriations for the Save System. (Sec. 405) Reduces Federal assistance by 20 percent to any locality that refuses to cooperate in the arrest and deportation of illegal aliens. (Sec. 406) Establishes a uniform vital statistics pilot program for three States with high numbers of undocumented aliens. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Criminal Aliens - Amends the Act to include aliens on criminal probation or criminal parole among the categories of aliens subject to special registration. (Sec. 502) Expands the definition of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 503) Expedites deportation proceedings for specified criminal aliens. (Sec. 504) Provides for judicial deportation of aliens convicted of an aggravated felony. (Sec. 505) Restricts specified deportation defenses. (Sec. 508) Directs the Commissioner to operate a criminal alien tracking center. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 509) Directs the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to study the use and effectiveness of the Prisoner Transfer Treaty with Mexico to remove convicted aliens from the United States. Title VI: Terrorist Aliens - Amends the Act to establish procedures for the removal of alien terrorists, including a special court to hear such cases. (Sec. 602) Makes membership in a terrorist organization a basis for U.S. exclusion. Title VII: Inspections - Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) specified numbers of preinspection stations at foreign airports identified as last departure points for the greatest numbers of U.S.-arriving passengers and at those with the greatest numbers of U.S.-arriving undocumented aliens; and (2) an air carrier consultant program. (Sec. 702) Provides for the training of airline personnel in fraudulent document detection. (Sec. 703) Amends Federal law to increase specified passport and visa penalties. Title VIII: Asylum - Amends the Act to revise asylum procedures. (Sec. 802) Sets forth mandatory and discretionary conditions for granting provisional asylum.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Requests the President to provide to the House of Representatives specified information concerning: (1) any communications between the White House and the Small Business Administration regarding Capital Management Services, Inc., or a Mr. David Hale; (2) a claim of executive privilege that blocked the search of Mr. Vincent Foster's offices on or after July 20, 1993; (3) the job title, duties, and national security assignments of Mr. Foster; (4) the reasons for Mr. Foster having in his office any of the President's personnel or business records not related to Mr. Foster's official duties; (5) the person in charge of Mr. Foster's office at the time White House officials were informed of his death; (6) the individuals who entered Mr. Foster's office within 48 hours after his death; and (7) any records removed from Mr. Foster's office.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1994
World War II Peace Accords Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 50th anniversary of the signing of the World War II peace accords on the U.S.S. Missouri should not go unrecognized at the national level; and (2) the United States should recognize such anniversary by minting and issuing a commemorative coin. Sets forth specifications for half dollar clad coins. Mandates that the surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation for the purpose of preserving the Pacific War heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
Budget Accountability Act of 1994 - Provides for the termination of Federal programs that are not reauthorized by the Congress. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of legislation that does not contain an authorization period for the use of appropriated amounts. Prohibits the imposition of any tax unless a later date for such tax to terminate is specified by law. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of such legislation. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the House rule concerning the reporting requirements in general appropriations bills should be vigorously applied; (2) laws that affect the Federal revenue should be periodically reviewed by the appropriate congressional committees to determine, based on the health of the economy, whether such laws should continue in effect; and (3) reducing the debt of the Federal Government is critical to the long-term health of the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Prohibits the Department of Transportation or any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from requiring any State or political subdivision to convert highway signs to metric units.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Small Business Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual retirement account to be pledged as security for a qualified business loan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Education Bureaucracy Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Education, for FY 1995 and 1996, to reduce personnel costs of the Department of Education by ten percent. Requires savings from such reduction to be used as follows: (1) 90 percent transferred to local educational agencies according to State distribution formulas; and (2) ten percent to reduce the Federal budget deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Commercial Mortgage Capital Availability Act of 1993 - Sets forth a regulatory scheme under which qualified insured depository institutions meeting prescribed reserve and capital requirements may execute mortgage loan transfers with a recourse arrangement. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to modify the definition of "mortgage related security" to include notes directly secured by a first lien on real estate with commercial structures located upon it (thus bringing such securities within the purview of the Act). Directs the Secretary of Labor to exempt commercial mortgage related securities transactions from: (1) certain restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and (2) certain taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Mandates that securities relying on the provisions of this Act comply with all Federal securities laws relating to disclosure to investors, registrations, reporting and anti-fraud provisions. Requires insured depository institutions to maintain the minimum adequate capital prescribed by regulatory banking agencies when executing mortgage backed securities transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Lending Enhancement Through Necessary Due Process Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to make the following affirmative defenses available to a director, officer, or institution-affiliated party of an insured depository institution facing a civil action before a Federal banking agency or a court of jurisdiction: (1) business judgment; (2) regulatory approval; and (3) unforeseeable economic conditions. Sets forth a minimum standard for the order of production of personal financial information by a regulatory agency or court. Declares the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure relating to prejudgment attachment of assets applicable to Federal banking regulatory agencies. Prohibits the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from bringing a civil action under State law against an officer or director of an insured depository institution for monetary damages for losses due to a disregard of a duty of care unless the State standard for such duty is as great or greater than the Federal standard.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test Family, Investment, Retirement, Savings, and Tax Fairness Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Disallows the interest deduction for such property to ensure that equity financing receives the same treatment as debt financing. Provides special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax for 1994. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. Other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent. Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Truth in Voting Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for downward adjustments in Appropriations Committees allocations and suballocations when bills are passed that reduce appropriations and require rescissions. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide scorecards for such measures. Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Establishes conditions under which meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees may be closed to the public. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television or radio broadcast and still photography. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress as such Act applies to executive agencies. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule for the consideration of a measure commonly known as a "king of the hill" rule. Repeals rule XLIX (statutory limit on the public debt). Amends rule XXVIII to prohibit conference committee reports from funding any program or activity at a level higher than that contained in the bill or resolution as passed by the House or Senate or from funding any program not contained in such versions. Requires the President's annual budget to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report reported by a committee or considered on the floor. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that is not accompanied by such statement unless the point of order is waived by a two-thirds vote. Requires regulations and proposed regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to be accompanied by such statements as well.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 1993 - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities listed in, or designated by the Attorney General pursuant to, this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney's fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth procedures regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding, such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. Directs the Attorney General to periodically review the safe harbors and certificates of review. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program Title II: Paternity Establishment Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility Title V: Child Support Enforcement Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance Title IX: Miscellaneous Responsibility and Empowerment Support Program Providing Employment, Child Care, and Training Act - Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program - Amends part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give the JOBS program the new purpose of assuring that needy families with children obtain not only the education and training needed to prepare them for a life without welfare, but the work experience as well. (Sec. 101) Requires State JOBS programs to include a transition component and a work supplementation component that: (1) are each allowed to include any State work experience program approved by the Secretary; and (2) with respect to the first component, must include the State's job search program, and, with respect to the second component, may include the State's work supplementation or community work experience program. Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV to revise State AFDC plan participation requirements to incorporate participation in the two JOBS program components above under specified guidelines as a requirement for qualified individuals to receive AFDC. Imposes sanctions for a qualified individual's failure to participate in the JOBS program as required under such guidelines, which include a reduction in AFDC benefits and eventual benefit termination for repeated failures. Revises the exemptions from JOBS program participation requirements. Extends to all States the option to limit AFDC-UP. Increases State JOBS program and work program participation rates with regard to, respectively, AFDC-eligible individuals and unemployed parents. Provides for additional payments to States for JOBS programs. (Sec. 102) Amends community work experience and work supplementation program provisions. Title II: Paternity Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part A to: (1) provide for denial or reduction of AFDC for children whose paternity is not established; and (2) require unmarried individuals under 19 who are eligible for AFDC and are pregnant or with dependent children under their care to reside at home in order to receive AFDC. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to require earlier specified paternity establishment efforts by States. Expresses the encouragement of the Congress for States to develop procedures in public hospitals and clinics to facilitate the acknowledgment of paternity. (Sec. 204) Increases the paternity establishment percentage. Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States - Amends SSA title IV part A to give States the option to: (1) convert AFDC into a block grant program; (2) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC where either parent is a minor; (3) treat families moving interstate who apply for AFDC in their new State of residence (where they have resided for less than on year) under the AFDC rules of their former State of residence; (4) reduce AFDC for parents under 21 who have dropped out of school and dependent children who, without good cause, do not maintain minimum school attendance; (5) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC for additional children; (6) modify certain AFDC income disregard rules; (7) provide for a married couple transitional benefit in cases where an AFDC recipient marries an individual who is not a parent of the recipient's child, and the resulting family would become ineligible for AFDC by reason of the marriage; (8) disregard certain savings and income of a family on AFDC designated for education, training, employability, home purchase, or residence change in determining eligibility for AFDC; and (9) condition the receipt of AFDC on the recipient's attendance at parenting and money management classes and prior approval of any action requiring a change in the educational institution attended by the recipient's dependent child. Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility -Establishes an Interagency Waiver Request Board in order to provide a focal point within the Federal Government for the development and coordination of waiver requests to improve opportunities for low-income individuals and families. (Sec. 402) Prescribes contents of applications to implement Federal assistance plans, as well as the review, approval, implementation, and evaluation processes. (Sec. 405) Requires any entity applying for plan approval to establish a Public Private Partnership Committee to advise it on plan development and implementation. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Provides for a national system for employee reporting of any child support owed, the obligee involved, and other specified related information on W-4 forms for employer withholding and distribution of support owed, and reporting of related information to the State involved for availability to other States through the Interstate Locate Network established under this title. (Sec. 502) Makes various changes with regard to State child support order registries, the Parent Locater Service, regulations for sharing child support information, withholding orders, and noncustodial parents with child support arrearages who are receiving certain public welfare assistance. Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens - Makes aliens (except refugees, permanent residents, and certain current residents) ineligible for various specified types of public welfare assistance, including non-emergency related assistance under Medicaid, food stamps, and job training assistance. (Sec. 602) Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State AFDC agencies to provide information on illegal aliens to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), and other Federal law to establish various specified measures for controlling welfare costs, including Federal spending caps. Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977, National School Lunch Act, Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987, and other specified Federal laws and replaces them with a: (1) State food assistance block grant program to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families (eligible populations); and (2) new food coupon program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commodity Credit Corporation the authority to sell surplus commodities and foodstuffs to the States to provide food assistance to eligible populations. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Amends SSA title IV part A to require AFDC applicants and recipients to undergo any necessary substance abuse treatment as a condition of receiving AFDC. (Sec. 902) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) make ineligible for SSI benefits individuals receiving SSI on the basis of a disability resulting from illegal drug addiction who continue to use illegal drugs or refuse to be tested for them; and (2) make representative payee changes. (Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct research projects to evaluate the impact of education and training programs on the ability of individuals to end participation in the AFDC program; (2) conduct demonstration projects and report to the Congress on whether providing benefits based on need through the use of electronic cards and automatic teller machines would reduce administrative costs and fraud; and (3) establish a commission to determine the cost and feasibility of creating an interstate system to compare the social security numbers of all AFDC recipients in order to identify those recipients receiving AFDC from multiple States. (Sec. 904) Amends SSA to require State AFDC applicants to participate in job search activities while the application is pending, unless a State by law exempts itself from this requirement. (Sec. 906) Public Housing Rent Reform and Empowerment Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with regard to the determination of income and rent charges. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allow, upon request, under certain circumstances, a public housing agency or resident management corporation to carry out a demonstration program to determine the feasibility and desirability of providing such entities with the authority to establish policies for agency-administered public housing projects, without regard to the public housing requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 907) Amends SSA title IV part A to deny AFDC for certain children who have not received appropriate medical examinations and immunizations. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act with regard to childhood immunizations. Requires the Surgeon General to issue and periodically revise recommendations for the immunization of children under age six.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to prohibit use of National Endowment for the Arts funds to assist financially any project, production, workshop, or program that depicts or describes in a patently offensive way: (1) sexual or excretory activities or organs; or (2) religion or religious symbols.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
United States Military Academy Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins emblematic of the U.S. Military Academy. Mandates that surcharges collected from coin sales be paid to the Association of Graduates, U.S. Military Academy, to assist its efforts to provide direct support to the Corps of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
Amends rule XLIX of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to pass or adopt any bill, joint resolution, or conference report thereon increasing the statutory limit on the public debt except by an affirmative two-thirds roll call vote. Authorizes the House to waive these provisions for any fiscal year during which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1993
Federal Mandate Reduction, Reform, and Budget Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set forth reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) with respect to reducing the direct costs to States and local governments of complying with Federal mandates. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to provide for such reductions until such costs do not exceed three percent of the estimated gross national product for the same fiscal year as the costs will be incurred. Requires CBO to prepare an analysis of mandated costs for States and local governments for each public bill or resolution reported in the Congress (except those from Appropriations Committees). Requires a similar analysis in the President's annual budget submissions. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses for proposed rules that establish or implement new Federal mandates to contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs to be incurred by State and local governments. Requires Federal agencies to prepare a cost estimate and cost benefit analysis of such mandates that would cost State and local governments at least $10 million for a fiscal year.
![Official portrait of Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000174_200.jpg)