United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Eligibility and Other Matters Concerning Title IV-D Program Clients - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to: (1) record child support orders in a central case registry; and (2) collect child support payments through a centralized collections unit. (Sec. 101) Revises the guidelines for: (1) State plans for child and spousal support; and (2) payments distribution. (Sec. 103) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) notification of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations; and (2) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions. Subtitle B: Program Administration and Funding - Revises the formula for: (1) Federal matching payments to the States; and (2) incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate. (Sec. 113) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 115) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 116) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to conduct staffing studies of each State child support enforcement program and to report the results to the Congress. (Sec. 117) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle C: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that the single statewide automated data system function as a single central case registry of State-provided services and support orders. Delineates contents of case records and data matching activities, including data exchange with sister States. (Sec. 122) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. (Sec. 123) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which child support orders issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding from wages if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 125) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to add kinds of information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of establishing parentage and executing child support obligations. Requires the Secretary to establish in the Service a Data Bank of Child Support Orders and an automated directory of New Hires. (Sec. 126) Requires State plans to include procedures for recording social security numbers on certain family legal documents and records. Subtitle D: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1997. (Sec. 132) Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for a court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement of child support orders. (Sec. 133) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise State plan guidelines for mandatory expedited administrative and judicial procedures to include: (1) authorized genetic testing to establish paternity; and (2) the securing of assets and increasing of monthly payments to satisfy a support arrearage. Subtitle E: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for statutorily prescribed procedures governing genetic testing and outreach for voluntary paternity acknowledgment. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to determine the need for consideration by the Congress of national child support guidelines. (Sec. 152) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priority of refund distribution with respect to past-due support owed to individuals. (Sec. 163) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of current and retired members of the armed forces. (Sec. 165) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures for: (1) placing liens for child support arrearages on motor vehicle titles of the debtor; (2) voiding fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor; (3) suspending any driver's, business, or occupational license issued to any person who owes past-due child support; (4) reporting to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (5) extending the statute of limitations for collection on child support arrearages; and (6) calculating interest or penalties on such arrearage. (Sec. 171) Prescribes procedural guidelines for passport denial (including revocation) upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 172) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Requires State plans to provide that the State must treat international child support cases as interstate cases. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. Subtitle I: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Act of 1995 - Prohibits U.S. military assistance and arms transfers to a foreign government unless the President certifies to the Congress that the government: (1) meets specified conditions regarding democracy, including that it was chosen by free and fair elections and promotes civilian control of the military, the rule of law, and respect for individual rights; (2) does not engage in human rights violations, investigates and prosecutes those responsible for human rights violations, permits access to political prisoners by international organizations, and provides access to such organizations in situations of conflict or famine; (3) is not engaged in acts of armed aggression in violation of international law; and (4) is participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Authorizes an exemption from such prohibition for a fiscal year if: (1) the President requests an exemption from the Congress stating that it is in the national security interest to provide military assistance and arms transfers to a government; and (2) the Congress enacts a law approving such request. Requires the President to submit initial certifications and requests for exemptions in conjunction with the submission of the annual request for enactment of authorizations and appropriations for foreign assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the House International Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on controversial certifications and all requests for exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) trafficking in persons violates human dignity and forced prostitution involving physical coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of forced labor and a slavery-like practice; (2) the U.S. State Department should continue to press the Government of Thailand to strictly enforce all laws that can lead to the prosecution of those involved in trafficking and forced prostitution, ensure that Thai police participants in U.S. Government-sponsored police training programs are systematically vetted to exclude those implicated in such activities, urge the Thai Government to protect the rights and safety of Burmese women and girls in Thailand who are freed from brothels or arrested as illegal immigrants because their status as trafficking victims is unclear, and report to the Congress; (3) the executive branch should take steps to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of those forces who might be involved in trafficking, forced prostitution, or abuse of women who are apprehended; and (4) the Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese women in the Thai sex industry.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1995
Commercial Aviation Fuel Tax Repeal Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the increase in tax on fuel used in commercial aviation scheduled to take effect after September 30, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Airlift Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to terminate the C-17 aircraft acquisition program with those aircraft for which funds are appropriated for FY 1996. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated: (1) for FY 1996 for procurement of long-lead items for such aircraft; or (2) after FY 1996 for procurement of such items or such aircraft. Requires the Secretary to develop, and report to the Congress on, a program to meet the remaining strategic airlift requirements of the Air Force through the acquisition of nondevelopmental airlift aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the retention of retirement, survivor, health, or other benefits for spouses or former spouses of Foreign Service participants who are disqualified from receiving such benefits for official misconduct or disloyalty to the United States, provided that such spouses had no involvement in such misconduct or disloyalty.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1995
Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Housing Act to revise the definition of housing for older persons (thus modifying the exemption from certain familial status discrimination prohibitions). Makes a good faith attempt at compliance a defense against civil money damages.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
Women's Right To Know Act of 1995 - Amends title XI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit a governmental authority, in or through any program or activity that provides health care services or information, from limiting the right of any person to provide or to receive nonfraudulent information about the availability of reproductive health care services, including family planning, prenatal care, adoption, and abortion services.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and other Federal law to make any managed health care plan established by the Secretary of Defense in the Military Health Services System eligible for payments by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on behalf of any plan enrollees entitled to Medicare benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise provisions regarding the acceptance of gifts. Prohibits any Member, officer, or employee of the House from knowingly accepting a gift from a paid lobbyist, lobbying firm, or an agent of a foreign principal. Includes within the gift restriction: (1) anything provided to a Member, officer, or employee by lobbyists or foreign agents which is believed to be paid for or reimbursed by a client or firm of the lobbyist or foreign agent; (2) charitable contributions made by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents on the basis of a recommendation or specification of a Member, officer, or employee or charitable contributions made by such individuals in lieu of honoraria; (3) contributions and other payments by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents to a legal expense fund established for the benefit of a Member, officer, or employee; and (4) financial contributions or expenditures made by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents relating to a conference or similar event affiliated with an official congressional organization for or on behalf of Members, officers, or employees. Lists items exempt from such restriction, including: (1) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (2) food or refreshments of nominal value; (3) benefits resulting from the business or outside activities of the spouse of the Member, officer, or employee if such benefits are customarily provided to others; (4) pension and other benefits resulting from continued participation in an employee welfare and benefits plan maintained by a former employer; and (5) specified informational materials. Makes the gift restriction inapplicable under circumstances which make it clear that the gift is given for a nonbusiness purpose and is motivated by a family or close personal relationship. Sets forth factors to be considered in determining if the giving of the item is so motivated. Prohibits any Member, officer, or employee from knowingly accepting a gift from any other person (currently, such individuals may accept gifts totalling up to $250 from any one person, except as permitted by specified waivers). Considers a gift to a spouse or dependent of a Member, officer, or employee to be a gift to the Member, officer, or employee if given with their knowledge and acquiescence and if there is reason to believe that the gift was given because of their official positions. Lists items exempt from the gift restriction, including: (1) anything provided on the basis of a personal or family relationship unless the Member, officer, or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of his or her official position; (2) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (3) food or refreshments believed to have a value of less than $20; (4) food, lodging, and other benefits resulting from the outside business or employment activities of a Member, officer, or employee or their spouses if such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the recipient's official position; (5) such benefits customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions or by a political organization in connection with a fundraising or campaign event; (6) certain awards or prizes given in contests open to the public; (7) certain honorary degrees and other awards; (8) donations of products from the Member's State that are intended for promotional purposes and are of minimal value; (9) food and entertainment provided to a Member or employee in the home State subject to reasonable limitations; (10) certain training; (11) bequests and inheritances; (12) anything paid for by the Government or by a State or local government or secured under a Government contract; (13) a gift of personal hospitality; (14) free attendance at an event, as permitted by this Act; and (15) certain other opportunities and benefits. Establishes conditions under which a Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer of free attendance at a convention, dinner, or similar event. Prohibits the acceptance of a gift exceeding $250 on the basis of the personal relationship or friendship exception unless the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct determines that such exception applies. Provides that certain reimbursements to a Member, officer, or employee for travel expenses to an event in connection with official duties shall not be considered as gifts if advance authorization to accept reimbursement is received and the reimbursement and authorization are disclosed within a specified time period. Amends rule XLVII to prohibit Members, officers, or employees, beginning in 1995, from receiving copyright royalties for any work: (1) unless the royalty is received from an established publisher pursuant to usual and customary contractual terms; (2) unless the total amount of royalties for the work does not exceed one-third of the individual's annual pay as a Member, officer, or employee for the year in which the contract is entered into; and (3) without the prior notification and approval of the contract by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Bars the receipt of advance payment for any such work. Makes such restriction applicable only to royalties received by such individuals after adoption of this resolution pursuant to any contract entered into while a Member, officer, or employee.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Colonia Waste Water Treatment Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California for waste water treatment for a political subdivision acting on behalf of a colonia that meets this Act's requirements or a colonia that: (1) is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria; (2) is located in the United States within 100 kilometers of the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; and (3) was in existence as a colonia before November 27, 1992. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Securities Litigation Title II: Commission Private Enforcement Study Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Private Securities Litigation - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit brokers, dealers, or associated persons from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any implied private action. (Sec. 101) Prohibits, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the use of funds disgorged solely as the result of any administrative or court action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. Modifies the guidelines for class action litigation, including: (1) recovery by named plaintiffs in the same manner as all other members of the class; (2) court determination of conflicts of interest on the part of counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (3) restrictions on settlements under seal; (4) restrictions on protective orders and sealing of cases; (5) prohibition of restrictions on disclosure of relevant information to the Congress or to State or Federal law enforcement agencies; (6) mandatory preservation of evidence; (7) payment of attorney's fees from settlement funds; (8) disclosure of settlement terms to class members; and (9) guidelines for contribution for damages. (Sec. 102) Sets forth special requirements for class action complaints with respect to certification, multiple securities class actions, and an early evaluation procedure employing the services of a mediator. (Sec. 103) Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to set forth guidelines for prosecution of persons who aid or abet violations of such Acts. (Sec. 104) Directs the SEC to: (1) adopt certain rules with respect to forward-looking statements concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on such rules. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prescribe litigation procedures with respect to safe harbors for forward-looking statements. (Sec. 105) Establishes a statute of limitations period for implied private rights of action. (Sec. 106) Modifies requirements for audits conducted by an independent public accountant of an issuer's financial statements to include procedures to: (1) detect illegal acts; (2) identify related party transactions material to financial statements; and (3) evaluate an issuer's ability to continue as a going concern. Sets forth notification and reporting guidelines for a public accountant who detects illegal activities during the course of an audit. Limits such auditor's liability for complying with such guidelines. Establishes civil penalties for an auditor's noncompliance with this Act. Title II: Commission Private Enforcement Study - Mandates that the attorneys for the litigants in a class action complaint promptly provide the SEC with copies of the pertinent materials. Authorizes the SEC to take enforcement actions based upon the submissions that it receives. (Sec. 202) Directs the SEC to submit a detailed report to the Congress regarding each implied private action filed as a class action for which it received notification, including: (1) litigation status; (2) litigant participation; (3) professional participation; and (4) actions based solely on forward-looking statements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1990 to authorize a special revolving fund used by Texas to make loans to specified colonias for construction of treatment works to be used to make grants for such purposes as well.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1995
United States One Dollar Coin Act of 1995 - Amends Federal currency law to prescribe the color and content of one-dollar coins. Prohibits a Federal reserve bank from placing into circulation any one-dollar Federal Reserve note after the date that the one-dollar coins are first placed in circulation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cease regular production of one-dollar Federal Reserve notes (except for such quantities as are required to meet collectors' needs).
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
Condemns the violence committed at two separate clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts, on December 30, 1994, and all other acts of violence, including threats and harassment, which are intended to intimidate law abiding citizens from engaging in lawful acts. Calls upon Federal law enforcement officials to act swiftly and decisively to protect clinics from such acts of terror by fully cooperating with local law enforcement officials, by thoroughly investigating threats and acts of violence, and by prosecuting those who commit such acts to the full extent of the law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Sets forth certain restrictions with respect to the enclosure space and diet in the raising of calves for veal. Subjects violators to specified civil and criminal remedies. Authorizes inspections by the Secretary of Agriculture or any designated representative.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the burden of proof with respect to all issues, in the case of any court proceeding, is on the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to identify in writing the specific kind or type of tax, and its specific implementing regulations, within 14 days upon the written request from any person made liable for such tax. Increases the limitation on the amount of recovery for civil damages for unauthorized collection actions by the Internal Revenue Service. Excludes such damages from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, or importation of school buses that are not equipped with seat belts (with particular emphasis on the use of an Aaron Gordon type flight attendant double shoulder harness mechanism or other appropriate safety restraint device providing equal or greater passenger safety). Sets forth civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Provides that the effective date for discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation and veterans' pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies (currently the last day of the month preceding death) in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse. Requires payments of such compensation to be made to the surviving spouse. Provides that the effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation for which application is received within one year from the date of the veteran's death shall be the day following the date of death in the case of a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to exclude the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the Federal and congressional budgets, and exempt it from any general budget limitation imposed by statute on U.S. budget outlays and from certain orders issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
COLA Equity Act - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to: (1) provide that the initial month for which a cost of living increase in military retired pay that becomes effective on December 1 of 1993, 1994, or 1995 is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the following year for persons who first became a member of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986; and (2) provide that such special rule shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Authorizes the heads of designated Federal agencies to use up to 50 percent of unobligated funds for administrative expenses for bonuses to personnel, with the remainder to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used exclusively for deficit reduction. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to designate such agencies and to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in reducing the deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Prohibits entities that employ people in Northern Ireland and Ireland from receiving U.S. funds from the International Fund for Ireland unless they comply with certain fair employment principles known as the MacBride Principles.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Restricts the use of any travel award that accrues by reason of official travel of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives to official travel only.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1994
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a demonstration project that establishes a highway corridor, to be known as the Camino Real Corridor, from Chihuahua, Mexico, through El Paso, Texas, to Denver, Colorado. Establishes the Camino Real Corridor Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1994
Women's Progress Assessment Act - Amends Federal census law to require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to collect, compile, and publish statistics concerning the status of women and girls of all ages in the United States, in foreign countries, and in refugee camps, including statistics in the following priority areas: (1) participation in the labor force and educational and political institutions; (2) the structure of, care of, and support for families; and (3) fertility regulation behavior and health. Requires the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, acting through its regional bureaus as well as its offices of population and women in development, and the Secretary of State, acting through the Bureau for Refugee Programs, to collect the information concerning the foreign countries and refugee camps. Requires the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator to seek to develop and establish internationally comparable measures and standard methodologies for collection of information on women and their roles in both a large scale quantitative manner and in-depth descriptive manner based on smaller samples, surveys, or case studies. Requires the U.S. Agency for International Development, the State Department, and the Bureau of the Census to incorporate these measures and methodologies into their current and future data collection effort. Requires the Bureau of the Census to promote these measures and methodologies in international programs. Requires the Secretary to publish the collected statistics, together with information obtained from other Federal entities: (1) for the United States, in 1997 and every second year thereafter; and (2) for foreign countries, in 1999 and every fifth year thereafter. Requires: (1) the Secretary to establish a Federal Forum on Women's Statistics; and (2) the Forum to meet semiannually to exchange information on current collection and survey initiatives and to avoid duplication of efforts, to identify gaps in data, and to carry out other activities as the Secretary shall designate.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to establish a centralized personnel locator service that includes the addresses of each member of the armed forces. Requires addresses of members of the Coast Guard to be included upon request of the Secretary of Transportation. Requires the Secretary to update the locator service within 30 days after a listed member establishes a new address. Directs the Secretary to make such information available, upon request, to the Federal Parent Locator Service. Directs the Secretary of each military department (and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy) to prescribe regulations to facilitate the granting of leave for purposes of attending court hearings to determine either parentage or an obligation to provide child support. States that it is not necessary that the date of a certification of the authenticity or completeness of a copy of a court order for child support received by the Secretary concerned (such support to be paid through the retired pay of the member involved) be recent. Allows the Secretary concerned to make required child support payments to a State when a spouse or former spouse assigns to a State the right to receive support. Empowers the Secretary concerned to pay child support arrearages through the disposable retired pay of the responsible member.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1994
George Washington Boyhood Home Commemorative Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of a profile of George Washington and a depiction of his xboyhood home. Declares that all surcharges received from coin sales shall be paid to the George Washington Boyhood Home Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1994
Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for the transport or possession of a confined exotic animal for purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or the collection of a trophy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1994
Civil Rights Procedures Protection Act of 1994 - Amends specified Federal civil rights statutes (including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the equal pay requirement under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993) to prevent the involuntary application of arbitration to claims that arise from unlawful employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President is: (1) required to obtain the prior approval of the Congress before U.S. armed forces may undertake offensive military action against the military leadership of Haiti in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 940; and (2) recognized as having the inherent authority to use such forces to protect or evacuate U.S. citizens from imminent danger or for humanitarian purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Extends the condolences of the House of Representatives to the families and friends who lost loved ones in the bombings of the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations on July 18, 1994, and the Panamanian commuter plane on July 20, 1994. Condemns such attacks on innocent people and calls for worldwide cooperation in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Condemns anti-Semitism, neo-Nazi activities, and terrorism wherever they occur and urges all members of the world community to do the same. Expresses support for the Jewish communities in Argentina, Panama, and the United Kingdom for their efforts to attain safety and security in their own countries. Urges the Governments and people of Argentina and Panama to continue to work to stamp out anti-Semitism and neo-Nazism.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1994
Fair Pay Act of 1994 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in payment of wages on the basis of sex, race, or national origin. Requires such nondiscriminatory equal pay for equivalent jobs with the same employer, unless the differential payment is made pursuant to a system of seniority, merit, or production quality or quantity based earnings. Prohibits discrimination against an employee for exercising rights under this Act. Directs the court, in actions brought for violations of this Act, to allow expert fees as part of the costs, in addition to any other remedies awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows such actions to be maintained as class actions. Requires employers to keep records and file annual reports with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) necessary for enforcement of this Act. Provides that such reports' contents shall be public information. Directs the EEOC to carry out a research, education, and technical assistance program for employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1994
Presidential Commission on Telemedicine Act - Establishes the Presidential Commission on Telemedicine, which shall review and study the use of telecommunications and information systems technologies in: (1) the provision of health care and the performance of health research; (2) the training of students of health professions and the continuing education of practicing health care providers; and (3) the monitoring of medical conditions by individuals at home. Requires the Commission to: (1) assess whether such technologies are effective in improving the quality and accessibility of health care and reducing its cost; (2) examine methods by which training in the use of telecommunications and information systems technologies in the delivery of health care might be improved; (3) analyze any obstacles that may impede the wide use and acceptance of such technologies by health care providers; and (4) develop a model definition of the term "telemedicine." Requires a final report to the President and the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should seek an international agreement prohibiting the production, possession, transfer, and use of antipersonnel landmines; and (2) a moratorium by the United States on the purchase and production of antipersonnel landmines would encourage other nations to adopt similar measures. Prohibits the U.S. Government from purchasing or producing such landmines effective 90 days after this Act's enactment date. Continues such moratorium for one year from this Act's enactment date. Urges the President to encourage other nations which are major producers of such landmines to adopt similar moratoria. Authorizes the President to extend the moratorium if other nations have adopted similar moratoria. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense for: (1) humanitarian activities relating to the clearing and disarming of landmines and the protection of civilians from landmines; and (2) contributions to United Nations funds and nongovernmental organizations to support such activities. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development and the Secretary of State to submit to the Congress a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the social, economic, and environmental costs and effects of antipersonnel landmines. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the total number of members of the armed forces killed or wounded by antipersonnel landmines during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, and the Persian Gulf War.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1994
Communications Opportunity Act of 1994 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure the participation of small businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned by minorities and women ("designated entities") in the provision of spectrum-based services, particularly through licenses. Directs the FCC, if it uses competitive bidding to grant three or more licenses which serve a market, to reserve at least one license, of up to 30 megahertz, for bidding by designated entities. Reserves at least two licenses for bidding by designated entities, one of which is at least 30 megahertz, if more than six licenses are to be conferred through competitive bidding. Requires the FCC to provide bidding preferences to designated entities which choose to bid on other licenses, but prohibits the FCC from substituting such preferences for the license reservations. Directs the FCC to equalize licenses to be bid on initially by size and area and prohibits discrimination between designated entity licenses and other licenses. Requires the FCC, in developing rules regarding licenses and licensees for the same service, to take into account the impact of those rules on the competitiveness and access to financing of designated entities. Directs the FCC, particularly for rural areas, to provide a simple regulatory process to allow and encourage voluntary partitioning of licenses between overall license holders and rural telephone companies and others which wish to serve smaller portions of the license area. Requires the FCC to seek to remove or lessen regulatory and business barriers to successful participation by designated entities and to provide flexibility to such entities, including flexibility to requirements of financial capability. Authorizes designated entity licensees to freely transfer a license to a third party which qualifies as a designated entity, without additional financial penalties or obligations. Permits the transfer to non-designated entities but requires such parties to pay the balance due of the spectrum bid immediately. Requires such parties to pay the difference, if any, between the amount initially bid by the designated entity and the market price for such licenses, based on the average of non-designated entity bids for similar licenses in that market.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1994
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to establish procedures for monthly reporting to certain consumer reporting agencies of child support obligations owed by absent parents. Requires prior notice to such parents and a reasonable opportunity to contest the accuracy of any information about overdue support payable that would be provided to such agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1994
Bovine Growth Hormone Milk Labeling and Residue Test Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to impose labeling requirements on milk and milk products intended for human consumption produced from cows treated with synthetic bovine growth hormone (BGH). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations for recordkeeping by persons who sell, purchase, distribute, or use synthetic BGH. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a detection test for synthetic BGH residues in milk.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1994 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including employing authorities of the House of Representatives, employing offices of the Senate, and instrumentalities of the Congress. Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits quotas and preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except in their for-profit activities); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State and Federal immunity. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Prohibits retaliation and coercion. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
Bovine Growth Hormone Milk Act - Title I: Labeling - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to impose labeling requirements on milk and milk products intended for human consumption produced from cows treated with synthetic bovine growth hormone (BGH). Directs the Secretary to issue recordkeeping regulations for persons who sell, buy, distribute, or use synthetic BGH. Establishes civil penalties for labeling, recordkeeping, or related violations. Title II: Reduction in Price - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to reduce the price received for milk produced by cows injected with synthetic BGH. Title III: Residue Test - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a detection test for synthetic BGH residues in milk.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1994
United States-China Act of 1994 - Declares that if nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) is not granted to China by reason of the enactment of a congressional disapproval resolution, such treatment shall continue to apply to goods that are produced by a person that is not a state-owned Chinese enterprise, but not apply to any goods that are produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Provides that if nondiscriminatory treatment is granted to China for a 12-month period on July 3, 1994, such treatment shall not apply to: (1) any good that is produced by the People's Liberation Army or a Chinese defense industrial trading company; or (2) any nonqualified good that is produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Provides that in order for such treatment to be granted to China, the Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with American businesses that have significant trade with or investment in China, to encourage them to adopt a voluntary code of conduct that: (1) follows internationally recognized human rights principles; (2) ensures the employment of Chinese citizens is not discriminatory in terms of sex, ethnic origin, or political belief; (3) ensures that no convict, forced, or indentured labor is knowingly used; (4) recognizes the rights of workers to freely organize and bargain collectively; and (5) discourages mandatory political indoctrination on business premises. Requires the Secretary to determine, and publish in the Federal Register, which persons are state-owned Chinese enterprises and Chinese defense industrial trading companies. Authorizes the President to waive any condition or prohibition imposed under this Act if he determines and reports to the Congress that its continued imposition would have a serious adverse effect on vital U.S. national security interests. Declares that if the President recommends in 1995 that the waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment for China be continued, he shall state in a specified report to the Congress the extent to which China has made progress with respect to: (1) adhering to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (2) ceasing the exportation to the United States of products made with convict, forced, or indentured labor; (3) ceasing unfair and discriminatory trade practices which restrict and unreasonably burden American businesses; and (4) adhering to the guidelines of the Missile Technology Control Regime and the controls adopted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Locate and Case Tracking Title II: Establishment Title III: Parentage Title IV: Enforcement Title V: Collection and Distribution Title VI: Federal Role Title VII: State Role Child Support Responsibility Act of 1994 - Title I: Locate and Case Tracking - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a Federal registry of child support orders or modifications issued by any State court or administrative order or both. Provides for State access to such registry. (Sec. 102)Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include among the functions of the Federal Parent Locator System: (1) establishing parentage; and (2) establishing, modifying, enforcing child support obligations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide prompt access to the Secretary of all Federal income tax returns filed by individuals. Instructs the Secretary to expand the Parent Locator Service to establish a national network based on the comprehensive statewide child support enforcement systems to expand State access to the national parent locator network. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a national reporting system on employees and their child support obligations through the mandatory inclusion of certain child support information on W-4 forms (including the availability of health care insurance). (Sec. 104) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to have in effect statutory mechanisms which: (1) establish a child support order registry to transmit abstracts of State child support orders to the Federal Registry and distribute child support proceeds withheld from a delinquent parent's wages; and (2) allow an individual to bring an action against an employer or State official for noncompliance with this Act. Prescribes parameters for direct wage withholding, State agency access to various data bases, and expanded interaction with the National Parent Locator Network. (Sec. 105) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to integrate child support obligations and payments within the structure of income tax returns, including: (1) assessment and collection of child support arrearages; and (2) payment to State registries of child support amounts collected by the Secretary of the Treasury. Title II: Establishment - Amends part D of SSA title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to set forth procedural guidelines for service of process on Federal employees and members of the armed services in connection with proceedings relating to child support and parentage obligations. (Sec. 204) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to: (1) study and report to the Congress on the advisability of a national child support guideline; (2) develop such a guideline, if advisable. (Sec. 205) Includes among the requisite components of approved State plans: (1) a specified duration of child support; (2) electronic transmittal of State documents; (3) telephonic appearance in interstate cases; (4) uniform terms in child support orders; (5) social security numbers on marriage licenses, divorce decrees, parentage decrees, and birth certificates; (6) administrative subpoena powers; (7) State-conducted surveys and outreach programs for underserved populations; and (8) State guidelines for child health care insurance. (Sec. 213) Amends the Federal judicial code to set forth rules governing modification of sister State child support orders. Title III: Parentage - Requires approved State plans to include prescribed procedures for paternity acknowledgment. Title IV: Enforcement - Requires approved State plans to include prescribed procedures for garnishment of wages for parents in arrears for child support, including: (1) Federal death benefits; (2) black lung benefits; (3) veterans benefits, and (4) workers' compensation. (Sec. 404) Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to provide that: (1) its garnishment restrictions neither pre-empt State law, nor exempt any person from complying with State or Federal laws permitting garnishment for the purpose of securing child support; and (2) a garnishment intended to satisfy a child support debt takes priority over competing debts owed to the Federal government. (Sec. 405) Mandates that approved State plans include procedures to satisfy child support arrearages which: (1) prohibit a State court from applying the doctrine of election of remedies to prevent a custodial parent from collecting child support from the noncustodial parent; (2) prohibit State and Federal occupational licensing or regulating agencies from issuing or renewing occupational, professional or business licenses to individuals who fail to appear or are delinquent in child support cases; (3) prohibit State motor vehicle departments from issuing or renewing a driver's license or vehicle registration to such individuals; (4) require placement of child support liens on certificates of vehicle title; (5) permit attachment of bank accounts; (6) impose liens upon lottery winnings, insurance, court and other settlements; (7) presume fraudulent intent in any property transfer; (8) permit attachment of public and private retirement plans; (9) eliminate statutes of limitations in child support cases; and (10) require child support enforcement agencies to assess and collect interest on child support judgments. (Sec. 418) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to: (1) except from its automatic stay provisions proceedings establishing parentage and debts for child support; (2) require a bankruptcy plan to provide for full payment when due of debts for child support; (3) declare that a debt for child support includes State public debts and assigned child support based on provision of expenditures with respect to aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) and foster care and adoption assistance; (4) include among prioritized claims allowed unsecured claims for child support; (5) preclude a debtor from avoiding the fixing of judicial liens for child support; (6) except from discharge a debt pursuant to divorce or separation; and (7) prohibit trustee avoidance of a transfer that was a bona fide payment of a debt for child support. (Sec. 419) Prescribes procedural mandates for the Secretary of Defense to cooperate with the States in the enforcement of child support obligations of members and former members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 420) Requires each State to have in effect laws which adopt the officially approved version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. (Sec. 421) Authorizes the Secretary of State to deny or restrict passport privileges to child support debtors subject to State arrest warrants. Denies Federal benefits, loans, guarantees, and employment to debtors with child support arrearages exceeding specified amounts. (Sec. 423) Amends part D of SSA title IV (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to mandate that approved State plans include procedures to satisfy child support arrearages by permitting State courts to order: (1) assignments of life insurance benefits; and (2) assignment of an interest in jointly held property. (Sec. 425) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Mandates that the States treat international child support cases in the same manner as interstate child support cases. (Sec. 426) Prescribes guidelines for shielding depository institutions from liability for providing financial records to State enforcement agencies in child support cases. (Sec. 427) Mandates that approved State plans include procedures to ensure: (1) cost-of-living adjustments in child support orders; (2) annual exchange of financial information by parties to a child support order; and (3) criminal penalties for failure to pay child support and the granting of use immunity may be granted to compel testimony in specified civil child support proceedings. Title V: Collection and Distribution - Prescribes priorities in the distribution of collected child support pursuant to an approved State plan. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on studies and pilot projects of systems under which States would be required to pay child support to the individuals to whom it is owed before making reimbursements to any State for AFDC provided with respect to such child. (Sec. 502) Mandates that approved State plans include procedures which limit State claims against the noncustodial parent to the assistance provided to the child. (Sec. 503) Revises the fee guidelines for State child support collection and paternity determination services. Title VI: Federal Role - Directs the Secretary to establish the Office of Child Support Enforcement under the direction of an Assistant Secretary. Expands the training programs for State child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary to develop the methodology for determining each State child support and paternity establishment program's staffing requirements. (Sec. 605) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to revise the definition of "medical child support order". (Sec. 606) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) contract for a study of the audit process of the Office of Child Support Enforcement; and (2) make grants to the States for demonstration projects implementing a system of assured minimum child support payments. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 608) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create the Children's Trust Fund for making expenditures to implement this Act. (Sec. 609) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the causes for nonpayment of child support; and (2) the efficacy of processing child support and parentage cases in States that use administrative processes as compared to those that use judicial or quasi-judicial processes. (Sec. 611) Directs the Office of Child Support Enforcement to: (1) produce and update a certain compendium entitled "A Guide to State Child Support and Paternity Laws" and (2) establish a permanent advisory committee on child support matters. Title VII: State Role - Mandates that State plans for child and spousal support include: (1) agency advocacy promoting the greatest economic security possible for children; (2) certain information on plan services for dissemination to each custodial parent; (3) an administrative procedure as the sole procedure for change of payee; and (4) conflict-of-interest restrictions upon State modification of a child support order. (Sec. 705) Provides for increased payments to States under the Child Support and Establishment of Paternity program, repealing provisions for State incentive payments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) trafficking in persons violates human dignity and forced prostitution involving physical coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of forced labor and a slavery-like practice; (2) the U.S. State Department should continue to press the Government of Thailand to strictly enforce all laws that can lead to the prosecution of those involved in trafficking and forced prostitution, ensure that Thai police participants in U.S. Government-sponsored police training programs are systematically vetted to exclude those implicated in such activities, urge the Thai Government to protect the rights and safety of Burmese women and girls in Thailand who are freed from brothels or arrested as illegal immigrants because their status as trafficking victims is unclear, appoint a senior advisor on women's human rights to the Undersecretary for Global Affairs to ensure that U.S. foreign policy addresses women's human rights violations, and report to the Congress; (3) the executive branch should take steps to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of those forces who might be involved in trafficking, forced prostitution, or abuse of women who are apprehended; (4) the U.S. Trade Representative should extend the evaluation of a petition on Thailand's labor rights situation that was filed last year to include a review of Thai official involvement in trafficking and forced prostitution; and (5) the U.S. Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese women in the Thai sex industry.
![Official portrait of Rep. Schroeder, Patricia [D-CO-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000142_200.jpg)