United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide, with respect to Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) payment for lens implantation procedures, that the amount recognized as reasonable may not exceed a percentage (specified by the Secretary and which must be less than 100 percent) of the applicable adjusted DRG prospective payment rate with respect to discharges classified under the diagnosis-related group for lens implantation. Requires a report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Aaron Copland in recognition of his contributions to American musical composition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA) to add a new title X, the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985. (Redesignates the current title X as title XI.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for such new title X. Directs the Secretary of Education, from such title X funds for any fiscal year, to allot 20 percent to each of five categories of local educational agencies (LEAs) (based on total elementary and secondary school student enrollments). Directs the Secretary, from the amounts allotted to such categories of LEAs, to award as many grants as practicable within each such category to LEAs whose applications: (1) have been approved; and (2) propose a program of sufficient size and scope to be of value as a demonstration. Limits an LEA to no more than one such grant in each of three fiscal years. Requires the amount of a grant to be, to the extent practicable, proportionate to the extent and severity of the local dropout problem. Limits the amount of a grant to 90 percent of the total cost of a project during its first fiscal year, 80 percent in the second, and 70 percent in the third. Sets forth grant application requirements (including plans for addressing the needs of pregnant minors and school-age parents). Directs the Secretary to give first priority within each category of LEA to applicants with either very high numbers or very high percentages of school dropouts. Sets forth requirements for review of LEA second or third year projects. Requires such grants to be used to carry out plans set forth in the applications. Lists activities such grants may also be used for, including counseling, remedial education, work-study, community-organization service, curriculum review, and school staff training. Requires at least 30 percent of each grant to be used for dropout prevention activities, and another 30 percent for dropout reentry activities (i.e. persuading dropouts to return to school and assisting former dropouts with specialized services once they return to school). Directs the Secretary, from amounts appropriated to the Secretary for FY 1986, to use a specified limited amount to conduct a one-year study of the nature and extent of the dropout program. Sets forth requirements for such study, (including development of a model dropout information collection and reporting system and minimum reporting system requirements). Sets forth general provisions for title X, including provisions relating to withholding payments, annual reports, and audits. Requires that title X grants supplement other funds.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Foreign Language Assistance for National Security Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies to fund model programs, designed and operated by local educational agencies, for the improvement and expansion of foreign language study for children aged five through 17 who reside within their school districts. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such grants based on State population. Sets forth provisions relating to the availability of such funds. Sets forth grant application requirements for State educational agencies, including provisions for periodic student proficiency evaluation. Provides for program participation by private school children. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to fund model foreign language programs designed and operated at community and junior colleges. Bases the amount of such grants on State population. Sets forth grant application requirements, including periodic student proficiency evaluation. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to cover part of the costs of undergraduate foreign language instruction. Sets forth formulas to determine whether an institution is eligible for such grants, based on the percentage of its student body enrolled in qualified postsecondary language courses. Provides that to be eligible for such grants an institution must require that: (1) each entering student have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction; or (2) each graduating student have earned two years postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in a foreign language). Authorizes the Secretary to establish standards, including reporting requirements, for programs assisted by such grants. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on numbers of undergraduate students enrolled in such courses. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer intensive language training institutes for exceptional secondary school students. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to encourage, to the extent possible, diversity in the languages taught in summer institutes. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer language training institutes for the professional development of the proficiency of elementary and secondary school language teachers. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make matching grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to assist advanced foreign language students to develop their language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies through study abroad. Allows such study abroad to be combined with an internship in an international business enterprise. Requires such program to provide the opportunity for language-proficient students with majors in various other fields to combine language study with studies in those fields. Sets forth a range of world regions and languages which such programs may include. Limits the amount of each grant to one-half the cost of providing such assistance. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Permits grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Prohibits any grant or contract under this Act except to such extent, or in such amounts, as may be provided in appropriation Acts. Defines "foreign language" as any language other than English, except that with respect to programs and activities conducted under this Act in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico such term includes English. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 to carry out grant programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Federal Equitable Pay Practices Act of 1985 - Establishes the Commission on Equitable Pay Practices to determine whether the Government's position-classification system and prevailing rate system are designed and administered in accordance with the general policy that sex, race, and ethnicity should not be among factors considered in determining pay rates. Requires the Commission to conduct, by contract with a consultant selected under this Act, a study under which job-content analysis and economic analysis shall be applied to a representative sample of occupations in which: (1) either sex is numerically predominant; (2) any race is disproportionately represented; or (3) any ethnic group is disproportionately represented. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President on the results of such study not later than 18 months after the Commission's date of establishment. Make sums appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for general operating expenses available to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) local field office structure of the Social Security Administration should be maintained, strengthened, and fully staffed; and (2) proper amount of administrative costs of such offices should approximate 1.5 percent of the costs of the social security benefit programs serviced by such offices.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Prohibits the importation of certain species of kangaroos and kangaroo products (currently allowed to be imported under an administrative exception to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if in accordance with the management plans of Australian states).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Urges the President to begin talks with the Soviet Union aimed at creating a jointly administered U.S.-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Institutional Aid Act of 1985 - Amends title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise institutional aid programs, especially in relation to the development needs of historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with large concentrations of minority, low-income students. Includes as eligible institutions, for purposes of the title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) grants program, any institution of higher education which meets specified requirements and which has an enrollment of which at least: (1) 20 percent are Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic students, or combination thereof; (2) 60 percent American Indian, Alaska Native, or Aleut, or combination thereof; or (3) five percent Native Hawaiian, American Samoan, Micronesian, Guamian (Chamorro), or Northern Marianan, or any combination thereof. Establishes under title III part B, "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (which replaces the current part B, Aid to Institutions with Special Needs). Defines a "part B institution" as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans. Sets forth authorized uses for grants allotted to institutions under the part B program. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make allotments to part B institutions according to formulas based on number of: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) graduates; and (3) graduates in attendance at graduate or professional schools in degree programs in disciplines in which blacks are underrepresented. Sets forth a special rule regarding allotments to Howard University or the University of the District of Columbia. Sets forth provisions for applications for part B grant allotments. Sets forth provisions for part B program grants to professional and graduate institutions. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, to award such grants to each of listed postgraduate institutions that the Secretary determines to be making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities for black Americans. Prohibits any such grant in excess of $500,000 unless the postgraduate institution assures that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years. Provides that any one undergraduate or postgraduate institution may receive no more than two such five-year grants. Allows use of such grants for: (1) any of the authorized uses of part B allotment grants; (2) contribution development offices; and (3) institutional endowments. Sets forth application requirements. Provides that independent professional or graduate institutions eligible for such grants include: (1) Morehouse School of Medicine; (2) Meharry Medical School; (3) Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School; (4) Atlanta University; and (5) Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Sets forth reporting and audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. Revises title III part C (Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B) to rename the "endowment grants" under such part "challenge grants." Makes technical and conforming amendments to eligibility requirements under such part. Reduces the maximum amount of any such part C challenge grant for FY 1985 through 1987. (Retains the current maximum for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years.) Establishes under title III a new part D, "Reservation for Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Basin Institutions." (Redesignates the current part D as part E.) Directs the Secretary, from part A appropriations, to make available for use for the purpose of such part the greater of specified amounts or the following portions of such funds: (1) 20 percent for Hispanic institutions; (2) five percent for Native American, Native Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; and (3) five percent for institutions serving Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians residing in the Pacific Basin, including the State of Hawaii. Sets forth authorized uses of such part A funds which are reserved under the new part C. Revises the redesignated part E (General Provisions) under title III. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register all policies and procedures required to exercise the authority to approve applications for title III assistance. Prohibits any other criteria, policies, or procedure from being applicable for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use the most recent and relevant data concerning the number and percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA in making eligibility determinations under part A of title III; and (2) advance the base-year forward following each annual grant cycle. Requires the Secretary to waive specified part A institutional eligibility requirements (involving an institution's having a relatively high percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV of HEA) in the case of an institution which is: (1) extensively subsidized by the State in which it is located and charges low or no tuition; (2) serving a substantial number of low- and middle-income students as a percentage of its total student population; (3) contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, who are low-income individuals; or (4) substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas unserved by postsecondary institutions. Includes Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Basin institutions which have been determined eligible under part D, although not satisfying a specified eligibility criterion (involving an institution's having relatively low and general expenditures), among those institutions which must be included in an annual report of the Secretary to the Congress. Includes among those reasons for which the Secretary may grant a waiver of specified eligibility requirements (involving an institution's being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and its being authorized to offer bachelor's or junior or community college degrees) a determination that such waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans or Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to take care to assure that representatives of historically black colleges, Hispanic institutions, Native American institutions, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, are included as readers on title III application review panels. Revises provisions for grants to encourage cooperative arrangements to include such arrangements between title III aid recipients and institutions not receiving such assistance. Includes benefit to the applicant institutions as a priority criterion in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the following title III programs: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (with a separate authorization for part B provisions for Professional and Graduate Institutions); and (3) part C, Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B. Directs the Secretary to make available part A funds for any fiscal year to eligible institutions as follows: (1) at least 30 percent to junior or community colleges; (2) at least 20 percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Hispanic institutions; (3) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Native American, Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; (4) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Pacific Basin institutions; and (5) the remainder to institutions that plan to award a bachelor's degree during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to erect a monument, given as a gift from Morocco in recognition of mutual friendship, on Federal land within the District of Columbia. Directs the Secretary, with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select a design and site for the monument. Directs the Secretary to maintain the monument. Makes the authority to erect the monument contingent on construction beginning within five years. Directs that U.S. funds may not be used to build the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
University Research Facilities Revitalization Act of 1985 - Requires each of the major Federal research and development agencies to establish and carry out a new university research laboratory modernization program, under which an amount equal to a specified portion of the funds available to the agency involved for research and development awards to institutions of higher education will be reserved for the replacement or modernization of such institutions' obsolete laboratories and other research facilities. Requires that funds under such program be awarded in response to specific proposals submitted by universities and colleges, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the head of the agency involved. Requires that such regulations provide that funds to carry out the program be awarded on a competitive basis and in an amount not exceeding 50 percent of the cost of the replacement or modernization involved. Sets forth required criteria for the award of such funds. Defines the "major Federal research and development agencies" as: (1) the National Science Foundation; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Department of Defense; (4) the Department of Energy; (5) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (6) the Department of Agriculture. Title I: Identification and Assessment of University and College Research Facility Needs; Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the National Science Foundation - Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to design, establish, and maintain a data collection and analysis capability to identify and assess the research facilities needs of universities and colleges. Directs NSF, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, to: (1) conduct biennial surveys for such identification and assessment purposes; and (2) report the results to the Congress, with the first such report to be due on September 1, 1986. Directs the NSF, when conducting such surveys and reporting to the Congress, to also collect and assess data on the implementation of the university research laboratory modernization programs being carried out under this Act. Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in NSF. (Note: The following provisions are similar to those for such program funding in the other "major Federal research and development agencies" which are set forth in titles II, III, IV, V, and VI of this Act.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to NSF to implement and carry out the new university research laboratory modernization program. Requires that a specified minimum amount (equal to a portion, as determined by certain formulas, of the total amount which is appropriated to NSF for FY 1988 through 1996 and which is available for obligation by NSF for research and development awards to universities and colleges) be reserved for purposes of this Act and used only to carry out NSF's university research modernization program. Permits such funds to be used for such program either as a part of awards made to universities and colleges involved for activities carried out under the authority of other laws or through separate awards made for purposes of this Act. Requires that such funds be used only on the basis of proposals submitted by such universities and colleges. Requires that a specified minimum portion of such funds be available only for awards to universities and colleges that received less than $10,000,000 in total Federal obligations for research and development in each of the two preceding years. Title II: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Health and Human Services - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Health and Human Services. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title III: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Defense - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Defense. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title IV: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Energy - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Energy. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title V: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (Note: these provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title VI; Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Agriculture - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Agriculture. (Note: these provisions are similar to the program funding provision under title I.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a skilled nursing facility, the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, or the Naval Home, with respect to the personal funds of individuals in such institutions which are held by such institutions, to: (1) provide for a security bond; and (2) conduct itself in accordance with the accountability monitoring system of title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit recognizing as reasonable costs any amounts for the direct costs of approved educational activities for approved medical residency training programs of a provider unless the provider has in effect: (1) an approved residency training program in the field of geriatric medicine; and (2) a two-year medical fellowship program in the field of geriatric medicine. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assign to each hospital and skilled nursing facility a number of two-year fellowships that an institution must maintain to meet the above requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax deduction for amounts paid to an individual medical care account. Provides that the maximum yearly contribution to such account is limited to the lesser of $2,000 or an amount equal to compensation includible in the individual's gross income for the taxable year. Limits married couples with only one partner working to a contribution of $2,250 each year. Provides that no deduction will be allowed for contributions to a medical care account if the beneficiary has attained the age of 70 and one-half before the close of the taxable year. Provides that amounts distributed out of an account will be included in the gross income by the distributee for the taxable year in which the distribution is received. Excludes rollover contributions from the gross income of the distributee if certain requirements are met. Provides rules relating to excess contributions and transfers incident to divorce. Exempts from taxation an individual medical care account unless such account ceases to be an individual medical care account by reason of certain actions. Imposes an additional ten percent penalty tax on distributions made to a distributee before the distributee attains the age 59 and one-half and does not use the amount for eligible medical care expenses. Exempts distributions or income inclusions from the ten percent penalty tax attributable to the taxpayer becoming disabled. Permits individuals who do not itemize deductions to deduct amounts contributed to individual medical care accounts. Imposes a penalty tax on excess contributions to individual medical care accounts, and a penalty tax for prohibited transactions with an individual medical care account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file certain reports.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require a State's Medicaid fraud control unit to investigate and prosecute violations stemming from the abuse and neglect of patients in Medicaid funded health care facilities; and (2) provide increased funding for such units with respect to activities relating to the elimination of such fraud and abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that procurement of the new U.S. weather radar system, NEXRAD, continue on schedule and according to the established minimum requirements agreed to by the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Older Workers' Employment Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing normal retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age. Amends the Age Disgrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to extend its application to employees who have attained age 70.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to revise provisions relating to terminations of single-employer plans and reversions to employers resulting from such terminations. Prohibits mergers and consolidations of pension plans and transfers of plan assets or liabilities if any act or failure to act in accomplishing the merger, consolidation, or transfer violates the fiduciary duty of the employer under specified provisions (which provide that the assets of a plan shall never inure to the benefit of any employer and shall be held for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable administrative expenses of the plan). Sets forth provisions for fiduciary responsibility: (1) for meeting specified requirements relating to distribution of residual assets upon termination of a single-employer plan; and (2) in connection with related plans following single-employer plan terminations. Makes it unlawful for any individual who is a party in interest, as described under specified provisions, in connection with a single-employer plan to exert undue influence on or cause a material misrepresentation to a plan fiduciary, with the intent to initiate or facilitate a plan termination in order to entrench or otherwise protect the status of such individual. Authorizes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation) to assess a civil penalty against any person who commits such a violation. Limits the maximum amount of such penalty to five percent of the amount of any distribution from the plan to the employer pursuant to specified provisions. Makes such person also personally liable to make good to any aggrieved participant or beneficiary their losses resulting from such violation. Makes liability for any such violation joint and several. Authorizes the Corporation to seek: (1) injunctions against any act or practice constituting such a violation; or (2) other appropriate equitable relief to redress such violations or to enforce such requirements. Places limitations on distributions of residual assets to employers after single-employer plan terminations. Provides that those residual assets of the plan which are attributable to employee contributions shall be equitably distributed to the employees who made such contributions (or their beneficiaries) in accordance with their rate of contributions, in a specified manner. Provides that the remaining residual assets be available for distribution as follows: (1) 50 percent to participants and beneficiaries as compensation for unpaid constructive cost-of-living increases; and (2) 50 percent to participants who are within five years of normal retirement age under the plan. Provides for adjustments to the amounts of residual assets distributable to participants and beneficiaries through: (1) proration of available assets; (2) reallocation of excess available assets; and (3) adjustment to ensure equitable distribution. Provides that, only after all of the above requirements for distribution of residual assets to participants and beneficiaries have been met, any remaining residual assets shall be distributed to the employer if: (1) such distribution does not contravene any applicable Federal or State law; and (2) the plan has, since its establishment, provided explicitly for such a distribution in these circumstances. Gives plans in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 60 days after such date to contain such an explicit provision. Requires such plans to notify in writing each employee or retiree who qualifies as an interested party of the proposed plan amendment incorporating such provision at least 30 days before its adoption. Sets forth a special rule for distributions to employers in cases of transfers of coverage to other plans. Requires that any other residual assets of the plan, which remain after the above requirements for distribution to participants and beneficiaries are met and which are not distributable to employers because of the above requirements, be distributed to participants and beneficiaries in a specified manner. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations for such distributions of residual assets, including provision of consideration of administrative costs to the plan. Authorizes the Corporation to waive any such requirements, individually or by class, upon its determination that such administrative costs reader the distribution impracticable. Provides for increased availability to employers of residual assets upon certification of business necessity. Provides that a plan termination is a business necessity if it meets the requirements of: (1) a special rule for certain terminations incident to the sale of a business for fair value to an unrelated party; or (2) certain distress requirements. Provides that such distress requirements are met if the plan termination meets the conditions set forth in at least one of the following categories: (1) recent funding waivers; (2) liquidation in bankruptcy proceedings; (3) inability to pay debts and continue in business; and (4) unreasonably burdensome pension costs caused by a declining workforce (but not in the case of substantial layoffs). Precludes a business necessity determination: (1) where the primary purpose is to finance corporate take-overs; or (2) in the case of recently established plans, i.e. plans which have not completed five years. Revises ERISA provisions relating to the termination of single-employer plans to require 60 days' advance written notice to the plan participants and their beneficiaries before the plan administrator files a notice with the Corporation that the plan is to be terminated on a proposed date. Revises IRC provisions relating to plan qualification to set forth a five-year disqualification rule for replacement plans where plan termination is not a business necessity. Makes exceptions to such rule for derivative or successor plans which meet certain conditions. Places various limitations on the availability, after various types of employer reversions (i.e. employer acceptance of residual assets of a terminated plan pursuant to various requirements of this Act), of: (1) funding waivers for replacement plans; and (2) extensions of amortization periods for comparable plans. Requires faster funding for replacement plans after employer reversions. Provides that an alternative minimum funding standard is not available while such plans are subject to such faster funding requirement. Revises IRC provisions (relating to excise taxes in connection with qualified pension, etc., plans) to add an excise tax on reversions to employers upon termination of single-employer plans. Requires the employer to pay such tax in the amount of ten percent of the fair market value of the residual assets so distributed to the employer. Revises ERISA requirements relating to employer securities acquired or held by plans. Provides that, by specified dates and under certain conditions, a plan may not hold: (1) any employer security which is not qualifying employer stock; or (2) any qualifying employer stock to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of employer securities held by the plan exceeds five percent (currently ten percent) of the plan's assets. Provides for regulations requiring plans to divest themselves of 50 percent of their holdings of employer securities and employer real property by a specified deadline (in order to comply with the five percent limitation). Defines "qualifying employer stock" as an employer security which: (1) is stock in the employer; (2) does not constitute, and is not acquired subject to, any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness; and (3) is not subject to any restriction on marketability or voting power applicable by reason of its acquisition by a plan. Directs the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries to conduct a study of the reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods, for each of the various types of pension plans, which are appropriate for use by enrolled actuaries and others under ERISA and IRC in determining the actuarial status and funding requirements of such plans. Requires the Joint Board, within two years after enactment of this Act, to: (1) complete such study and report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees; and (2) prescribe by regulation appropriate procedures for determining, for each type of plan, such appropriate actuarial assumptions and methods; and (3) determine such actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of pension plan in accordance with such procedures and publish such assumptions and methods in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Joint Board to: (1) revise by regulation the prescribed procedures; and (2) publish revised reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of plan. Requires the termination of enrollment of enrolled actuaries if they fail to use such prescribed assumptions and methods. Set forth requirements relating to the voting rights of participants in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to which assets are transferred upon plan termination, under IRC tax qualification requirements and under ERISA transaction rules applicable irrespective of tax qualification status. Allows such transfer of assets only if: (1) the transfer is approved in advance in writing by a majority of the participants in the terminated plan; (2) the assets allocated to each participant are immediately deposited to an account under the ESOP for such participant; and (3) the voting ratio under the ESOP of each participant is not less than the participant's asset ratio under the plan. Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable (except as otherwise provided in this Act) to pension plan terminations with respect to which notices are filed with the Corporation, pursuant to specified ERISA provisions, on or after January 1, 1984. Treats any such notice filed before the date of the enactment of this Act as filed on such date for purposes of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1985
Requires the Administrator of General Services to convey certain Federal land situated in Miami Beach, Florida, to the city of Miami Beach, Florida, for park and recreational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler, in recognition of their tireless efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Young Astronaut Program Medal Act - Commemorates the Young Astronaut Program by directing the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and deliver to the Young Astronaut Council no more than 750,000 medals with emblems, devices, and inscriptions determined by the Secretary. Authorizes the Council to dispose of the medals at a premium and to have them delivered as required in quantities of no less than 2,000. Directs that no medals be struck after December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to set the price of the medals at no less than the manufacturing cost plus a surcharge of ten percent of such cost. Requires the furnishing of security sufficient to fully indemnify the United States for such costs. Directs that the medals be struck in gold, silver, and bronze and in such size or sizes as determined by the Secretary. Gives the U.S. Comptroller General the right to examine the records of the Council which are related to the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, University-High School Partnerships. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for the new title XII, to encourage partnerships between institutions of higher education and secondary schools serving low-income students in order to support programs that: (1) improve the academic skills of secondary school students; (2) increase their opportunity to continue a program of education after high school; and (3) improve their prospects of employment after high school. Requires, for purposes of eligibility for a title XII grant, an institution of higher education and a local education agency to enter into a written partnership agreement. Allows the partnership to include businesses, labor organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, or other private or public agencies or associations. Requires all partners to sign the agreement. Requires the agreement to include a listing of all participants in the partnership, a description of their responsibilities, and a listing of the resources to be contributed by them. Directs the Secretary of Education to reserve 65 percent of title XII funds for programs operating during the regular school year and 35 percent for summer programs. Limits the amount of such a grant to between $250,000 to $1,000,000. Allows the partnership to use the grant for programs that use college students to tutor high school students and that improve high school students' basic academic skills, their understanding of specified subjects, opportunity to continue a program of education after graduation, and their prospects for employment after graduation. Directs the Secretary, in making such grants, to give preference to: (1) programs which will serve predominantly low-income communities; (2) partnerships which will run programs during the regular school year and the summer; and (3) programs which will serve educationally disadvantaged students, potential dropouts, pregnant adolescent and teen parents, or the gifted and talented. Sets forth grant application requirements. Limits the Federal share of the cost of the project to no more than 70 percent in the first year, 60 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third year and any subsequent year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Competitive Shipping and Shipbuilding Act of 1985 - Title I: Competitive Shipping and Shipbuilding - Requires each importer or exporter of bulk cargoes to transport at least five percent of such cargoes in United States-flag ships in the calendar year following enactment of this title. Requires annual one percent increases until the percentage of bulk cargoes carried on U.S.-flag ships reaches 20 percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide relief from the requirements of this Act upon a finding that U.S.-flag ships are not available within guideline rates. Sets forth factors which the Secretary shall consider in determining the extent of relief granted. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish guideline rates for the carriage of bulk cargoes subject to this Act. Requires the Secretary to assure that such rates take into account certain objectives. Requires the Secretary, in order to establish guideline rates, to estimate the current cost of operating U.S.-flag ships in the foreign bulk trades of the United States and of constructing such ships. Requires such cost estimates to be published within six months after enactment of this Act. Requires such estimates to be revised annually. Requires that such rates: (1) be reviewed and adjusted at least annually; (2) not reflect costs greater than the estimated current costs; and (3) be the maximum rates which may be charged for the charter of U.S.-flag ships for the transportation of bulk cargoes governed by this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish interim guideline rates in the first calendar year following the enactment of this Act. Sets forth factors to be taken into account in determining such rates. Requires anyone engaged in importing or exporting bulk commodities in U.S. foreign commerce to report to the Secretary on the percentages of such person's exports and imports carried on U.S.-flag ships. Requires anyone who fails to transport the required percentage of U.S. bulk cargoes to use exclusively U.S.-flag ships until the deficiency has been recouped, unless relief has been granted. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth procedures for judicial review of violations of this Act. Title II: Income Tax Credit for Increased Shipping Costs - United States-Flag Ship Use Incentive Tax Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 100 percent of the qualified increased shipping costs where importers and exporters use U.S.-flag ships. Provides for the carryover of such credit for up to three years.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985
Economic Equity Act of 1985 - Title I: Retirement - Pension Vesting, Integration, and Portability Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to maximum age conditions under pension plans to provide for continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age. Provides that pension plans may only exclude from participation, on the basis of age, an employee who has attained the normal retirement age under the plan if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan or a target benefit plan (as under current law); and (2) the employee's accrued benefit under the plan is greater than the normal retirement benefit to which the employee would be entitled at the normal retirement age if the employee commenced participation at the earliest possible entry age under the plan and served continuously until attaining the normal retirement age under the plan. Revises provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to reduce, from ten years to five years, the number of years of service which a pension plan participant must complete in order to earn a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of the participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Permits multiemployer pension plans to retain the ten-year minimum vesting standard if such plans meet certain conditions, including complete reciprocity for workers who move from one regional pension plan to another within the same industry. Repeals a certain "class year plan" rule. Permits participants with three (currently five) years of service to elect, within a specified period to have their nonforfeitable percentage computed under the plan without regard to any plan amendment changing the vesting schedule. Revises minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements to provide for pension plan coverage of part-time workers. Revises the definition of "year of service," for purposes of minimum participation and vesting standards, to treat 500 to 1,000 hours of service per year by a part-time employee as one-half of a year of service. Provides that the date on which such employee completes such one-half of one year of service shall be the latest date until which the plan participation of such employee may be delayed. Includes service of at least 500 (currently 1,000) hours in determinations of years of plan participation for purposes of benefit accrual requirements. Establishes minimum benefit rules for integrated pension plans. Requires such plans to offer a minimum benefit without taking into account contributions or benefits under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, or any other Federal or State law. Sets forth formulas, based on specified percentages of employee compensation, for determining such minimum benefit in the case of: (1) an integrated defined benefit plan; and (2) an integrated defined contribution plan or an integrated simplified employee pension. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe necessary or appropriate regulations to carry out the purposes of such minimum benefit rules for integrated plans in any case in which the employer has two or more plans. Provides for distributions of accrued benefits of less than $7,000 to portable pension accounts (individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities). Requires a pension plan to distribute a participant's nonforfeitable benefit to a portable pension account if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan, or an individual account plan subject to specified funding standards; (2) the present value, as of the date of separation from service, of such benefit is less than $7,000; and (3) the participant elects in writing, after receiving a required notice, to have such benefit distributed to such portable pension account in a distribution which is excluded from gross income under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe by regulation the manner and form in which such election is to be made. Requires the plan administrator, upon being informed by a participant that the participant wishes to make an election pursuant to these provisions, to provide notice to the participant of: (1) the present value, as of the date of separation, of the participant's nonforfeitable benefit (with such present value to be deemed equal to the actuarial equivalent, as of such date, of the normal form of benefit under the plan); (2) the amount of the participant's benefit on the date of the participant's retirement payable under the pension plan at normal retirement age expressed in the form of a single life annuity under a defined benefit plan or in the normal form of payment under an individual account plan; and (3) the additional tax (under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions as revised by this Act) on distributions from, or disqualification, of the portable pension account before the date on which the participant attains age 59 1/2. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions relating to pension plans. Makes such revisions similar to those made to ERISA by title I of this Act with respect to: (1) continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age; (2) a minimum vesting standard of five years of service (reduced from ten years), with the exception of multiemployer plans meeting certain conditions (including reciprocity); (3) repeal of the class year plan rule; (4) protection from changes in the vesting schedule for participants with three years of service; (5) coverage for part-time workers under minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements; (6) establishment of minimum benefit rules for integrated plans; and (7) distributions of accrued benefits to portable pension accounts. Revises provisions relating to additional tax on certain amounts included in gross income before age 59 1/2. Requires, in cases of early distributions or disqualification involving portable pension accounts to which accrued benefits from a pension plan have been distributed as provided under this Act, that the additional tax (for the taxable year in which the early distribution is received or the disqualification occurs) shall be equal to the amount of the early distribution, or of the disqualification, which is includible in gross income for such taxable year. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and ramifications of requiring private employee pension benefit plans to provide cost-of-living adjustments to benefits payable under such plans; (2) compile data and analyze the effect inflation is having and may be expected to have on retirement benefits provided under such plans; and (3) submit study results, with recommendations, within two years after enactment of this Act. Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Provides full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age. Enables an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse. Repeals the separate definition of disability applicable to widows and widowers. Permits the months of a widow's or widower's entitlement to Supplemental Security Income benefits (title XVI of the Social Security Act) on the basis of a disability to be counted towards the 24 months needed to become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) on that basis. Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Equity Act - Provides that a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services shall be entitled, unless expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order, to an annuity: (1) equal to 50 percent of the retired or retainer pay of the member if married to the member throughout the creditable service of the member; or (2) equal to a pro rata share of 50 percent of such pay if not married to the member throughout the entire creditable service of the member. Requires that an election by a member not to participate, or to participate at a reduced level, in the Survivor Benefit Plan or to provide an annuity for a dependent child only must be made jointly with the member's spouse. Provides that such an election must be in writing. Allows a member who has a former spouse to jointly elect a spousal agreement with such former spouse or as provided under a court order to provide a survivor to the former spouse or to waive such an annuity. Treats a former spouse as a spouse for purposes of eligibility as a beneficiary, computation of annuities, and reductions in retired or retainer pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan if the member elects such treatment. (Present law treats a former spouse as a person with an "insurable interest" subject to certain restrictions and requiring larger reductions in retired or retainer pay.) Establishes a 24 month period during which members who were already divorced before the effective date of this Act may elect to have a former spouse covered under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Provides that a former spouse's share of retired or retainer pay shall be based on the gross amount of such pay. (Present law bases such share on the net amount of such pay after specified deductions.) Social Services and Child Care Assistance Act of 1985 - Title II: Dependent Care - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to set allotment amounts for FY 1984, 1985, and 1986 and each succeeding fiscal year. Allocates, from the allotment set for FY 1986 and available for any fiscal year, specified amounts for: (1) funding for a National Resource Center on Family Day Care; (2) grants to States which fulfill certain conditions with respect to the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of child care services; and (3) the provision of services in accordance with title XX. Provides that, of the amounts allotted for the provision of services, specified amounts shall be used: (1) for the training and retraining of human services personnel; (2) for the training and retraining in the prevention of child abuse of licensed child care operators; and (3) for the provision of child day care services to children who are abused or neglected, who are members of families receiving aid under title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act, or children who are members of specified low-income groups. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, School-Based Child Care Programs. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) construction, reconstruction, and renovation of facilities, located at such institutions, to be used to provide child care services (free for students from families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level, and with a sliding-scale of fees based on income for other students participating); (2) child care services through vouchers for disadvantaged college students (with two-thirds of the participants to be low-income students who are first generation college students, and the remainder to be either low-income or first generation college students); and (3) child care personnel work-experience programs (which provide experience for students by arranging part-time employment for them in licensed child care programs). Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing authorities to assist them in providing child care services for lower income families. Requires a program report to the Congress within three years. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations. Title III: Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Prohibits any insurer from establishing auto insurance rates for women or any particular group of women which are higher or lower in relation to the rates offered men or any similarly situated group of men, except for non-gender related risk-based reasons. Grants to States having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce the prohibitions of this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer if the State has terminated all proceedings under State law. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Authorizes the Court to: (1) order the defendant to amend any relevant contract to comply with the provisions of this Act; (2) require the defendant to pay punitive damages in addition to actual damages; and (3) award the aggrieved person reasonable attorneys' fees. Continued Access to Group Health Insurance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require continuation coverage under group health plans for certain spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of employees insured under such plans. Makes such continuation coverage a requirement for the allowance of a tax deduction for employer contributions to group health plans. Provides that the spouse and dependent children of an insured employee may be entitled to five years of continuation coverage under a group health plan if the insured employee: (1) dies; (2) becomes separated or divorced from his or her spouse; or (3) becomes entitled to Medicare. Makes such coverage available only if it is elected within a specified period by or on behalf of the spouse or child to be covered. Sets forth notification requirements. Sets forth a special rule relating to collective bargaining agreements. Title IV: Employment - Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to: (1) conduct research for identifying and measuring wage discrimination; (2) assist any public or private entity in eliminating discriminatory pay practices; and (3) implement policies and procedures to prohibit employment discrimination. Requires the Commission to determine the number and nature of all charges filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1954 and to report to the Congress with a summary prepared pursuant to this Act. Requires the Commission to conduct a study in consultation with organizations representing Federal employees and analyze: (1) the procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish classifications of positions in the competitive service; and (2) the actual practices of the Director and the heads of Federal agencies in complying with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value when establishing job classifications for employees. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on its findings and provide a copy to the Director of OPM. Directs the Director to submit his comments on the report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions contained in Executive Order Numbered 11246 against discrimination by Federal contractors. Requires the Attorney General, acting through the Office of Civil Rights, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions against sex discrimination in compensation contained in title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order Numbered 11246, and other Federal laws. Requires Federal agencies responsible for submitting equal employment opportunity plans to include in such plans: (1) a review and identification of any discriminatory pay practices and any violation of the principle of equal pay for jobs of equal value; and (2) a plan for eliminating any such practices and remedying any such violation. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide, by contract with a consultant, for a report on discriminatory wage-setting practices and discriminatory wage differentials within the Federal position classification system and the prevailing rate (job grading) system. Defines "discriminatory wage-setting practices" as a practice resulting from lower rates of pay for female employees doing work comparable to that of higher-paid males. Requires OPM, within one month of receiving such report, to transmit a copy to the President and specified congressional committees, with written comments. Requires the consultant to submit such report to OPM and the Pay Equity Study Council (established by this Act) within six months after entering into its contract. Requires OPM, within ten days after the effective date of this Act, to establish a Pay Equity Study Council to assist in the selection of a consultant and comment on the final report. Requires that Council membership consist predominantly of representatives of labor organizations representing Federal female employees. Terminates the Council after it submits comments on the final report. 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 the Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report. 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. Directs the Secretary to approve ten of the proposed projects. 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 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; (4) it provides for participation by caretaker parents on a voluntary basis; and (5) it complies fully with all other requirements and will contribute to the purposes of this Act. Defines "caretaker parent". 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; (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; and (4) require the project to maintain support services, including child care, transportation, and health care services for each participant. 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 the education must lead to such 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 participant in the project must be provided for at least 20 hours per week and must be coordinated with available child care services; and (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 coordinated child care) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient 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 thereafter for a certain 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 15-month period to be still a project participant for purposes of receiving Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) and shall thereafter be similarly considered to still be a participant for such purposes but subject to stated conditions. 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; (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. Permits a State to make participation mandatory if: (1) it is necessary to operate a project in a cost-effective manner; (2) participants would not be disadvantaged financially or otherwise; and (3) children in need of assistance would not be disadvantaged. Provides that if any caretaker parent who is required to participate in a project 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. 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 the 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. Women's Business Ownership Act of 1985 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women-owned small businesses nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women-owned small businesses; (3) data collection procedures and the availability of data relating to women-owned businesses, women-owned small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women; (4) other Federal initiatives relating to women-owned small businesses, including those relating to Federal procurements; and (5) special impediments suffered by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives which would provide management and technical assistance to women-owned small businesses; (2) ways to promote greater access to financing and procurement opportunities for such businesses; and (3) other measures relating to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Tax Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the zero amount for heads of households shall be the same as the zero bracket amount for joint returns and surviving spouses. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 11 percent to 16 percent of the first $5,000 of earned income. Provides for a phaseout of such credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $11,000 and $16,000. Provides that governmental payments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining support and maintenance of a household. Provides that any refund of Federal income taxes or advance payment made to an individual by reason of the earned income credit shall not be taken into account as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or assistance under any Federal program or any State or local program financed in whole or part with Federal funds. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments for the amount of the earned income credit and the phase-out thresholds of such credit beginning in 1987. Allows a refundable income tax credit for: (1) employment related dependent care expenses; plus (2) expenses for the respite care of a dependent. Sets the amount of such credit at 50 percent of the sum of such expenses. Reduces such percentage (but not below 20 percent) by one percent for each full $2,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $11,000. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such adjusted gross income amount. Limits the amount of employment-related expenses and respite care expenses which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Allows such credit for expenses incurred for the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 15; (2) a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself; or (3) a spouse who is incapable of caring for himself. Repeals present provisions relating to the income tax credit for dependent care expenses necessary for gainful employment. Increases the amount individuals may contribute on behalf of their spouses for purposes of the deduction for retirement savings. Provides that no deduction from gross income shall be allowed to a taxpayer for entertainment expenses for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment incurred in connection with a facility which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Exempts facilities operated by a religious organization where access is limited to members of a particular religion. Treats dues and fees paid to discriminatory facilities as nondeductible expenses. Requires the submission of a statement to the Secretary of the Treasury that a facility not open to the public does not discriminate in order for amounts paid to such facility to qualify for the entertainment expense deduction. Requires the posting of a public notice in the facility stating the nondiscriminatory policy. Permits the Secretary to revoke the acceptance of the statement of nondiscrimination. Requires the taxpayer to report on his or her income tax return any amounts paid or incurred for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment in any facility which is not open to the public or does not serve the public in order to deduct such amounts from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 regarding urban development action grant criteria to include the following: (1) the production of goods or services from the applicant's local economy; (2) job retention and retraining; and (3) project location. Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from awarding such a grant unless: (1) the project will have a substantial physical development and fiscal impact; (2) the project is likely to be accomplished in a timely fashion; and (3) the city or urban area has demonstrated performance in housing and community development programs. Provides for the use of repaid grant funds. Requires an applicant to provide the Secretary with an annual statement of the projected receipt and use of repaid grant funds and an audited report of any previous fund use. Requires a report to the Congress by March 15, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Declares that the House will act expeditiously to implement this legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for the amount of the premiums paid on a life insurance contract the beneficiary of which is a trust established for the benefit of a disabled individual. Requires the insurance contract to be on the life of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a former spouse. Limits the amount of the insurance contract to $100,000. Sets forth rules for the establishment and operation of the trust for the benefit of a disabled individual. Provides that amounts distributed from such trust shall not be included in the gross income of the beneficiary of a qualified disabled individual's trust. Provides that the proceeds of the insurance contract shall be excluded from the estate of the taxpayer, and includes in the gross estate of the income beneficiary of the trust the remaining portion of the corpus attributable to the insurance contract and any accumulated income attributable to such amount. Sets forth a formula for computing the estate tax on this amount.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pepper, Claude [D-FL-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000218_200.jpg)