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United States · Official source
4,107 records where Rep. Mitchell, Parren J. [D-MD-7] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition. Requires an annual report from such committee, including a summary of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that public utilities and the private sector should establish programs to assist low-income individuals in meeting heating fuel and weatherization costs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should appoint a special envoy to investigate and report on how the United States could assist interested parties in Belfast, Dublin, London, and communities in Northern Ireland in arriving at a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1984
Victims of Crime Act of 1984 - Establishes within the Treasury the Crime Victims Fund. Requires that the Fund consist of: (1) most fines collected in Federal criminal cases; (2) penalty assessments on convicted persons; and (3) proceeds of all forfeitures (appearance bonds, bail bonds and collateral) in Federal criminal cases. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualified State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. Specifies criteria for a State plan to qualify for grants, including requirements that the program: (1) offer compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and funeral expenses; (2) condition compensation on cooperation with law enforcement officials; (3) shall not use Federal funds to supplant State funds; and (4) shall not discriminate against nonresident victims. Allows the Attorney General to make grants to the chief executive of each State for the financial support of crime assistance programs. States that such programs must have as a priority assistance to victims of sexual assault, spousal abuse or child abuse. Requires the Federal courts to impose a penalty assessment on all persons convicted of Federal offenses. Establishes a procedure for the special forfeiture of collateral profits of certain crimes (such as the sale of media rights). Authorizes the Attorney General to pay restitution to any victim (or compensation to the survivors of a victim) of a crime causing injury or death which is committed by a federally protected witness. Sets a maximum of $50,000 in death compensation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and years following.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1984
Amends the Senate amendment to H.R. 4209 (small business and Government procurement).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1984
Requires that every obligation of the United States be issued in registered form. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the issuance in bearer form of securities which are interests in U.S. Government-backed securities. Imposes a three percent excise tax on the issuer of registration-required U.S. Government-backed securities which are not issued in registered form. Provides that the issue price of any U.S. Government-backed security shall be treated as the principal amount of the obligation. Imposes a 30 percent withholding tax on interest received by foreigners from U.S. Government-backed securities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1984
Steel Import Stabilization Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should implement the national policy for the steel industry in a manner that restores the foreign share of the U.S. market for carbon and alloy steel products to approximately 17 percent; (2) the national policy for the steel industry should not be implemented in a manner contrary to the antitrust laws; and (3) if the national policy for the steel industry does not produce satisfactory results within a reasonable time, the Congress will consider taking legislative actions to stabilize conditions in the domestic market for steel and iron ore products. Defines the national policy for the steel industry as those actions and elements described in Executive Communication 4046, dated September 18, 1984. Authorizes the President, subject to specified conditions, to carry out such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to enforce the quantitative limitations and restrictions contained in each bilateral arrangement (an arrangement made to implement the national policy for the steel industry) or other export measure required by a foreign government or customs union. Directs the President, in applying such authority, to cover all categories of carbon and steel alloy products, to avoid distortions among those categories, and to include all exporting countries and customs unions from which there are or have been surges in exports of those products to the United States. Terminates the authority of the President to carry out such actions: (1) five years after the effective date of this Act; or (2) at the close of the first, second, third, or fourth anniversary of such date unless the President submits a specified affirmative annual determination before each such anniversary to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines an affirmative annual determination as a determination by the President that during the past year the steel industry has: (1) invested substantially all of its net cash flow from carbon and alloy steel product operations for purposes of reinvestment in, and modernization of, that industry; and (2) taken sufficient action to maintain its international competitiveness. Prohibits the President from finding compliance with the reinvestment and modernization requirement unless: (1) each major company with significant reinvestment or modernization needs has committed all of its net cash flow (except that required for retraining) from carbon and alloy steel product operations during the applicable 12-month period to meet those needs; and (2) each major company that has or reasonably anticipates significant unemployment in such operations has committed for the applicable 12-month period not less than one percent of such net cash flow to the retraining of workers, including those laid off at any time since January 1, 1982. Directs the President in making such determination to take into account such information as may be available from the U.S. International Trade Commission and other appropriate sources. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report to Congress, within six months of the effective date of this Act, a plan for assisting workers in communities that are adversely affected by imports of carbon and alloy steel products. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through FY 1987 trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1984
Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984
Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1984 - Provides for the establishment of a comprehensive freeze by the United States and the Soviet Union on the testing, production, and deployment of any nuclear weapon, delivery system, or any subsystem or component for a nuclear warhead, weapon, or delivery system (the comprehensive freeze). Directs the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Requires such committees to report to their respective Houses within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. verification procedures. Sets forth information to be included in the report. Requires the Director of the Arms Control Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for U.S. implementation of the comprehensive freeze within 120 days of enactment of this Act. Directs the Director to submit the plan to specified congressional committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Declares that the President should: (1) invite the Soviet Union to participate in a comprehensive bilateral and verifiable nuclear weapons freeze; and (2) encourage the Soviet Union to write to the United States whether it intends to implement the comprehensive freeze. Requires the President, 120 days after enactment of this Act, to direct the implementation by the United States of the comprehensive freeze which shall continue so long and to the extent that the Soviet Union acts in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the nature of Soviet noncompliance with the freeze, all relevant evidence, and his recommendations for the U.S. response if the President finds evidence that the Soviet Union is not acting in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to report a bill setting forth the extent to which the United States should modify its participation in the comprehensive freeze. Declares that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin nuclear arms reduction negotiations as soon as the comprehensive freeze is implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984
National Child Protection Act - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to add provisions for licensing and information with respect to providers of child day care services. Requires, as a condition for receiving any funds under title XX, that a State have a program in effect which meets specified requirements. Requires the State to require the licensing and monitoring of all providers of child day care services in accordance with standards established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the State to provide information to the Secretary with respect to: (1) all individuals providing child day care services or employed by providers of child day care services; and (2) all individuals convicted of child abuse, child molesting, or similar crimes. Requires the State to have in effect a toll-free telephone hotline for the reporting of any allegations of child abuse, child molestation, or similar acts committed by any individual providing child day care services or by any employee of a provider of child day care services. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and guidelines for State licensing and monitoring of providers of child day care services. Requires that such standards and guidelines: (1) assure the children's safety, health, and developmental potential and promote their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth; and (2) assure that only adequately trained individuals provide such services. Directs the Secretary to determine a uniform definition of "child day care services" and of "provider of child day care services" to apply for purposes of this Act and to assure that the maximum feasible number of children shall be protected under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a national file of the names, addresses, and social security numbers of all individuals convicted of crimes involving child abuse, child molestation, or such similar acts which the Secretary determines ought to be included in such file to protect children receiving child day care services. Requires each State to report to the Secretary such information on any individual convicted in that State of such acts which the Secretary has determined ought to be included in the national file. Directs the Secretary to establish a uniform reporting system which shall apply to all States for such purpose. Requires each State to prohibit any individual or provider from being licensed to provide child day care services in such State if such individual, or any employee of such provider, has been convicted of a crime which has been reported by any State to the Secretary and is contained in the national file. Requires each State, prior to granting such a license, to request the Secretary to check the names of each individual seeking a license to provide child day care services, and each employee of a provider seeking such a license, against the list of names contained in the national file. Requires each State to establish a toll-free telephone hotline for the reporting of any allegations of child abuse, child molestation, or any similar act designated by the Secretary for inclusion in the national file, committed by an individual providing child day care services, or by an employee of a provider of such services. Requires the State to provide follow-up investigation of each such allegation in accordance with standards established by the Secretary under regulations. Establishes an Advisory Panel on Child Protection to advise the Secretary on the standards and guidelines issued under this Act and to recommend appropriate changes in such standards and guidelines. Sets forth provisions relating to Panel membership and assistance. Directs the Secretary to promulgate all regulations required under this Act within 90 days after the enactment of this Act. Makes the requirements of this Act applicable to States beginning 180 days after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1984
Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of Agriculture for famine relief. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 to the Agency for International Development for: (1) agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs; (2) health programs; (3) energy and development programs to address the longer-term development needs created by refugees and displaced persons in Africa; and (4) international disaster assistance. Requires such funds to be available for obligation and expenditure notwithstanding specified limitations on foreign assistance appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1984
Overseas Teachers Act of 1984 - Amends the Defense Department Overseas Teachers Pay and Personnel Practices Act to entitle an individual who is recruited outside the United States as a teacher in a Department of Defense overseas dependents school to the same benefits as an individual recruited in the United States. Denies such entitlement to any individual who is the spouse of a member of a uniformed service, unless: (1) the individual is legally separated from the member; (2) the member dies or has retired from Government service; (3) the individual no longer resides with the member because the member has been reassigned to another geographic area for more than 90 days; or (4) the member's benefits comparable to a teacher's quarters allowance and cost of living benefits have been terminated for any other reason. Provides that such a teaching position shall include a position for which teaching duties and responsibilities are performed: (1) in a substitute capacity; (2) as a summer teacher; (3) as an instructor for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; (4) as a paraprofessional or teacher aide; (5) for a definite term not to exceed one school year in the excepted service; or (6) for an indefinite term in the excepted service. Entitles an overseas teacher to 12 (currently ten) days of cumulative leave with pay if the school year exceeds eight months. Eliminates the limitation on the amount of leave a teacher may accumulate. Permits the use of leave for paternity purposes. Entitles a teacher to an additional three days of leave to use for any purpose during the school year if the teacher provides appropriate advance notice. Entitles a teacher who is separated from such leave system to elect to: (1) receive a lump sum payment for such leave if the separation exceeds 31 days; or (2) receive credit for such leave as unused sick leave for purposes of determining the amount of a civil service retirement annuity. Entitles a Federal or District of Columbia employee who is transferred, promoted, or reappointed to a teaching position to: (1) receive a lump sum pay for the annual leave credited to such employee before he or she became a teacher; or (2) be recredited with such leave upon returning to a Federal or District of Columbia position without a break in service. Requires the Director of Dependents' Education, upon appropriate application, to grant any full-time teacher who has completed at least seven years of service a sabbatical with full pay for up to one year to enable the teacher to engage in study or uncompensated work experience which will contribute to the development of the teacher's skills, provided: (1) the teacher has not been granted a sabbatical during the preceding seven years; and (2) the teacher agrees to serve in a teaching position for three consecutive years. Requires the Secretary of Defense to prescribe a five-level pay system for overseas teachers. Requires determinations concerning appropriate pay levels to be based on the length of service of an individual as a teacher, counselor, psychologist, or social worker within the defense education system. Requires rates of basic pay within level I to be equal to the average of the range of rates of basic pay for comparable positions in school jurisdictions in the United States having an average daily attendance of 100,000 or more students. Directs the Secretary to modify regulations concerning teacher compensation to require a teacher to be compensated for the appropriate fraction of his or her pay for each day of service during a school year exceeding the number of days comprising a school year in such a jurisdiction. Requires determinations concerning housing, transportation, services, or use of Government facilities for teachers at certain pay levels to correspond to such determinations for commissioned officers in the Armed Forces in equivalent grade levels, except that pay level I determinations shall correspond to grade level two determinations. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out specified overseas teacher requirements concerning: (1) the effect of administrative delays on starting dates; (2) a per diem allowance for travel to and from a duty station; (3) Government reimbursement for emergency transportation costs; (4) school assignments based on staffing requirements; (5) medical and dental benefits; (6) Government payments for the transportation of household goods; (7) service creditable for purposes of determining civil service annuities; (8) eligibility for military-controlled housing; (9) hours of duty; (10) leaves of absence; (11) qualifications and eligibility for vacancies within the system; (12) administrative leave during periods of inclement weather; and (13) class size limitations. Provides that any teacher who has served for at least three school years shall be eligible for appointment as a Federal employee in the competitive service on a non-competitive basis.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1984
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invite each State having an approved plan under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to submit an application to establish and conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of testing whether the provision of mandatory education or vocational training (or both) for the caretaker parents of dependent children under six years of age in families receiving AFDC would enable such families to leave the AFDC rolls quickly and assist such parents in securing long-term gainful employment at earnings levels sufficient to maintain their families without public assistance. Requires any State desiring to establish and conduct such a demonstration project to submit an application to the Secretary within six-months after the enactment of this Act. Requires the application to include assurances that the proposed project would be permitted under applicable State and local law. Directs the Secretary to consider all applications submitted and to approve ten of the proposed projects within nine months after the enactment of this Act. Requires six of the approved projects to be located in urban areas and four to be located in predominantly rural areas. Prohibits the approval of a project unless: (1) it is of sufficient size and scope to demonstrate program and cost effectiveness and to permit the drawing of valid inferences for evaluation and permit the drawing of valid inferences for evaluation and policy recommendations; (2) it will be conducted for a period of not less than three nor more than five years; (3) it covers all caretaker parents in families which are eligible for aid under the applicable State plan and which include one or more children under six years of age; and (4) it complies fully with all other requirements and will contribute to the purposes of this Act. Defines "caretaker parent" to mean the parent of a dependent child under age six with whom such child is living, who is personally providing care for such child, who is eligible for AFDC, and who is or would be exempt from the manpower services, training, and employment registration requirements because that parent personally provides care for such child. Directs a State, in conducting an approved demonstration project to: (1) offer each caretaker parent in a jurisdiction involved an opportunity to participate in the project; (2) establish an individualized program for the education or vocational training of each participating caretaker parent; and (3) permit such parent to receive education or training under the program so established (from the time the youngest child in the care of such parent is six-months old, or earlier with a physician's written permission) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient, the parent is no longer a caretaker parent, or the family has become ineligible for aid. Permits a State to make participation in the project by caretaker parents in the State mandatory rather than voluntary. Permits a jurisdiction within a State to make participation mandatory, if the State does not exercise its option. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved demonstration project 90 percent of the costs incurred by the State in establishing and carrying out such project. Requires the remainder of the costs incurred to be paid from non-Federal sources. Requires the education or training for caretaker parents in such program to meet the following requirements: (1) for caretaker parents without a high school diploma; (2) after receipt of such diploma (or in the case of an individual already having a high school diploma or better), the caretaker parent must participate in an approved post-secondary education program, an approved vocational education program, or a program of employment and training under auspices of the Job Training Partnership Act; (3) the award of an academic scholarship to a caretaker parent shall not result in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program, so long as the scholarship payments are made directly to the appropriate educational institution; (4) the education and training must include instruction in family management and life skills, employment and job search training, career counseling, and community-supported recreational activities; (5) appropriate English language and adjustment training must be provided for caretaker parents from immigrant groups who have language or cultural adjustment difficulties; (6) special training must be provided for physically handicapped participants; (7) education and training for each participate in the project must be provided for at least 20 hours per week and must be coordinated with available child care services; (8) any caretaker parent who has completed all of the education and training required by this Act shall remain a participant in the project for 20 hours a week of job search and placement assistance (with associated child care) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient, the parent is no longer a caretaker parent, or the family has become ineligible for AFDC. Provides that in the case of a caretaker parent who ceases to be a participant in the project because he or she has completed all of the education and training required by this Act and has become employed: (1) the parent will be provided with child care services, as necessary, without charge for a six-month period, and for an additional six-month period subject to the payment of a gradually increasing portion of the cost of such services; and (2) the parent shall be considered for a 12-month period to be still a project participant for purposes of receiving Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act). Requires all of the child care and transportation which is necessary for a caretaker parent to participate in a demonstration project to be included, without charge to the caretaker parent, as a part of the project. Requires each approved project to be designed so as to provide an effective demonstration of: (1) the planning and design of quality and cost-effective approaches to child and infant care, utilizing group services provided by the participants themselves or utilizing any other child care services which may be available; (2) the cost-effective utilization of existing publicly-funded educational, vocational, and other training programs; (3) coordination with other community service providers, including job developers; and (4) cost- effective and creative approaches to the utilization of transportation facilities. Prohibits participation in an approved project by a caretaker parent from resulting in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program. Provides that if any caretaker parent refuses to undergo any education or training required by this Act or otherwise fails to participate in an approved demonstration project, without a reasonable basis for such refusal or failure as determined on medical, psychological, psychiatric, or other grounds by an appropriate licensed practitioner in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (subject to a State being granted a waiver): (1) such parent's needs shall not be taken into account in determining need under AFDC with respect to the parent's family; and (2) any AFDC payments shall be made in the form of protective payments. Permits any State whose application for a demonstration project is approved to submit to the Secretary a request for the waiver of any requirement which would otherwise apply with respect to the project under title XI or title IV of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary, if authorized, to approve the request upon a determination that the waiver is necessary in order for the project to accomplish its purpose. Requires each approved demonstration project to have a voluntary advisory group to assist in developing the program and in monitoring the project. Sets forth reporting requirements (including reports to Congress). Requires each State in which a demonstration project is located to submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require concerning a project. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, in recognition of his work on behalf of veterans who served in Vietnam. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families With Children and for Child-Welfare Services), V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to strike out the words "crippled" and "crippling" wherever they appear and insert instead the words "handicapped" and "disability," respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a clinical trial in order to determine the efficiency and economic feasibility of providing Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) coverage for personal emergency response systems. Requires each personal emergency response system to include, for purposes of the clinical trial: (1) communication equipment located in the home which transmits signals for emergency medical assistance over the telephone; (2) a local response center to monitor such signals; and (3) medical personnel or other persons to provide emergency medical assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress a report containing the findings and conclusions of the clinical trial, along with any legislative recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Military Selective Service Act to eliminate the requirement that persons under the age of 21 register for military service while there remains in effect a reduction in Federal highway aid to States which have not established a minimum drinking age of 21.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1985 to require that: (1) at least five percent of the funds earmarked for the Agency for International Development shall be available only for the delivery of primary health care services and basic health education, training for health care workers, and medical supplies and equipment for primary health care, with such assistance to be provided through private and voluntary organizations and international organizations wherever appropriate; (2) not more than one-third of the amount allocated for such services may be used in any one country; and (3) funds allocated to carry out these provisions shall remain available until September 30, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1984
Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984 to limit eligibility for commemorative bronze medals for families of American personnel missing in Southeast Asia to families of those listed as missing or unaccounted for as of the end of U.S. participation in hostilities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1984
Designates the week of September 23, 1984, as National Historically Black Colleges Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
War Powers Act of 1984 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to rename the resolution the War Powers Act. Authorizes U.S. armed forces, in the absence of a congressional declaration of war, to be introduced into hostilities or into a situation where the imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, only: (1) to repel an attack upon the United States, to take retaliatory actions in the event of such an attack, and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (2) to repel an attack against U.S. armed forces located outside the United States and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (3) to protect U.S. citizens while evacuating them from a country where they are being subject to a direct and imminent threat to their lives either sponsored by the country's government or beyond the power of such government to control, provided the President shall make every effort to terminate the threat without using U.S. armed forces and provided that the President shall where possible obtain the consent of the government before using U.S. armed forces; or (4) pursuant to specific statutory authorization. Requires the President to report to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate whenever U.S. armed forces are introduced into hostilities or into one of the other situations listed above. Requires the President to report to Congress at least once every six months for as long as U.S. armed forces are engaged in hostilities outside the United States. Limits the length of time that U.S. armed forces may be used in hostilities or in such situations to 30 days unless Congress enacts a law providing otherwise. Permits Congress by law or joint resolution to terminate U.S. involvement before the expiration of the 30 days. Provides for expedited consideration of proposals to continue or terminate the use of U.S. armed forces in such situations. States that statutory authorization either for introducing U.S. armed forces into or for sustaining their use in hostilities or situations where imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred from: (1) any provisions of law unless such provision specifically authorizes such introduction or use of the armed forces and states that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act; or (2) any treaty unless the treaty is implemented by a law specifically authorizing such introduction or use of such armed forces and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act. Permits U.S. armed forces to participate jointly with members of military forces of other countries in high-level military commands that were established before enactment of this Act and pursuant to a treaty which was ratified before such enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
Fair Reduction-in-Force Practices Act of 1984 - Prohibits any executive agency, the Government Printing Office, or the Library of Congress from conducting a reduction in force unless it cannot respond to the reason for the need for a proposed reduction in force by: (1) instituting general cost-reduction measures; (2) establishing practical programs for eliminating inefficient or wasteful agency practices; (3) transferring funds between agency programs and activities; (4) reassigning employees to other positions within the agency, positions funded by trust or revolving fund accounts, or positions with a State or local government; (5) transferring or detailing employees; or (6) limiting the hours of intermittent employees and reducing the use of temporary employees. Requires an agency head to notify the exclusive representative of any unit having an employee who would be affected by a proposed reduction in force of any determination of a need for a reduction in force. Sets forth procedures governing collective bargaining over a reduction in force. Prohibits an agency from conducting a reduction in force unless: (1) after satisfying the previous requirements of this Act, it submits a report concerning the proposed reduction in force to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (2) OPM certifies on the basis of such report that the requirements of this Act have been met. Requires the report to OPM to: (1) describe the actions to be taken, the reasons the reduction in force is necessary, all alternatives and proposals considered and implemented, and the anticipated impact of the proposed reduction in force on the operations and management of the agency; (2) provide any views and recommendations submitted by employee or management representatives; (3) indicate the estimated total cost to the Government of the proposed reduction in force; and (4) compare the estimated savings, over three years, anticipated through the proposed reduction in force with the estimated savings anticipated through the alternatives and proposals considered and implemented. Requires such reports to be submitted to specified congressional committees and made available to certain subcommittees. Permits an agency to issue notice of a proposed reduction in force to employees no earlier than ten days after OPM certifies that the requirements of this Act have been met. Entitles an affected employee to at least 30 days' advance notice. Requires such notice to specify: (1) the personnel action to be taken and its effective date; (2) the information used in determining the employee's standing in the competition for retention; (3) the place where and time when the employee may inspect records pertaining to his or her case; (4) any exceptions to the general order of release; and (5) the employee's right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board or to use any negotiated grievance procedure available. Directs OPM to establish a Government-wide placement register for each occupational category. Requires the name of each employee specifically notified of a reduction in force to be placed on the register for each occupation for which the employee is qualified. Directs OPM to prescribe regulations prohibiting an agency from filling a vacant position by a new appointment, transfer, reemployment, reassignment, or promotion unless the agency determines that there is no qualified individual on the appropriate register. Directs OPM to match each individual on the register with the available position for which the individual is best suited and, if the individual is qualified for more than one position, with the position which would be the least disruptive for the individual (considering the duties, pay, work schedule, and location of the position). Requires each individual to be offered an appointment to the position to which he or she has been matched unless the agency offering such position objects on the ground that appointment of another person is necessary to prevent substantial disruption to an essential agency function or to increase the percentage of women and minorities in the work force to the percentage as of April 1, 1981. Entitles an individual to remain on appropriate placement registers and to be considered for employment for two years. Requires the individual's name to be removed from such registers if: (1) the individual requests that he or she no longer be considered for employment; (2) the personnel action under the proposed reduction in force does not take effect; (3) the individual accepts an offer of an appointment under this Act; or (4) the individual is offered a position within the same commuting area and with the same pay, grade, and work schedule as the position from which the individual was released. Entitles individuals who have been affected by or notified of a reduction in force since April 1, 1981, to be placed on registers upon application. Requires OPM to prescribe regulations prohibiting an agency from filling a vacant position by new appointment, transfer, reemployment, reassignment, or promotion, even if there is no qualified individual on the retention registers, if there is available a person who, notwithstanding any minimum qualification requirements for the position: (1) receives specific notice of a proposed reduction in force and applies for consideration for vacant positions; (2) meets the educational requirements for the position; and (3) can reasonably be expected to satisfactorily perform the duties of such position within 180 days of appointment (with training, if necessary). Prohibits an agency from evaluating the performance of such an employee before 180 days after the employee is appointed. Allows the agency, after such period, to remove such employee for unacceptable performance. Disqualifies from such assignment program any individual who fails to achieve an acceptable performance rating in two consecutive positions. Permits individuals who have been notified of or affected by a reduction in force since April 1, 1981, to be assigned under such program upon application. Directs OPM to require agencies to transmit, at least monthly, a list of the employees notified of a reduction in force and a list of positions the agency plans to fill during the next six months. Requires OPM to make a list of all such positions available to such employees for inspection. Requires OPM to submit biannual reports to the President and to specified congressional committees on the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Sets forth requirements concerning the contents of such reports.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Provides that presidential primaries shall be held only during specified months in the year of the presidential election. Directs the Attorney General of the United States to seek compliance with this Act in Federal district court.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Construction Industry Labor Law Amendments of 1984 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that in the construction industry two or more business entities engaged in the same or similar work with common ownership or control shall be deemed a single employer. Applies the terms of a collective bargaining agreement regarding employees of such business entities to all other business entities comprising the same single employer within the geographical area covered by the agreement. States that collective bargaining agreements may only be repudiated after the National Labor Relations Board certifies election results in which a majority of the employees select a bargaining representative other than the representative with whom such agreement was made.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to eliminate reductions in cost of living increases for railroad retirees, and railroad spouse and survivors' annuities, as a result of increases in certain social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for damaging or destroying any cemetery, religious building, or any religious article contained in such a building, or interfering with any person freely exercising his religion.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Taiwan should continue and accelerate progress toward a democratic system by ending martial law and by releasing political prisoners and otherwise guaranteeing and protecting the rights of the Taiwan people.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1984
Establishes a minimum monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain pre-World War II war veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitations on the aggregate amount of private activity bonds issued during any calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and urges the President to withdraw her appointment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1984
Amends the Small Business Act to increase the program levels for FY 1984 for: (1) loans made by the Small Business Administration to handicapped persons and organizations for the handicapped; and (2) direct purchases and guarantees of debentures and purchases of preferred securities with respect to certain small business investment company programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1984
Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1984 - Amends the Education of the Handicapped Act to authorize the award of a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs to a parent or legal representative of a handicapped child or youth who is the prevailing party in a civil suit under such Act to protect the child's right to a free appropriate public education. Provides that such amendment shall apply to actions and proceedings brought on or after July 4, 1984, and actions and proceedings brought prior to such date which were pending on such date. Provides that nothing in the Education of the Handicapped Act shall be construed to restrict or limit the rights procedures and remedies under the Constitution, title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or other Federal statutes prohibiting discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
State and Local Narcotics Control Assistance Act of 1984 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States to assist States and local governments to increase their drug enforcement activities. Requires such grants to be based on the relative needs of the States, taking into consideration the severity of drug trafficking and abuse and the availability of State and local resources to resolve such problems. Establishes a procedure for grant applications. Requires such an application to include a State-wide strategy for the enforcement of State drug laws. Imposes limitations on the use of such grants, including a maximum ten percent allocation for administrative purposes. Requires each State which receives a grant to submit a yearly report to the Attorney General, who shall in turn report to Congress with respect to such grants. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for developing more effective drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs. Establishes a procedure for grant applications. Authorizes appropriations for both grant programs for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State plan for medical assistance to provide assistance for outpatient prescribed drugs and other items for individuals who are 65 or older and who are U.S. citizens in the United States or resident aliens and who have incomes below a certain level and are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the State medical plan if: (1) the State has in effect a law permitting a licensed pharmacist to substitute a less expensive interchangeable drug for another drug unless a licensed physician provides that a substitution is medically inappropriate; and (2) the State plan provides that the amount of payment will not exceed the cost of the least expensive interchangeable drug. Sets forth requirements governing amounts of payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for informing individuals who are 65 or older and who are entitled to Medicare benefits of the benefits available under this Act in States which have elected to have a program of pharmaceutical assistance for the aged pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to promulgate final regulations by September 1, 1985, to provide for State implementation of this Act. Provides that this Act shall apply to medical assistance furnished with respect to outpatient prescribed drugs furnished on or after October 1, 1985. Directs the Secretary to maintain statistical records on State programs of pharmaceutical assistance to the aged to determine the effectiveness and impact of such programs. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the programs when the FY 1987 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services is transmitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Cities to examine, review, and analyze needs of urban areas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that American artists and athletes who decline to participate in cultural and sports activities in South Africa because of that country's apartheid system are to be commended. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of State should: (1) inform U.S. artists and athletes who request information on travel to South Africa for such activities that the U.S. Government discourages such travel; (2) confirm U.S. opposition toward recognition of the so-called independent homelands; and (3) express its sympathy with the victims of apartheid by voting in favor of U.N. resolutions that seek to mobilize activities by cultural and sports personalities against apartheid.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) State constitutions and county and city charters should reflect the right of pretrial detainees, convicted misdemeanants, and persons appealing convictions to register and to vote; (2) all registrars should provide adequate voter registration and voting accessibility (voting booths and absentee ballots) to such persons; (3) parole and probation boards consider the rehabilitative value of voting in probation and parole determinations; and (4) voter education for such persons be encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Title I: Supplemental Benefits - Establishes a Federal supplemental benefit program for death or disability caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Provides guidelines for: (1) the calculation of benefits in proportion to disability; (2) payment methods; and (3) payment priorities. Exempts such supplemental benefits from: (1) any tax or legal process; and (2) any offset for administrative benefits under State or Federal law. Sets guidelines for the offset of supplemental benefits where reorganization or liquidation proceedings occur under Federal bankruptcy laws. Makes supplemental benefits payable only out of the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund established by this Act. Conditions eligibility for supplemental benefits upon such benefits' being the exclusive remedy of an individual for occupational exposure to asbestos. Prescribes guidelines for the filing and payment of asbestos-related disease claims. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to apply by analogy specified portions of the Social Security Act when making determinations of: (1) entitlement to benefits; (2) review of claims; and (3) delegations of authority to State agencies. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to determine annually the average weekly wage for manufacturing workers in each State. Requires such determinations to govern decisions regarding all claims filed in the following calendar year. Requires the Secretary to rely upon: (1) prior court decisions regarding a claimant; (2) prior determinations by the appropriate workers' compensation program regarding specified eligibility criteria. Specifies exceptions. Requires the Secretary to apply the appropriate workers' compensation law when reviewing supplemental benefit claims. Creates within the Department of Health and Human Services the National Medical Panel on Asbestos-Related Diseases to: (1) decide which diseases belong to the list of asbestos-related diseases; (2) review claims to determine whether a person's disease was caused by asbestos exposure; and (3) publish certain Medical Assessment Guidance Documents. Provides guidelines for the appointment of medical scientists to the Panel from certain organizations. Directs the Panel to promulgate a list of asbestos-related diseases and to provide explanations of any decisions to include or omit a disease from such list. Outlines conditions under which the Panel shall review claims for asbestos-related diseases which do not appear on the panel's list of diseases. Requires the Panel to determine within a specified time whether the disease in the referred claim should be included on such list. Requires the Panel to publish Medical Assessment Guidance Documents including specific medical diagnostic criteria to aid parties and decisionmakers determine whether a death or disability was caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Title II: Finance - Prescribes guidelines under which: (1) assessments are imposed against each asbestos defendant; (2) assessment allocation factors are assigned to asbestos defendants; (3) assessments are imposed against asbestos insurance policies; and (4) assessments are imposed against companies undergoing Federal bankruptcy proceedings. Sets the aggregate semiannual assessment on defendants in 1985 and 1986 at $150,000,000. Imposes interest upon assessments not paid by the due date. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) conduct studies determining assessment allocation factor amounts and assessment apportionment ratios; and (2) promulgate compliance regulations. States that assessment payments do not prejudice the right to recover or challenge such payments. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments imposed upon either an asbestos defendant or an asbestos insurance policy, for Federal income tax purposes, as ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in carrying on the trade or business, on the one hand, and insurance contract losses, on the other. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments as miscellaneous excise taxes. Establishes in the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund (the Trust Fund). Details the manner in which such Trust Fund shall be funded and administered. Makes the Secretary of the Treasury the Managing Trustee, and delineates trustee functions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and subsequent years. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund Conservation Committee (the Committee) comprised of the Managing Trustee and five public members appointed by the President. Includes among the consultation and review functions of such Committee: (1) claim disposition; (2) grant and contract awards; and (3) claims and assessments analysis. Directs the Committee to submit an annual report to the Congress regarding the performance of its responsibilities. Authorizes the Committee, with the advice and assistance of the Secretary of Labor, to instruct the Managing Trustee to award grants and contracts to specified organizations for the purpose of: (1) improving State workers' compensation programs; (2) assuring the availability of medical specialists to assist government agencies; (3) establishing medical evaluation units to determine occupational sources of asbestos-related diseases; and (4) medical treatment research. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes the supplemental benefits under this Act and the applicable workers' compensation programs the exclusive remedy for occupational exposure to asbestos. Exempts certain persons from liability for occupational exposure to asbestos. Removes jurisdiction from State or Federal tribunals to adjudicate any claim of liability for occupational exposure to asbestos after enactment of this Act. Confers jurisdiction for judicial review of administrative acts under this Act only upon the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Confers jurisdiction for questions of assessments and constitutionality under this Act only upon a special three-judge district court established in the District Court for the District of Columbia. Requires all administrative costs and expenses of this Act to be paid out of the Trust Fund. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Labor, of the Treasury, and the Attorney General to submit an analysis and certification of their respective costs under this Act to the Managing Trustee for reimbursement.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the collection of information by the Department of Health and Human Services in order to determine what information is being collected from the same class of individuals more than once. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such study by a specified date. Requires that such report include detailed recommendations for collecting information more efficiently and reducing information collection that is duplicative.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Health Effects of Radiation Research Act of 1984 - Transfers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority of the Secretary of Energy to conduct epidemiological studies of radiation effects. Establishes an advisory panel comprised of individuals representing: (1) public interest groups; (2) experts in epidemiological studies of radiation effects upon health; and (3) public health officials.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Breast Cancer Treatment Informed Consent Act - Requires any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under the preventive health service provisions of the Public Health Service Act to require any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in such State to inform any breast cancer patient of alternative methods of treatment for breast cancer before such treatment is begun. Requires that the patients be informed by means of: (1) a standardized written summary in layman's language and in a language understood by the patient of alternative methods of treatment; and (2) an explanation of the treatment options described in such written summary together with the risks associated with each procedure relative to each patient's particular medical circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Authorizes election agencies to mail voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and certain related materials free of postage. Declares that this Act does not apply to mail matter transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Establishes a pilot program for fellowships under the House of Representatives for persons who are blind or deaf. Requires the Committee on House Administration to report to the House on the effectiveness of, and the desirability of, continuing such program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Commission for the Study of Suicide Act of 1984 - Establishes the Commission for the Study of Suicide to develop a national plan regarding the causes of and treatment strategies for suicide. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President and the Congress a detailed report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations by a certain date. Terminates the Commission by a certain date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Requests the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards, particularly the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Designates the week of October 14 through October 21, 1984, as National Housing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1984
Requires each Federal agency procurement contract to prohibit the contractor from employing any Government employee who performed a Government procurement function with that contractor for the term of the contract or five years following the date the employee is separated from Government service, whichever period ends later. Allows an agency head to waive such prohibition with respect to an individual if the agency head considers the employment of that individual by the contractor to be essential for national security purposes. Requires such waiver to be published in the Federal Register or approved in advance by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). Penalizes a contractor an amount equal to the annual rate of compensation of the individual employed in violation of this Act for each day of such employment. Requires each contractor to send an annual report listing each former Government employee hired by that contractor within the previous five years to the agency by which each employee was last employed. Directs the Inspector General of each such agency to review the report to identify any violation of this Act. Requires the Director of OGE to: (1) conduct an annual random survey of the reports to check for violations of this Act; and (2) report to Congress annually on his or her findings and on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1984
Designates July 9, 1984, as African Refugees Relief Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1984
Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to set aside ten percent of Veterans Administration controlled intermediate-care hospital beds for veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.