United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to require that excess cheese held by the Commodity Credit Corporation be made available, at the request of the chief executive officer of a State, upon a showing of need, and without charge, for distribution by eligible agencies in the State.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Expresses the support of the Congress for the programs regarding the understanding of slavery of the National Council for Education and Economic Development, Incorporated, and for the program to raise an endowment to assure the permanent location of a commemorative structure within the National Park System dedicated to understanding, knowledge, opportunity, and equality for all people.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1986
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for asbestos hazard abatement in the schools. Requires each local educational agency to develop an asbestos management plan which provides for inspections, removal, reinspections, and the use of accredited consultants involved in developing the plan or in the response actions concerning friable asbestos-containing material. Requires warning labels on any friable asbestos-containing material and asbestos-containing material still in routine maintenance areas of a school building. Requires local educational agencies to respond to asbestos according to EPA's most current guidance document, if the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations within the prescribed period. Requires such agencies to develop and implement operation and maintenance and management plans for friable asbestos-containing material in school buildings, including inspections and State approval. Sets forth standards for ambient interior concentrations of asbestos after completion of response actions under the current guidance document. Requires that the public be informed and protected during the phases of the management plan, including transportation and disposal. Requires each State Governor to establish administrative procedures for reviewing school asbestos management plans to be carried forward by the local educational agency. Directs the Administrator to develop a model accreditation plan for States to give accreditation to individuals who inspect, manage, and respond to friable asbestos problems in schools. Requires EPA training courses or trained personnel to meet such standards. Makes the use of accredited personnel a condition for receiving financial assistance under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Makes any local educational agency which fails to comply with this Act liable for civil penalties, including injunctive action. Requires the Administrator or appropriate Governor to investigate citizen complaints. Permits citizen suits to compel the Administrator to meet deadlines for promulgating regulations. Authorizes the Administrator or the appropriate State Governor to take necessary response measures where the presence of airborne asbestos or the condition of friable asbestos-containing material in a school building may be hazardous and adequate local measures have not been taken. Sets forth notification requirements and cost recovery entitlements when such actions are taken. Provides that State law is not preempted from imposing additional liability or more stringent requirements with respect to asbestos in schools. Limits the liability of asbestos contractors or local educational agencies performing activities under this Act to damages caused by negligent actions or intentional misconduct. Prohibits discrimination by a State or local educational agency against a whistle-blower. Directs the Administrator to appoint an Asbestos Ombudsman to answer complaints and inquiries concerning aspects of this Act. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress within one year on the need for a similar program for public and commercial buildings. Establishes the Asbestos Trust Fund in the Treasury to carry out the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Assistance Program. States that such Fund shall consist of amounts repayed under loans under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Directs the Administrator to make grants to States during FY 1988 for grants to local educational agencies to inspect for asbestos in school buildings and develop management plans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1986
Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for the construction and rehabilitation of permanent housing for rental to AFDC recipients who would otherwise require AFDC emergency assistance in the form of temporary housing. Requires that such grants be used to provide permanent housing which is: (1) owned by the State, an instrumentality of the State, or a nonprofit organization; (2) available to families who have been unable to find decent nontemporary housing at rents that can be paid with AFDC aid for shelter; and (3) located in jurisdictions experiencing a critical shortage of such housing. Requires that: (1) the costs of providing permanent housing be lower than costs which would be incurred if, instead, the State made AFDC emergency assistance payments providing temporary housing; and (2) the most costly temporary housing be retired from use in the emergency assistance program as permanent housing becomes available for occupancy, unless temporary housing is demonstrably needed. Sets the State contribution to the cost of constructing or rehabilitating such housing at the greater of 50 percent or the current State AFDC share increased by ten percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Medicare Timely Payment Amendments of 1986 - Amends parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require fiscal intermediaries and carriers to pay the claims of Medicare providers and beneficiaries, and give such providers and beneficiaries notice of improperly submitted claims, within 22 days of receiving such claims (unless payment is made on a periodic interim payment basis). Requires the Federal Government to pay the interest accruing on such claims for the period during which the payment or notice is past due. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from modifying certain regulations relating to the periodic interim payment method of reimbursing providers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1986
Amends the National Housing Act to provide the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with permanent authority to insure mortgages on single-family dwellings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1986
Highway Beautification Act of 1986 - Amends Federal law regarding outdoor advertising to require the Secretary of Transportation to submit an annual report to the Congress detailing the extent to which each State is in compliance with the outdoor advertising requirements. Provides that a State shall be deemed as failing to provide effective control of outdoor advertising if the State allows vegetation located on State rights-of-way for Interstate or primary system highways to be altered or removed if the purpose of such alteration is to improve the visibility of certain outdoor advertising. Specifies exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1986
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to authorize the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to provide for payment of attorney's fees for the representation before the Committee of any Member, officer, or employee against whom a complaint is made by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1986
Directs the Postmaster General to produce and sell postage stamps commemorating the crew of the space shuttle Challenger. Requires that the design for the stamps be selected from among designs submitted by elementary and secondary school students.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for damaging or destroying any religious real property or interfering with any person's free exercise of religious beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Hunger Relief Act of 1986 - Title I: General Food and Nutrition Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the thrifty food plan base by specified annual percentages. Exempts the first $50 paid in child support from counting for food stamp program eligibility. Increases the shelter deduction cap. Sets the threshold for the elderly and disabled medical deduction at the lesser of five percent of monthly income, or $35 a month. Increases resource limitations to: (1) $2,250 for nonelderly households; (2) $3,500 for elderly households; and (3) $5,500 for automobiles. Makes State outreach programs for the elderly, disabled, or the unemployed eligible for matching funds. Increases FY 1987 through 1990 program authorizations. Requires a report to the House and the Senate evaluating the budgetary and administrative consequences of an equity-based calculation of household resources. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to increase authorization levels for commodity distributions. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase authorization levels for the expanded program of food, nutrition, and consumer education. Title II: Special Food and Nutrition Programs for Children, Women, and the Elderly - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to reduce the amount children pay for a reduced price breakfast. Increases Federal reimbursement to improve the nutritional quality of school breakfasts by five cents, and by ten cents for "severe need" schools. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the nutrition requirements for breakfasts served under such Act. Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the amount children pay for a reduced price lunch. Permits reimbursement for an additional meal or snack under the child care feeding program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase FY 1987 through 1989 authorizations for the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children. Increases authorization limits for nutrition education training in schools. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase FY 1987 authorizations for congregate meals, home delivered meals, and nutrition education for the elderly. Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to authorize FY 1987 appropriations for the community food and nutrition program. Title III: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1986 - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Sets forth the purposes of and definitions for this title. Subtitle B: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which will be implemented by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and of Agriculture. Establishes an Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the implementation of such program. Authorizes the Secretaries to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to coordinate such program. Sets forth the functions of the Secretaries with respect to such program, including: (1) establishing matching grants programs for specified nutritional and dietary purposes; and (2) submitting an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Requires the Secretaries to prepare and implement a comprehensive national nutrition monitoring and related research plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Requires the Secretaries to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council - Establishes a National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretaries. Subtitle D: Dietary Guidance - Directs the Secretaries to publish and review dietary guidelines for the general population. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Agricultural Shipper Protection Act of 1986 - Delineates the essential terms of an agricultural commodities transportation contract which must be made available to the general public in tariff format. Deems any subsequent changes to such terms to be a new contract for purposes of this Act. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to promulgate within 60 days after enactment of this Act regulations which require such essential contract terms to be made available to the general public in tariff format. Proscribes rail transportation service under a contract until such contract receives Commission approval. Directs the railroad contract rate advisory service to: (1) assess the impact on competition among agricultural shippers of contract rate variations for various shipments and published single car rates; and (2) report to the Congress within 120 days after the enactment date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
National Organ and Tissue Donor Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage and assist States in enacting and implementing State laws requiring hospitals to establish protocols for identifying and assisting human organ and tissue donors. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within one year on such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
Requires the President, by the later of 60 days after enactment of this Act or August 1, 1986, to report to the Congress on: (1) the status of implementation of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness; and (2) future plans for implementation of such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress before carrying out any plan for the renovation, development, or use of any building on Ellis Island or any other building that is ancillary to the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Prohibits the Secretary from carrying out such plan before the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the submission of the report.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require packaged foods sold by restaurants which are part of a chain of ten or more restaurants to comply with certain food labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Work Opportunities and Retraining Compact of 1986 - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require AFDC applicants and recipients to register with a State agency for employment counseling, training, and assignment. Authorizes AFDC recipients to refuse employment which results in a net loss in their income. Directs an agency of each State to: (1) establish a single intake and registration process for AFDC applicants and recipients; (2) determine whether training or education is needed to prepare registered applicants and recipients for employment and then provide counseling regarding prospects and needs; (3) arrange for participation in one or more of the work-related programs established under title IV of the Act or other Federal law, while coordinating such programs to enhance the availability and efficiency of services provided; and (4) develop an employment plan for each AFDC applicant or recipient. Requires the State agency to provide AFDC applicants and recipients assigned to employment, training, or education programs with child care and transportation services. Sets the Federal contribution to education, training, and assignment costs at 70 percent and the Federal share of administrative and support service costs at 50 percent. Increases, by five percent in any fiscal year after FY 1987, the Federal share of education, training, and assignment costs, provided a State meets certain performance standards to be developed by the Office of Technology Assessment. Provides that such standards shall measure a State's success in reducing welfare costs and helping AFDC recipients achieve self-sufficiency, while accounting for differing conditions among the States. Requires the publication of such standards within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1986
Limits the obligation of funds for the deployment and maintenance of launchers for U.S. nuclear weapons. Waives such limitations if: (1) the President so requests in writing to the Congress, citing national security reasons for such waiver; and (2) each House of the Congress votes to authorize such waiver by bill or joint resolution within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1986
Sub-Saharan Africa Natural Resource and Environmental Management Training and Education Act of 1986 - Requires the President, in order to promote a long-term development program for sub-Saharan Africa, to establish and provide assistance for a training and education program to encourage the development and utilization of appropriate natural resources and environmental management techniques. Requires particular emphasis to be placed on local-level training in techniques using smaller, cost-saving, community-based technologies. Sets forth elements to be included in such program. Requires the training under this program to incorporate women's needs in appropriate proportions to their traditional participation in the targeted activity. Requires each Agency for International Development (AID) development strategy statement for each sub-Saharan African country to include a plan to assist that country in the development of an effective natural resource and environmental management training and education program. Requires program activities to include close consultation with, and involvement of, community and local organizations. Requires the objectives of this Act to be accomplished whenever practicable through private and voluntary organizations or national nongovernmental organizations. Requires AID to make available funds for training and education activities in sub-Saharan African countries in accordance with this Act for FY 1987. Urges AID to request technical assistance from other Federal agencies where appropriate. Requires AID to review and report to the Congress on the effectiveness of existing indigenous capabilities for natural resource and environmental management training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 - Prohibits U.S. persons from: (1) making loans to South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa; (2) making any investment in South Africa; (3) contributing technology or technological services to the exploration for, or the research, development, or production of, energy sources in or for South Africa; or (4) making deposits in a foreign bank which is organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans or a branch bank located in South Africa. Prohibits foreign banks organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans from establishing or operating branches in the United States. Excludes from such prohibitions those loans, investments, and technology contracts entered into before May 21, 1986. Prohibits importing uranium ore, uranium oxide, coal, and steel from South Africa. Prohibits: (1) U.S. persons from making or holding any investment in South Africa in a business that sells computers, computer software, or computer services; and (2) exporting computers, computer software, or computer services to South Africa. Provides that such computer investment and export prohibitions shall not apply if, within 12 months of enactment of this Act: (1) the President certifies to the Congress that South Africa has freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system or has totally dismantled the apartheid system; and (2) a joint resolution is enacted approving such certification. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution. Authorizes using additional funds for aid for South Africa under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Earmarks such funds for refugee assistance programs and community development projects. Requires the President to give quarterly reports to specified congressional committees on the assistance provided with such funds. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the takeoff and landing in the United States of aircraft owned by South Africa or South African nationals except in emergencies. Provides for the enforcement of this Act and for penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the President to try, through negotiations, to persuade other countries to adopt restrictions on activities with respect to South Africa consistent with this Act. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the status of such negotiations. Sets forth information to be included in such reports. Requires the President, during June of 1988, to report to the Congress on whether South Africa has: (1) freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system; or (2) has totally dismantled the apartheid system. Requires the President, if such conditions have not been met, to include in such report recommendations on whether U.S. persons should be required to divest themselves of their South African investments. Terminates all the provisions of this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a presidential determination that such conditions have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Admiralty Island Land Exchange Act of 1986 - Offers to transfer specified lands and make monetary payments to Shee Atika, Inc., and Sealaska, Inc., Alaska Native Corporations, in exchange for specified lands on Admiralty Island, Alaska. Sets forth the terms under which timber harvesting and mining may continue after an acceptance of the exchange. Sets forth the terms of reservation of certain rights and perpetual easements to the United States in the lands conveyed for Admiralty Island lands. Incorporates such newly acquired lands on Admiralty Island into the Admiralty Island National Monument. Exempts activities taken under this Act from other Federal laws, except as specified. Limits standing and jurisdiction concerning any claims brought under this Act to the parties directly affected by this Act and to the U.S. District Court of Alaska. Makes funds necessary to implement this Act available from timber and other resources receipts from National Forest System lands. States that acceptance of this offer constitutes satisfaction of the entitlements of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into negotiations with Kootznoowoo, Inc., to acquire specified lands on Admiralty Island in exchange for specified National Forest lands.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to send to specified congressional committees a statement of the amount of assistance provided by Japan to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (including such assistance to the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Insurance Information Act of 1986 - Requires commercial insurance companies to report specified information annually to the Secretary of Commerce. Details the reporting requirements, which include data on premiums, claims, legal costs, economic losses, investment income, and cancellations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue a report summarizing such information by September 30 of each year; and (2) send copies of such report to specified Federal and State officials (to be made available to the general public upon request). Establishes a maximum penalty of $100,000, or five years imprisonment, or both, for any person who: (1) fails to file such report as prescribed; or (2) knowingly makes any false statement or omission of fact in such report. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue regulations to implement this Act; (2) issue a list of standard classes of business and of standard units of exposure for which any commercial insurance company must report data; and (3) issue a reporting form to be used by commercial insurance companies to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Requests the President to establish a cooperative international research program concerning the greenhouse effect of increased concentration of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Requires any such program established by the President to be started during or before 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1986
Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to promulgate regulations relating to the exchange of land or land interests, including the submission of appraisals in disagreement to binding arbitration. Requires regulations governing appraisals to reflect nationally recognized appraisal standards and the differences between acquisition appraisals and transfer appraisals. Makes funding available for such exchanges for FY 1988 through 1997 from oil and gas lease revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that if the basis recovery rule for annuities of employees who contribute to their retirement program is changed in tax reform legislation, in no event should such change apply to individuals retiring before the date of enactment of such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
States that U.S. defense programs should not carry out any development, test, or deployment activity of any antiballistic missile system or component. (This is in conformance with the defense system restrictions of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1986
Torture Victim Protection Act of 1986 - Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to impose civil liability on anyone who, under actual or apparent authority of any foreign nation, subjects any person to torture or extrajudicial killing. Grants jurisdiction over such cases to U.S. district courts only after claimants have exhausted all available remedies in the place in which the conduct giving rise to the claim occurred.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1986
Grants congressional approval to the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau. Sets forth the provisions of such Compact. (Declares that the people of Palau are self-governing. States that the United States shall provide grant and program assistance to Palau. Declares that the United States has full authority and responsibility for the security and defense of Palau.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), or the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of public domain National Forest System lands, to lease onshore Federal lands for oil and gas development by competitive bidding if the appropriate Secretary determines such lands to be suitable for such development. Increases land units for development from 640 acres to 2,560 acres. Requires the Secretary to: (1) invite public nomination of areas favorable for oil and gas discovery at least once each calendar quarter; (2) automatically offer to lease any area receiving two or more such public nominations if the Secretary has determined such areas to be available and suitable for leasing; (3) hold competitive oil and gas lease sales on a quarterly basis; and (4) issue a lease to the highest responsible qualified bidder. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the initial five-year lease term of a non-producing oil or gas lease only upon finding that the lessee could not adequately explore during the initial lease term due to certain circumstances not attributable to the lessee. Requires an extension application to include an exploration plan. Limits total extensions to five years. Proscribes guidelines for rentals and royalties. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report periodically to the Congress regarding fees, rentals, and royalty payments; (2) notify the appropriate State Governor and the general public of scheduled lease offerings and of the scheduled approval of lease development activities; (3) regulate all surface-disturbing operations conducted under a lease; and (4) determine surface-resources conservation activities. Conditions the granting of a drilling permit on an oil or gas lease upon: (1) the Secretary's approval of an operations plan covering all surface-disturbing activities; and (2) the posting of sufficient bond by the lessee to ensure reclamation of surface disturbing activities. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any lease on national forest lands without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Conditions the issuance of oil and gas leases on public lands (or public domain national forest lands) upon evaluation and approval of such leases in a land use plan meeting specified environmental requirements. Proscribes the issuance of oil and gas leases upon specified wilderness study lands. Authorizes either Secretary to issue permits for prospecting, seismic surveys, and core sampling not requiring road construction or improvements, if such activity is conducted in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment. Prohibits the use of explosives in designated wilderness areas. Requires an exploration license for the commercial exploration of oil and gas on lands subject to this Act. Sets forth a one-year term for such license. Provides that exploration licenses for lands under the jurisdiction of other Federal agencies may only be issued by the Secretary of the Interior upon such conditions as the surface management agency may prescribe regarding the use and protection of the nonmineral interest in those lands. Imposes a fine for commercial oil and gas exploration without a commercial exploration license.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Health Care Improved Access Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on large employers equal to ten percent of the expenses paid for employee health benefits if the employer does not participate in a State established qualified health insurance pooling association. Defines a "large employer" as an employer who has employed 20 or more individuals on each of 20 days during the taxable year. Defines a "qualified pooling association" as a State chartered nonprofit corporation which offers individuals and their dependents health insurance which: (1) has a limit of annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered services of $1,500 for individual coverage and $3,000 for family coverage; (2) has a lifetime benefit limit for any individual of not less than $500,000; (3) has deductibles which do not exceed $1,000; (4) denies services for preexisting conditions for no more than six months; (5) has a pool premium rate which does not exceed 150 percent of the average premium rates for comparable health insurance coverage; and (6) assesses losses of the pool equitably among all participating members. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require States to develop programs of health care assistance for the uninsured and the underinsured. Requires that such program must provide for payment for the unreimbursed costs incurred by each hospital in the State in furnishing medically necessary inpatient and outpatient services. Requires States to implement such a program by January 1, 1988, or on the first January 1st following State legislative sessions which do not occur before January 1, 1988, in order to continue to qualify for Federal matching funds for Medicare administrative expenses. Denies an income tax deduction for employer contributions made to group health plans unless: (1) the employer allows terminated employees the option of continuing health insurance for a period of up to 22 months after termination (extended from 18 months); (2) the employer continues premium payments for health benefits for a period of four months after an employee has been involuntarily terminated; and (3) the employer provides an open-enrollment period when an employee's spouse has lost employment. Allows an income tax deduction for certain group health plan contributions for the benefit of self-employed individuals. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct studies and demonstration projects on ways to reduce the costs for small employers and self-employed individuals in obtaining health insurance. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the results of such studies and demonstration projects not later than January 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Air Carrier Antitrust Enforcement Restoration Act of 1986 - Amends the Clayton Act to provide for the enforcement by the U.S. Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission of provisions relating to the merger of air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Declares that the House of Representatives urges: (1) the Soviet Union to share with the international scientific community information about the Chernobyl accident and to open the nuclear site for international inspection; (2) the establishment of an international emergency alert system; (3) the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish safety standards for nuclear power plants; and (4) the United States and other member nations of the Agency to implement standards by directing the Agency to establish an international emergency response force. Encourages the formation of an international commission to examine the causes of the Chernobyl accident.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1986
Ballistic Knife Prohibition Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the possession, manufacture, sale, importation, and mailing of ballistic knives (knives with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism).
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Manufacture and Public Distribution of Certain Copyrighted Material Act - Amends the copyright law to extend indefinitely the manufacturing clause, which prohibits the importation of certain English language books not manufactured in the United States or Canada. Eliminates the Canadian exemption, per se, after 1988. Permits exemptions from such restriction if a foreign country, including Canada, is certified by the United States Trade Representative as providing adequate copyright protection for U.S. nationals and such country freely trades in printed matter with the United States or adheres to a bilateral or multilateral agreement with the United States and supports internationally recognized workers' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Economic Diversification Promotion Act of 1986 - Amends title III (Special Programs) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (the Act) to add a new part F: Industry-Education Partnership for Training and Retraining in Defense-Dependent Communities. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to carry out industry-education partnership training programs in defense-dependent communities. Provides that such funds will be used solely for vocational education programs designed to train and retrain workers at defense or defense-related industries or facilities and other workers in defense-dependent communities to allow such workers to find employment in nondefense or defense-related businesses or industries. Requires coordination of part F programs with those under the Job Training Partnership Act and under title II (Basic State Grants for Vocational Education) of the Act. Requires active participation of State vocational education councils in developing part F programs. Requires at least 50 percent of program funds from non-Federal sources, and 50 percent of such non-Federal funds from participating business and industries (through cash or in-kind contributions). Provides that the Federal share of program costs shall be available equally from part F funds and from funds allotted to States under title II of the Act. Provides for State designation of specified funds for program use if an eligible recipient demonstrates that it is incapable of providing its share. Permits grant funds to be used solely for the part F programs already described and for: (1) limited administrative costs; (2) training and retraining of instructional and guidance personnel; (3) curriculum and materials development; and (4) other activities authorized under title III of the Act which may be essential to operating part F programs (including ensuring access of women, minorities, the handicapped, and the economically disadvantaged). Sets forth guidelines for State board approval of part F programs. Authorizes appropriations for part F programs for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Directs the President to seek in multilateral trade negotiations: (1) the adoption of international trade standards that will promote the use of environmentally sound production and manufacturing processes; and (2) the development and adoption of incentives and disincentives to implement such standards. Prohibits the President from entering into any trade agreement negotiations unless the President first reports to the Congress on the actions that will be taken to promote such standards. Prohibits any trade agreement from taking effect unless the President consults with specified congressional committees regularly regarding the progress being made toward adoption of such standards. Requires the President to report periodically to the Congress on those foreign countries and instrumentalities which either refuse to negotiate, or to negotiate in good faith, regarding the adoption of such standards. Directs the President to establish an Interagency Advisory Committee on International Environmental Protection.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1986
Modifies the boundaries of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, Ohio. Prohibits the fee title acquisition of certain lands, allowing only the acquisition of scenic easements. Prohibits land use and construction restrictions on such scenic easements unless consented to by the owner.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Quality Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Quality Assurance in Inpatient Hospital Settings - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to improve the prospective payment system established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act so that it more accurately approximates the costs of inpatient hospital services and accounts for variations in case complexity. Amends the Medicare program to require a hospital to give Medicare beneficiaries, upon their admission to the hospital, a written statement explaining: (1) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital and post-hospital Medicare services; (2) the circumstances under which such individual will be liable for charges for a continued hospital stay; (3) the individual's right to appeal denials of continued hospital services; and (4) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require peer review organizations receiving a hospital inpatient's request for review of a hospital's decision that the patient no longer needs inpatient care to inform the patient of its decision within two days of receiving the request. Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for inpatient hospital services provided while patients wait for a peer review organization to respond to their timely review requests. Imposes a civil money penalty on hospitals which make payments to physicians and on physicians who knowingly receive payments which constitute an inducement to curtail the stay of, or services provided to, an identifiable patient. Directs the Secretary to study the adequacy of standards used for hospital compliance with Medicare participation conditions in assuring the quality of hospital services. Requires the Secretary to study the adequacy with which the prospective payment system compensates hospitals, and distributes such compensation among hospitals, for costs attributable to patients' extended hospital stays necessitated by delays in patient placement in skilled nursing facilities. Title II: Access to Appropriate Post-Hospital Care - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to require hospitals to implement a discharge planning process which meets guidelines and standards, to be established by the Secretary, ensuring patients a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of, and setting for, post-hospital or rehabilitative care. Extends the limitations on beneficiary liability for disallowed Medicare claims to cover home health services provided to certain unqualified individuals. Provides that skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies which keep their services for which Medicare coverage is denied below specified percentages and comply with certain administrative requirements shall not subsequently be denied payment for care provided. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform needs assessment instrument enabling health care providers and fiscal intermediaries to evaluate an individual's need and ability to pay for post-hospital extended care, home-health, and long-term care services. Requires the Secretary to develop procedures to expedite fiscal intermediaries' determinations as to whether provider claims for post-hospital extended care and home health services may be reimbursed under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to provide for prompt response (within 24 hours) to beneficiary requests as to whether the beneficiary's Medicare coverage for post-hospital extended care services has been exhausted. Authorizes providers to represent beneficiaries on appeals of benefit determinations. Permits beneficiary appeals of the Secretary's denials of claims for home health service benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to extend, through 1989, the annual report on the impact of the prospective payment system and require the inclusion of information in such reports regarding the quality, and accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries, of post-hospital services. Title III: Improved Review of Quality by Peer Review Organizations - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require hospitals to submit data to peer review organizations on a monthly basis. Requires peer review organizations to review selected cases where individuals are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of their most recent hospital discharge to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and post-hospital services met professionally recognized health care standards. Directs each peer review organization to commit a reasonable proportion of its activities to review of the quality of services provided in cases and settings where potential quality problems have been identified. Requires the Secretary to identify methods facilitating the discovery of such cases. Requires each peer review organization to have at least one consumer representative on its board of directors. Directs such organizations to investigate all written beneficiary complaints about the quality of Medicare services which are filed with the organization. Requires peer review organizations to share data with organizations responsible for accrediting providers or State officials responsible for assuring quality care if such data reflects a substantial failure by providers or practitioners to provide quality care. Title IV: Study to Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance - Directs the Secretary to arrange a study which will serve as the basis for establishing a strategy for reviewing and assuring the quality of care provided under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the study within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Kings River, California, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Prohibits the United States from making available any STINGER air defense guided missile (or any comparable portable ground-to-air missile) to any foreign military or paramilitary force other than: (1) the armed forces of a government with which the United States has diplomatic relations; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; or (3) any other international organization, all of whose members have diplomatic relations with the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1986 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to women in need of pregnancy-related medical services and infants up to age one whose family income exceeds current income eligibility thresholds, but does not exceed a State maximum income level to be established at or below the Federal poverty level. Allows States to continue such coverage for women until 60 days after pregnancy without regard to any change in her family income. Requires the State maximum income level for eligibility under this program to be no less than the payment level applicable to a family with no income under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act. Prohibits States which provide coverage pursuant to this Act from reducing AFDC payment levels.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that there be at least a three-percent rise in the Consumer Price Index before a cost-of-living adjustment of benefits is made.
![Official portrait of Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000230_200.jpg)