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United States · Official source
3,666 records where Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Amends Federal law to increase the Federal payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government for entitlement land. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to adjust such payments by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Allied Health Professionals Promotion Act of 1991 - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to grants and contracts concerning training of allied health personnel to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate 75 percent of the funds authorized to those allied health fields the Secretary determines to have: (1) the most significant shortages of practitioners; and (2) a significant role in the care and rehabilitation of patients who are elderly or disabled. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and contracts to assist allied health students in meeting the costs of entry level education, allocating 75 percent of the funds as above. Makes payments of tuition to, or on behalf of, a participating student tax-exempt. Authorizes appropriations for traineeships for advanced training of allied health personnel, making the traineeships available for postgraduate (currently, doctoral) programs and students. Establishes within the Health Resources and Services Administration the Advisory Council on Allied Health. Excludes registered nurses from the definition of "allied health personnel."
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Electric and Magnetic Field Research and Public Information Dissemination Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish an electric and magnetic fields health research program to evaluate the effects of such fields upon human health; (2) report to the Congress on the status of such program; (3) evaluate whether existing electricity delivery systems and usage of electrical appliances cause significant exposures to electric and magnetic fields; and (4) report to the Congress regarding the need for engineering designs for electricity delivery systems and electrical appliances. Establishes within the Department of Energy an Electric and Magnetic Fields Information Center to serve as a clearinghouse and center for dissemination of public information on the impact of electric and magnetic fields upon the public health. Establishes an Electric and Magnetic Fields Research Advisory Committee to: (1) suggest issues, research priorities and Federal funding levels for the work required by this Act; and (2) report annually to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the research program's status. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to reduce from one year to 30 days the deadline for submitting claims for services provided under such part.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore prior law for determining wages subject to employer social security taxes for certain employers whose employees receive income from tips.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Designates January 5 through 11, 1992, as National Law Enforcement Training Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Designates May 12, 1991, as Infant Mortality Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1991
Intangibles Amortization Clarification Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the amortization of customer based, market share and similar intangible items for purposes of the depreciation deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1991 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should give its advice and consent to ratification of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage of: (1) screening mammograms for women who are at least 35, but under 65, years of age according to frequency guidelines similar to those imposed by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act); and (2) screening pap smears. Provides for Federal assumption of 100 percent of the cost of providing such screening services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
National Sea Grant College Program Authorization Act of 1991 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to require that the National Sea Grant College Program be administered by a National Sea Grant Office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Authorizes appropriations to carry out specified provisions of the Act and for administration of the Act. Repeals provisions authorizing grants relating to marine affairs and resource management.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Environmental Marketing Claims Act of 1991 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an environmental marketing claims regulatory program and an Independent Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations on the regulation of such claims. Requires the Administrator, in promulgating such regulations, to ensure that such claims are related to a specific environmental impact or attribute to ensure that the claims are not false or deceptive. Provides that such claims shall be substantiated on the basis of the best available scientific information. Requires the Administrator to assign products to categories based on the composition and packaging of the product. Sets forth requirements with respect to claims of recycled content, recyclability, reusability, compostability, or degradability of a product. Directs the Administrator to determine whether it is appropriate to promulgate additional regulations to: (1) reflect the best available technology to encourage higher performance levels in products and packaging; and (2) reflect the most recent scientific and practical knowledge of technological advances and improvements in manufacturing techniques and waste management. Provides for the triennial review of regulations. Authorizes interested individuals to petition the Administrator to promulgate additional regulations. Provides that an environmental marketing claim: (1) may be made two years after this Act's enactment if the environmental characteristic in the claim uses terms defined by the Administrator; (2) may not state the absence of an environmental attribute unless the attribute is a usual characteristic of the product or package or the Administrator permits such a statement because the statement would assist consumers making value comparisons with respect to environmental claims among products and packages; and (3) may not be made because the claim is misleading in light of another environmental characteristic of the product or package. Requires persons who intend to use environmental marketing claims for which the Administrator has promulgated a regulation to certify to the Administrator that the claims meet this Act's requirements. Directs persons using claims to resubmit a certification to the Administrator that the claims meet this Act's requirements if: (1) changes have been made in the product or the package that would affect its ability to meet previous regulatory requirements of the claim; or (2) new regulations have been promulgated under this Act relating to the claim being used. Makes it unlawful to fail to comply with regulation or certification requirements. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning citizen suits. Directs the Administrator to conduct a public information and education campaign to enable consumers to: (1) recognize environmental marketing claims regulated under this Act and be able to distinguish them from other claims; (2) have information about the criteria used by the Administrator in establishing standards and definitions for such claims; and (3) have a better understanding about the environmental effects of products and packages. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Medicaid AIDS and HIV Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow each State to provide Medicaid coverage of HIV-related services for individuals who have the HIV virus and an abnormally low immune function that places them at risk of contracting opportunistic diseases or life-threatening conditions related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and whose income and resources do not exceed the maximum amounts allowed under the State Medicaid program for disabled individuals. Allows States to provide Medicaid home and community-based services to children who have the HIV virus and an abnormally low immune function for which medical intervention is indicated to prevent hospitalization. Applies the same income and resource eligibility standards as would apply if such children were hospitalized. Includes as federally-qualified health centers an entity receiving a grant under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990 for the provision of early intervention services to individuals who have the HIV virus. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of the early intervention services provided by federally qualified health centers under such grant program to low-income individuals who have the HIV virus. Authorizes a Health and Human Services residential care facility demonstration program for certain Medicaid-eligible individuals who have the HIV virus and need housing or attendant care to allow them to remain at home.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Medicaid Child Health Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit States to provide Medicaid coverage to all children who have attained age six but not age 19 and whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. (Currently, States are required to cover only certain children between such ages, and only those whose family income does not exceed 133 percent of the Federal poverty level.) Permits States to provide an additional 12 months (currently, 12 months total) of extended Medicaid coverage to families whose AFDC eligibility ends due to the caretaker relative's employment. Requires States which provide prospective Medicaid payments to hospitals to reimburse hospitals which serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients for exceptionally costly or lengthy stays by children up to age 19. Directs States to provide Medicaid coverage for disabled children under age 19 but who are not eligible for benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits the discontinuance of the Medicaid benefits of a child under age 19 until he or she is determined to be ineligible for such benefits on any basis. Allows States to extend Medicaid coverage to: (1) foster care children under age 19 whose incomes are above State cash assistance eligibility levels but below the Federal poverty level; and (2) migratory agricultural workers and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require mandatory State coverage of pregnant women and infants whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Provides 100 percent Federal financing of the costs of services to pregnant women and infants whose family income is between 133 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Prohibits application of resource testing to pregnant women and infants. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of home visitation services with respect to high-risk infants. Provides for flexibility in determining the limitation on Federal payments to States for Medicaid services provided to pregnant women and infants. Requires States to include in their Medicaid benefit packages primary health services for residents of public housing provided by an entity which meets the requirements to receive a grant under the Public Health Service Act to fund the provision of such services.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude State and local governmental plans from the limitation on benefits exceeding 100 percent of the participant's average compensation for the high three years. Provides that qualified governmental excess benefit arrangements shall not be taken into account in determining whether pension plans meet the limitations on benefits and contributions of qualified plans. Requires taxation of such benefits as if they were provided under a deferred compensation plan maintained by a corporation not exempt from tax which does not meet the requirements of qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans. Exempts disability income received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance as a result of personal injuries or sickness from the reduced dollar limitation for defined benefit plans where the employee has less than ten years participation or the retirement benefit begins before the social security retirement age. Revises the special rule for State and local government plans which requires such limitation to equal the accrued benefit to allow the election of such rule to be revoked under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Visual Pollution Control Act of 1991 - Authorizes (current law requires) reduction of Federal highway funds by up to five (currently, equal to ten) percent of apportioned funds for States that have not made provision for effective control of outdoor signs, displays, or devices (advertising) along Federal-aid highways. Requires, as part of effective control, that: (1) each State maintain an annual inventory of such advertising, identify such advertising as illegal, nonconforming, or conforming under State law, and assure that any prohibited advertising shall be removed; and (2) no State allow or undertake any vegetation removal or other alteration of the highway right-of-way to improve visibility of such advertising or permit modification of nonconforming advertising to improve its visibility or prolong its useful life. Prohibits any new advertising from being erected under Federal highway provisions after October 1, 1991, and treats advertising erected between such date and the effective date of this Act as nonconforming. Sets forth provisions with respect to the removal and acquisition of advertising and Federal participation in costs incurred by the State for such removal. Bars outdoor advertising by Federal agencies on public lands (excluding Indian lands and reservations) that fail to conform to regulations issued by the Federal agency with jurisdiction over, or responsibility for, such land. Requires such regulations to be at least as stringent as the requirements of the State in which the land is located.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Peace, Democracy and Development in El Salvador Act of 1991 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States shall use diplomacy to encourage the Government of El Salvador and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) to: (1) participate in good-faith negotiations to achieve a cease-fire and permanent settlement of the conflict in El Salvador; (2) adhere to the terms of agreements signed in Geneva, Switzerland, Caracas, Venezuela, and San Jose, Costa Rica; and (3) support the role of the Secretary General of the United Nations in advancing proposals on the outstanding issues defined in the Caracas accords to resolve the conflict. Withholds from El Salvador unobligated military assistance for FY 1991 and prior fiscal years and military assistance allocated for FY 1992 and 1993 until the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the provision of such assistance and the President reports to the Congress that: (1) those responsible for ordering and carrying out, or obstructing the investigation into, the November 1989 murders of certain priests and civilians have been apprehended and brought to justice; (2) internationally recognized workers' rights have been extended to Salvadoran workers; (3) the El Salvadoran Government has pursued legal avenues to bring to trial and obtain verdicts for those responsible for the murders of Archbishop Romero and certain land reformers and for the bombings of the FENASTRAS headquarters; (4) the El Salvadoran Government is complying with international standards of respect for humanitarian and medical workers; (5) steps have been taken to place the El Salvadoran military under the control of the civilian government; (6) the El Salvadoran Government is negotiating to achieve a cease-fire and a settlement of the conflict and has not rejected a plan for the settlement of the conflict put forth by the United Nations Secretary General; and (7) the El Salvadoran Government, through its military and security forces, has not engaged in assassinations of, or acts of violence against, civilians and has not failed to control such activities by elements subject to the control of such forces. Prohibits funding for: (1) the stationing of U.S. military personnel in El Salvador as trainers or advisors to the El Salvadoran armed forces; and (2) the financing of covert operations in El Salvador or for covert military assistance to the El Salvadoran Government. Establishes the Demobilization, Transition, and Reconstruction Fund to assist with the cost of monitoring a permanent settlement of the conflict, the demobilization of combatants in the conflict and their transition to peaceful pursuits, and the reconstruction of El Salvador. Makes the Fund available only upon the President's notification to the Congress that the El Salvadoran Government and the FMLN have reached a permanent settlement to the conflict. Requires the President, upon notification of a permanent settlement or on September 30, 1992, if no notification has occurred prior to such date, to transfer withheld military assistance to the Fund. Prohibits economic support fund (ESF) assistance from being obligated as balance-of-payments or cash assistance for El Salvador. Makes ESF assistance for El Salvador available only for projects for child nutrition, health, clean water, basic education, agrarian reform, and other human needs of the people of El Salvador. Requires such assistance to be used only for programs implemented solely by civilian agencies. Subjects ESF assistance for El Salvador to reprogramming notifications under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction against self-employment income for amount deposited in a capital construction fund. Amends the Social Security act to make a conforming amendment for insurance benefit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Designates the second Sunday in October 1991 as National Children's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Clean Vessel Act of 1991 - Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to require coastal States to use five percent of specified funds made available to them under such Act to pay up to 75 percent of the costs of construction, renovation, or maintenance of shoreside pumpout stations for marine sanitation devices. Permits the Secretary of the Interior, if requested by the Governor of a coastal State, to waive or reduce the percentage of funds to be used for such stations if: (1) the discharge of sewage from vessels is not a significant contributor to the degradation of water quality within the State; (2) adequate stations are available to meet vessel requirements within the State; or (3) the anticipated requirements for such stations will be met with a reduced percentage requirement. Requires the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to notify the fish and game and water pollution control authorities of each coastal State of the availability of funds to finance shoreside pumpout stations for marine sanitation devices.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Universal Health Care Act of 1991 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI (National Health Insurance) to establish a national, single-payer health insurance program under which every U.S. citizen would be eligible for enrollment. Allows individuals to choose their own health care providers from among those providers participating in the program. Provides for comprehensive health care under the program with the following benefits provided without any payment of coinsurance or deductibles: (1) inpatient hospital services; (2) nursing facility services; (3) home health services; (4) hospice care; (5) medical care; (6) prescription drugs and biologicals; (7) preventive health services; (8) home and community-based services; (9) mental health care; and (10) such other medical or health care items or services as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines to be appropriate. Incorporates into the National Health Care program various practice guidelines and trust fund administrative provisions under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) as well as Medicare-related provisions in titles XI and II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Act, including those provisions relating to outcomes of research and peer review under title XI and administration of OASDI and Medicare trust funds under title II. Outlines provisions regarding payments to providers. Provides monthly payments to hospitals and nursing homes on the basis of prospective global budgets established annually after review by the State advisory board and approval by the designated government agency. Provides payment to physicians and other health care professionals according to fee schedules established by the Secretary and adjusted by geographic region. Provides payment for health care (including hospice care) furnished outside of a hospital or nursing home on the basis of either global budgets or fee schedules, or instead on the basis of another prospective payment method (including capitation) which has been approved and reviewed as appropriate. Restricts payments to Federal health care services providers. Requires health care providers to accept payments under the program for items and services as payment in full. Changes the functions of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician Payment Review Commission (renamed the Professional Payment Review Commission) to require such bodies to instead furnish advice to the Secretary, concerning the global budgets of hospitals and nursing homes and fee schedules of physicians and other health care professionals. Creates the Long-Term Care Payment Review Commission and the General Health Care Payment Review Commission to furnish advice to the Secretary concerning the payment mechanism for health care (including hospice care) furnished outside of hospitals or nursing homes and fee schedules for services which have not been described above. Requires all such bodies to report annually to the Congress and the Secretary on the modification of various payment systems described above to meet its objectives. Sets forth administrative provisions. Requires administration of the program at the national level by the Secretary. Allows States to administer the program at the State level. Requires the Secretary to establish a national health budget and State health budgets specifying the amount to be spent per calendar year for health care and how revenues from the National Health Trust Fund will be used under the program. Indexes the national budget each year according to corresponding increases in the gross national product. Establishes expenditure targets to control the growth of health care costs. Requires the national budget to set aside separate amounts for capital expenses and direct medical education and to specify the manner of division among the States. Creates advisory boards representing both consumers and health care providers to advise on the implementation of the program at the national and State levels. Authorizes the Secretary or State to enter into contracts with qualified entities to process claims. Allows only one contract per State. Requires the Secretary to establish applicable reporting systems for the program. Establishes the National Health Trust Fund to finance this Act's initiatives with revenues from: (1) specified tax increases outlined below; (2) hospital insurance taxes imposed on additional State and local government employees and additional changes made to the Internal Revenue Code over time to fund the program; (3) long-term care/health care premiums imposed on elderly individuals who do not have low incomes; (4) State payments determined according to a specified formula tied to corresponding increases in the gross national product; and (5) amounts remaining in the trust funds supporting the Medicare program after the settlement of claims for payment under Medicare has been completed and amounts applicable to Medicare and OASDI trust fund provisions incorporated into the National Health Care program resulting from gifts and bequests, investments, and overpayments. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase personal and corporate income taxes, employer hospital insurance taxes, and the amount of social security benefits subject to income taxation; (2) repeal the limitation on the amount of wages subject to employee and employer hospital insurance taxes; and (3) expand the category of employees subject to hospital insurance taxes as described above. Terminates the Medicare and Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) programs, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs health benefits and medical care program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Expresses the policy of the U.S. Government to: (1) establish in each of the Baltic States a U.S. presence such as an information office to serve as a form of political recognition and support; (2) channel to the Baltic States directly U.S. Government humanitarian aid and economic assistance, including management and training assistance, in addition to private sector humanitarian aid. Calls for the United States to: (1) recognize, establish, and maintain direct contacts with the Parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia; and (2) propose and seek support for observer status for the Baltic States in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) at the next meeting of foreign ministers of the CSCE participating states.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the third Sunday of August 1991 as National Senior Citizens Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Disapproves the President's request for the extension of fast track procedures under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 with respect to the implementation of trade agreements entered into after May 31, 1991, because sufficient progress has not been made in trade negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to authorize the use of Institute funds to conduct up to five projects to: (1) investigate and carry out research regarding State judicial decisions relating to child custody litigation involving domestic violence; (2) develop training curricula to assist State courts to develop an understanding of, and appropriate responses to, child custody litigation involving domestic violence; and (3) disseminate the results of such investigation and research and the curricula to State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Battered Women's Testimony Act of 1991 - Directs the State Justice Institute, by grants to or contracts with a single eligible entity, to: (1) collect and analyze information regarding the admissibility and quality of expert testimony on the experiences of battered women offered as part of the defense in criminal cases under State law and regarding sources of, and methods to obtain, funds to pay costs incurred to provide such testimony, particularly in cases involving indigent women defendants; (2) develop training materials to assist battered women, operators of domestic violence shelters, battered women's advocates, and attorneys in using such testimony in appropriate cases and to assist individuals with expertise in the experiences of battered women in developing skills appropriate to providing such testimony; and (3) disseminate such information and training materials and provide related technical assistance to battered women, shelter operators, advocates, attorneys, and individuals providing testimony.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to modify provisions regarding the content of environmental impact statements. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on a strategy for achieving certain environmental policy goals under such Act. Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to promulgate regulations implementing such Act for all Federal agencies, including independent regulatory commissions. Requires the Council to establish guidelines for Federal agencies to review and report to the Council on a statistically significant sample of environmental impact statements prepared by such agencies in which measures were specified to mitigate adverse environmental effects. Requires Federal agencies to examine the accuracy and effectiveness of projected adverse impacts and their mitigation. Directs the President to include a summary of the results of such reviews in his annual report to the Congress. Requires the Council, no later than one year after enactment of this Act, to issue regulations to require Federal agencies, in their environmental impact statements, to: (1) ensure consideration of the effects of their actions on the environment of the global commons outside the jurisdiction of any nation; and (2) ensure the formal assessment of such effects on the environment within the jurisdiction of other nations. Amends the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970 to authorize appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 for the operations of the Office of Environmental Quality and the Council on Environmental Quality.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
United States One Dollar Coin Act of 1991 - Amends Federal currency law to prescribe the color and content of one-dollar coins. Mandates that the obverse side of the one dollar coin have a design recognizing America's veterans. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cease regular production of one-dollar Federal Reserve notes by a specified date (except for such quantities as are required to meet collectors' needs). Mandates that the seigniorage of the new one-dollar coins be used to offset the reverse seigniorage resulting from the destruction of Susan B. Anthony dollar coins in Government storage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Domestic Violence Housing Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) increase FY 1991 and 1992 budget authority for section 8 certificate and voucher assistance; (2) require that such increases be used to assist families affected by domestic violence, including specified shared housing arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Provides that former air traffic controllers shall not, as a class, be considered unsuitable or ineligible for: (1) positions as air traffic controllers in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the Department of Defense; or (2) positions in the FAA other than air traffic controller positions. Requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to take action to ensure that in each of FY 1992 and 1993, at least 500 former controllers are appointed to permanent, full-time positions as air traffic controllers in the FAA. Provides for a waiver of the maximum-age limitation applicable to such appointments. Prescribes procedural guidelines for competitive and non-competitive appointments of such controllers. Precludes an applicant's role in the 1981 strike from being considered when making a determination of suitability for an air traffic controller position. Requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations under which the appointment of a former controller to an air traffic controller position within their respective departments shall not become final unless a probationary period has been successfully completed. Sets forth guidelines for the computation of creditability of service for retirement purposes. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such reinstatements should not: (1) cause the separation or reduction in grade of any other air traffic controller; or (2) interfere with training opportunities which would otherwise be afforded to air traffic controllers seeking to become fully qualified.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Designates May 1991 and May 1992 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Designates April 21 through April 27, 1991, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) expert testimony concerning the nature and effect of domestic violence, including descriptions of the experiences of battered women, should be admissible when offered in a State court by a defendent in a criminal case to assist the trier of fact in understanding the behavior, beliefs, or perceptions of such defendent in a domestic relationship in which abuse has occurred; (2) a witness should be qualified to testify as an expert witness based upon her or his knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, and should be permitted to testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise; and (3) a domestic relationship about which such expert testimony should be admissible includes relationships between spouses, former spouses, cohabitants, former cohabitants, partners or former partners, and between persons who are in, or have been in, a dating courtship, or intimate relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1991
Designates September 13, 1991, as Commodore John Barry Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1991
Designates June 14, 1991, as Baltic Freedom Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Privacy for Consumers and Workers Act - Requires employers who engage in electronic monitoring to provide each affected employee with prior written notice describing specified aspects of the electronic monitoring directly affecting the employee. Requires employers to notify prospective employees at personal interviews or meetings of existing forms of electronic monitoring which may directly affect them and, upon request, provide them with the written notice provided to employees. Requires employers to provide affected employees with some form of visual or aural notice that indicates that electronic monitoring is taking place, at periodic intervals unless the monitoring is continuous during each of the employee's shifts. Requires employers to provide affected customers with some form of visual or aural notice, at periodic intervals, indicating that telephone service observation is taking place. Requires employers to permit employees or their authorized agents to have access to all personal data obtained by electronic monitoring of their work. Prohibits employers from collecting personal data on an employee which is not relevant to the employee's work performance. Prohibits employers from disclosing personal data obtained by electronic monitoring to any person or business except to the individual employee to whom that data pertains or without the employee's prior written consent, unless disclosure would be: (1) to the employer's officers and employees who need it to perform their duties; (2) to a law enforcement agency for a criminal investigation or prosecution; or (3) pursuant to a proper court order. Prohibits employers from using personal data obtained by electronic monitoring as the exclusive basis for individual employee performance evaluation or disciplinary action, unless the employee is given an opportunity to review the data within a reasonable time after it is obtained. Prohibits employers from using personal data or collective data obtained by electronic monitoring as the sole basis for setting production quotas or work performance expectations. Prohibits employers from maintaining, collecting, using, or disseminating personal data obtained by electronic monitoring which describes how an employee exercises First Amendment rights, unless such use is: (1) expressly authorized by statute or by the employee; or (2) pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity. Sets forth the following enforcement provisions: (1) civil penalties; (2) injunctive actions by the Secretary of Labor; and (3) private civil actions. Prohibits waiver of rights and procedures provided by this Act, unless such waiver is part of a written settlement by the parties to a pending action or complaint. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue rules and regulations to carry out this Act within six months. Makes this Act inapplicable to otherwise permissible electronic monitoring by law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Alaska Peninsula Wilderness Designation Act of 1990 - Designates the following lands in Alaska as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) the Aniakchak Wilderness within the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve; (2) the Alaska Peninsula Wilderness within the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge; and (3) the addition of specified lands within the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge to the Becharof Wilderness. Provides for the relinquishment of Koniag, Inc., Selection Rights (oil and gas rights) to specified lands in Alaska in exchange for Certificates of Value which could be used only with respect to Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
High Risk Occupational Disease Notification and Prevention Act - Establishes a Risk Assessment Board (the Board), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to: (1) review pertinent medical and scientific reports on the incidence of disease associated with exposure to occupational health hazards; (2) identify and designate populations at risk that should receive notification; (3) develop a form and method of notification that will be used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary); and (4) determine the appropriate type of medical monitoring or beneficial health counseling. Sets forth factors for Board consideration and priorities in designating populations at risk of disease for notification. Directs the Secretary to make every reasonable effort to ensure that each individual within a population at risk of disease is notified of the risk. Requires the Secretary, through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to conduct the required notification, with specified exceptions. Allows an employer to apply to NIOSH for an exemption from such employee notification because that employer's employees are not at risk of disease because of significant mitigating factors. Provides for telephone "hot lines" and other dissemination of information. Authorizes the Secretary to certify a private employer or a State or local government to conduct notification. Provides for judicial review of Board determinations. Requires the Secretary to establish and certify ten occupational and environmental health centers to: (1) provide education, training, and technical assistance to personal physicians and health and social service professionals who serve employees notified that they are at risk under this Act; and (2) provide diagnosis, treatment, and medical monitoring and family services for such employees. Directs the Secretary to make grants to conduct research, training, and education aimed at improving the means of identifying employees exposed to occupational health hazards and improving medical assistance to such employees. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and contracts for training and curriculum development in occupational medicine or health to schools of medicine and of nursing. Provides that such assistance shall be for projects: (1) at schools with occupational medicine or health programs, for faculty continuing education, curricula and training materials for undergraduate medical or nursing training, and clinical training for residents in graduate medical programs; and (2) at schools without such programs, for faculty training. Directs the Secretary, during FY 1991 through 1993, to make such grants and contracts to at least ten schools of medicine or nursing. Requires that the medical monitoring recommended by the Board be provided by the current employer: (1) at no additional cost to the employee (above any existing employee health care contribution), if any part of the exposure occurred in the course of employment by that employer; or (2) at a charge to the employee not exceeding the additional cost to the employer (above any existing employer health care contribution), or at no charge, if no part of such exposure occurred in the course of employment by that employer. Sets forth special rules for medical monitoring by small businesses and of seasonal agricultural workers. Prohibits discharging or discriminating against employees, or applicants for employment, on the basis that they are or have been members of a population at risk. Makes an exception to such prohibition if the position which the applicant seeks requires exposure to the occupational health hazard which is the subject of the notice. Allows an employer with 50 or fewer employees to transfer an employee who is or has been a member of a population at risk to another job if earnings, seniority, and other employment rights and benefits are as comparable as possible to the old job and if the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement are not violated. Grants the option of being transferred to a less hazardous or nonexposed job to any employee member of a population at risk who is determined by a physician to show evidence of developing the disease described in the notice or other symptoms or conditions increasing the likelihood or incidence of such disease. Requires that the employee maintain earnings, seniority, and other employment rights and benefits of the former job. Sets forth procedures for independent reconsideration of the initial medical determination. Sets forth special rules for medical removal. Makes such protection inapplicable to seasonal agricultural workers with less than six months continuous employment with an employer. Exempts from the requirement of medical removal protection any employer who has 50 or fewer employees and who has made or is making a reasonable good faith effort to eliminate the occupational health hazard that is the basis for the medical removal decision. Provides for confidentiality of employee records unless disclosure is authorized by and is necessary to carry out a provision of this Act, or is authorized by the employee. Permits employees aggrieved by violations of provisions involving medical monitoring, medical removal, discrimination, and confidentiality to apply, within six months after the violation occurs, to the Secretary of Labor for a review of the alleged violation. Sets forth provisions for investigations, actions, defenses, determinations, and appeals in such cases. Provides for reinstatement and other relief for employees injured by such violations. Sets forth civil penalties for such violations. Authorizes the Secretary (of HHS) to bring an action in U.S. district court to enjoin an employer from violating this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report annually to the Congress on the implementation and enforcement of the hazard communication standard. Directs the Secretary of HHS to report annually to the Congress on the implementation and enforcement of notification under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Amends Federal law to apply reporting provisions relating to marine casualties to a foreign vessel transporting passengers involved in a marine casualty that: (1) embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States; or (2) transports passengers traveling under any air and sea ticket package marketed in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
International Family Planning Protection Act - Prohibits international population assistance funds from being denied to nongovernmental or multilateral organizations on the basis of any criterion that is not applicable to foreign governments that receive such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Clean and Fair Election Act of 1991 - Title I: House of Representatives Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set forth: (1) primary and general election filing requirements; (2) primary ($300,000) and runoff ($110,000) expenditure limits (adjusted annually for inflation); (3) threshold contribution requirements; (4) personal and general election ($550,000, with specified adjustments) expenditure limits; (5) the treatment for certain legal and accounting expenditures; (6) the benefits for eligible candidates (including certain broadcast media and mailing rates); (7) guidelines for the use of voter communication vouchers issued to eligible candidates to defray communications expenditures. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain a House of Representatives Election Campaign Account as a separate account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to be used in redeeming voter communication vouchers. Prescribes the procedures by which voter communication voucher requests by eligible candidates will be accommodated. Directs the Federal Election Commission to examine and audit after each general election the campaign accounts of ten percent (randomly selected) of all candidates for office in the House of Representatives to determine compliance with expenditure limitations and conditions of eligibility. Sets forth sanctions for noncompliance, including specified repayment amounts. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Prescribes participation by the Commission in judicial proceedings regarding violations of this Act. Requires the Commission to report to the House of Representatives after each general election on: (1) candidate expenditures; (2) aggregate amount of voter communication vouchers; (3) the status of repayments; and (4) the balances remaining in the two campaign funds under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Reduces the limitations on contributions per election: (1) from $1,000 to $500 for individuals; and (2) from $5,000 to $1,000 for nonparty multicandidate political committees. Prohibits a candidate from accepting more than 20 percent of the general election spending limits in nonparty multicandidate political committee (PAC) contributions. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set forth guidelines for: (1) the percentage of the lowest unit charge to be made by a broadcasting licensee to a candidate for (100 percent before a primary or runoff, 50 percent before a general) non-preemption of candidate use of a broadcasting station. Requires broadcast licensees to accept voter communications voucher from a candidate and provide broadcast time. Directs the Commission to take a random sampling to evaluate licensee compliance with the requirements of this Act. Amends Federal postal law to mandate reduced rates for certain House of Representatives candidates. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prescribe intended expenditure reporting requirements for candidates for the the House of Representatives who: (1) have not been certified to receive certain benefits (lowered broadcast media or mailing rates, and voter communication vouchers); (2) make independent expenditures over $10,000 during any general, primary, or runoff election period; or (3) during the election cycle expend more than ten percent of the general election expenditure limit from personal funds. Requires the Commission to transmit such reports to the Secretary of the Senate within two working days of receipt. Title II: Expenditures and Contributions - Subtitle A: Independent Expenditures - Defines the scope of cooperative expenditures and declares that cooperative expenditures shall not be treated as independent expenditures. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to revise the equal broadcast time notification requirements for persons who reserve broadcast time through the payment of certain independent expenditures. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prescribe disclosure requirements for certain broadcast communications paid for through independent expenditures. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Limits the amount of expenditures which a State party committee may make with respect to the general election campaign of a candidate for President affiliated with such party. Subjects FECA reporting requirements any amount received or expended by party committees with respect to any Federal election. States that the limitations on contributions under the Act applies to transfers between and among political committees. Sets forth limitations on fundraising activities of Federal candidates and officeholders. Requires party national committees and congressional campaign committees to report all receipts and disbursements during certain periods whether or not they are connected to a Federal election. Subtitle C: Contributions - Sets limitations on contributions which may be accepted from a PAC by either a party congressional campaign committee or a party national committee. Revises the guidelines for contributions made through intermediaries and conduits on behalf of a particular candidate. Declares that contributions made by dependents not of voting age shall be treated as having been made by the individual upon whom they are dependent. Authorizes the retention by a candidate of certain excess contributions for future campaign purposes. Title III: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the checkoff amount for the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Permits a tax credit for up to $100 of contributions to certain qualifying House of Representatives candidates. Provides that candidates shall not be eligible for payments from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund if they have received or solicited funds which are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit an incumbent in or candidate for Federal office from establishing or controlling a political committee (other than the candidate's authorized committee, or a party committee). Proscribes fraudulent solicitation of political contributions. Authorizes appropriations for the "check-off" education program (a public education program regarding participation in the income tax check-off for presidential and congressional election campaigns).
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Benefit Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the requirement that extended care services be provided within a certain period following hospitalization in order to be covered under the Hospital Insurance Program; and (2) cover nursing care and home health aide services provided or needed on an intermittent basis.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs. Makes the Fraternity solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of expenses of, the memorial. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for its establishment. Requires the Fraternity to deposit excess funds into the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Requires the Architect of the Capitol to establish and operate a source-separated recycling program for newsprint, paper, plastic, bottles, and aluminum applicable to all offices and facilities within office buildings under the jurisdiction of the U.S. House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Requires that, for pre-1980 tax years, the Federal income tax deductibility of flight training expenses be determined without considering whether the taxpayer received reimbursement through veterans' educational programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Extends coverage under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to certain foreign flagships and other vessels. Establishes the Commission on Compliance and Enforcement to study and report to the Congress on specified effects of this Act and problems with compliance and enforcement. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its report.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Women's Health Equity Act of 1991 - Title I: Research - Subtitle A: Women's Health Research Act - Women's Health Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the Office of Research on Women's Health (Office) to ensure that women's health reseach is identified and addressed by NIH. Establishes in the Office the Coordinating Committee for Research on Women's Health and the Advisory Committee for Research on Women's Health. Mandates that the Director of the Office prepare and annually review a plan for establishing a program for clinical research on obstetrics and gynecology to be conducted by the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD). Requires the NICHHD Director to establish a program of contracts with individuals who agree to conduct obstetrics and gynecology research in return for the Federal Government paying, to a specified maximum, the educational loans of the individuals. Requires the NIH Director to establish a single data system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding women's health research conducted or supported by NIH, including a registry of clinical trials of experimental treatments. Requires the NIH Director to establish and operate a program to provide information on research and prevention activities relating to women's health research. Provides for grants or contracts for the development and operation of Centers of Excellence in Women's Health Research using a single institution or a consortium for each Center. Provides, subject to appropriations, for three centers, with support covering five years. Allows extension of support if recommended by a technical and scientific peer review group. Authorizes appropriations for specified provisions of this subtitle. Subtitle B: Clinical Trials Fairness Act - Clinical Trials Fairness Act - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the national research institutes and provisions relating to the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure, in conducting or supporting clinical research, that women and minority groups are included as research subjects, unless inappropriate. Requires that any project be designed and carried out so as to provide for a valid analysis of whether the research variables affect women or minorities differently than other subjects. Directs the Secretary to establish within the advisory council of each agency of an institute and ADAMHA a Clinical Research Equity Subcommittee to review all clinical research of that agency to determine whether the research is being conducted in accordance with requirements of this Act. Provides for suspension or revocation of the authority for any project the Secretary determines is not being conducted in accordance with those requirements. Defines "minority groups" to mean racial and ethnic minority groups. Requires that the technical and scientific peer review process in the institutes and ADAMHA include an evaluation of the inclusion of women and minority groups as research subjects. Subtitle C: Women's Health and Mental Health Research Act - Women's Health and Mental Health Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Office of the Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) the Office of Research on Women's Health and Mental Health (Office) to ensure that women's health and mental health research is identified and addressed by ADAMHA. Establishes in the Office the Coordinating Committee for Research on Women's Health and the Advisory Committee for Research on Women's Health. Requires that the Administrator establish: (1) a single data system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding women's health and mental health research, including a registry of clinical trials of experimental treatments; and (2) a program to provide information on women's health and mental health research. Provides for grants or contracts for the development and operation of Centers of Excellence in Women's Health and Mental Health Research using a single institution or a consortium for each Center. Provides, subject to appropriations, for three centers, with support covering five years. Allows extension of support if recommended by a technical and scientific peer review group. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act - Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, earmarking certain amounts for such research relating to women. Subtitle E: Breast Cancer Basic Research Act - Authorizes to be appropriated, in addition to sums already authorized, a certain amount to the National Cancer Institute for breast cancer research other than research which involves treatment or clinical trials. Subtitle F: Contraceptive and Infertility Research Centers Act - Contraception and Infertility Research Centers Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Institute of Child Health and Human Development to make grants and enter into contracts for centers for improving methods of contraception and centers for diagnosing and treating infertility. Requires the Director, subject to appropriations, to provide for three centers with respect to contraception and two centers with respect to infertility. Requires each center to: (1) conduct clinical and other applied research; (2) develop training protocols for and conduct training of physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health and allied health professionals; (3) develop model continuing education programs; and (4) disseminate information to such professionals. Allows a center to use the funds to provide: (1) stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in the training programs; and (2) fees to individuals serving as subjects in the clinical trials. Requires each center to use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting requirements as prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Serivces. Allows support for a center to be for a period of up to five years, with extensions of one or more periods of up to five years if the center's operations have been reviewed by a peer review group and the group has so recommended. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish a program of entering into agreements with health professionals, including graduate students, under which the professionals agree to conduct research with respect to contraception or infertility in consideration of the Government agreeing to repay, for each year of such service, not more than a specified amount of the principal and interest of their educational loans. Applies provisions of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to this program, except as inconsistent. Authorizes appropriations. Requires amounts appropriated to remain available until the end of the second fiscal year after they are appropriated. Subtitle G: Sense of Congress Regarding Contraceptive Research - Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that it should: (1) establish a program of research for the development of methods of contraception and methods of diagnosing and treating infertility; (2) provide adequate long-term resources for the program; (3) ensure that Federal programs with respect to sexually transmitted diseases adequately respond to the role of such diseases in infertility; (4) ensure public education on contraception and infertility; (5) establish as Federal goals the development, by the year 2010, of improved barrier methods to protect against pregnancy and diseases, new methods of contraception for use by men, a vaccine-like drug for women that prevents pregnancy for a significant period of time without other specified effects, and new and improved techniques of diagnosing and treating infertility; (6) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reestablish the Ethical Advisory Board in order to facilitate research with respect to infertility; (7) review the policies and procedures of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to expediting approval of drugs and devices for use by the public, especially with respect to contraception and infertility; and (8) determine to what extent measures can be implemented by public or private entities to resolve liability issues involved with drugs and devices concerned with contraception and infertility. Subtitle H: Women and AIDS Research Initiative - Women and AIDS Research Initiative Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, or both, to establish a program to conduct biomedical and behavioral research on cases of infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in women. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct the research directly or through grants. Specifies forms of research to be included. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants for community-based clinical trials on experimental treatments for such infection for women. Allows the Director of the NIH to authorize grantees to expend the grants to provide individuals with transportation, child care, and other incidental services necessary to enable the individuals to participate as subjects in the trials. Subtitle I: Ovarian Cancer Research Act - Ovarian Cancer Research Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Director of the National Cancer Institute, to conduct or support basic research on certain aspects of ovarian cancer. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting or supporting clinical research on the same matters. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle J: Osteoporosis and Related Research Act - Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disorders Research, Education, and Health Services Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD), the Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) to expand and intensify research on osteoporosis and related bone disorders. Requires, with respect to osteoporosis and related bone disorders: (1) the NIAMSD Director to increase the number of Specialized Centers of Research; (2) the NIA Director to increase the number of program project grants devoted to creating centers of excellence; and (3) the NIDDKD Director to increase the number of grants in osteoporosis. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the Interagency Council on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders and the Advisory Panel on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders. Authorizes appropriations for the Advisory Panel. Requires the NIAMSD Director to make grants or enter into contracts to establish a Resource Center on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders to: (1) disseminate information about research results, services, and educational materials to health professionals, patients, and the public; and (2) coordinate leadership training for the development of health professional resource networks. Requires grant and contract recipients to establish: (1) a central computerized information system to translate scientific and technical information into information readily understandable by the general public; and (2) a national toll-free telephone information line. Requires the grant or contract recipient to charge fees for providing information, but allows exceptions for individuals and organizations unable to pay. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Services - Subtitle A: Breast Cancer Informed Decision Act - Breast Cancer Treatment Informed Consent Act - Requires any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under the preventive health service provisions of the Public Health Service Act to require any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in such State to inform any breast cancer patient of alternative methods of treatment for breast cancer before such treatment is begun. Requires that the patients be informed by means of: (1) a standardized written summary in layman's language and in a language understood by the patient of alternative methods of treatment; and (2) an explanation of the treatment options described in such written summary together with the risks associated with each procedure relative to each patient's particular medical circumstances. Subtitle B: Women's Health Care Coverage Expansion Act - Women's Health Care Coverage Expansion Act of 1991 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare and Medicaid coverage of obstetrical and gynecological services furnished by nurse practitioners. Subtitle C: Mickey Leland Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenthood Act - Mickey Leland Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Parenthood Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the title on adolescent family life demonstration projects with a title on adolescent pregnancy prevention, care, and research grants. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to provide, supplement, or improve the quality of care services to pregnant adolescents and their male partners and adolescent parents and prevention services to nonpregnant adolescents. Requires grantees to charge fees for services only under a fee schedule, approved by the Secretary, based on the income of the person and taking into account the difficulty adolescents face in obtaining resources to pay for services. Prohibits discrimination because of an individual's inability to pay for services. Sets forth priorities in making grants, including giving priority to applicants that: (1) serve an area with a high incidence of adolescent pregnancy; and (2) serve an area with a high proportion of low-income families and low availability of care programs. Requires that the amount of a grant be set by the Secretary. Limits a grant, subject to waiver for one year, to 75 percent of the cost of a program. Specifies the information and assurances which must accompany a grant application. Directs the Secretary to coordinate Federal policies and programs providing services relating to the prevention of initial and recurrent adolescent pregnancies and providing care services, including by requiring grantees under these provisions to report concerning Federal, State, and local policies that interfere with delivery and coordination of programs of care for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to support and disseminate the results of research relating to adolescent pregnancy. Limits grants or contracts to: (1) one year, subject to renewal for four additional one-year periods; and (2) subject to waiver, a specified dollar amount. Allows funds to be used for descriptive or explanatory surveys, evaluation studies, longitudinal studies, or limited programs for services for the purpose of increasing knowledge and understanding of specified matters. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for the review of grant and contract applications which is similar to the system of scientific peer review of the National Institutes of Health. Restricts grants to programs determined by the review panel to have scientific merit. Authorizes appropriations, earmarking at least two-thirds of appropriated funds for services, with no more than one-third to be used for grants for prevention services. Prohibits using such funds for the performance of an abortion. Subtitle D: Adolescent Health Demonstration Projects - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants in FY 1991 through 1995 for the establishment or support of adolescent health demonstration projects. Requires such projects to: (1) provide health care information and services, including related social services; (2) serve adolescents before their graduation from high school; (3) encourage family participation; and (4) establish community advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to give priority to project applicants who will serve areas with low-income or minority populations. States that no grant funds may be used to perform or pay for abortions. Subtitle E: COBRA Displaced Family Amendments - COBRA Displaced Family Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act (the Acts) to declare that specified provisions relating to the required period of group health plan continuation coverage do not apply to the qualifying events of death, divorce, or legal separation involving a beneficiary who is 50 years old or older. Requires that coverage continue until the 23rd birthday, or 36 months after the qualifying event, whichever is later, for an individual who is a dependent child beneficiary at the time of such an event involving a covered employee 50 years old or older. Amends the Acts to modify: (1) the termination of extended average for disability and the general rule for other qualifying events, as they relate to the maximum required period of continuation coverage; and (2) dates by which certain notice must be given. Amends the Acts to require that notice of the option to enroll under a conversion plan be given during the 120-day period ending 60 days before the expiration of the continuation coverage. (Current law requires such notice be given during the 180-day period ending on the expiration date of the continuation coverage.) Subtitle F: Federal Employee Family Building Act - Federal Employee Family-Building Act of 1991 - Requires any contract for health benefits for Federal employees that provides obstetrical benefits to also provide benefits for family-building procedures. Provides that payment terms or conditions under such contracts shall be no more restrictive for family-building benefits than for obstetrical benefits. Defines "family-building procedure" as a medical procedure to overcome infertility (including procedures to achieve pregnancy and procedures to carry pregnancy to term) and procedures relating to child adoption. Requires such contracts to provide that: (1) benefits shall consist of reimbursement for reasonable and necessary medical expenses and counseling fees directly relating to the adoption of a child; and (2) benefits shall be available in connection with obstetrical care for the biological mother and medical care for the child if, or to the extent that, the pre-adoptive or adoptive parent or parents are legally responsible for the cost of such care. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to authorize the use of sick leave for purposes relating to family-building procedures. Title III: Prevention - Subtitle A: Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments - Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to phase-in mandatory State coverage of pregnant women and infants whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Deducts child and medical care costs from the income eligibility test. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of prenatal home visitation services for high-risk pregnant women and/or postpartum home visitation services for high-risk infants. Subtitle B: Breast Cancer Screening and Safety Act - Breast Cancer Screening Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certification in order for a facility to perform or interpret mammograms, inspect equipment, or conduct quality assurance oversight related to mammography. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and renew certificates for up to two years. Requires, in order to be certified, that a facility be accredited. Allows the Secretary to approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body which meets certain requirements, including inspecting facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish standards for facilities to assure the safety and accuracy of mammography; (2) specify organizations eligible to certify individuals to perform radiological procedures; (3) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to interpret screening mammograms; (4) establish standards regarding the qualifications for individuals to interpret screening mammograms; and (5) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to inspect screening mammography equipment and oversee quality assurance practices. Directs the Secretary to conduct annual announced and unannounced inspections of certified facilities. Provides for: (1) intermediate sanctions for certain violations; (2) suspension, revocation, and limitation of certificates; and (3) injunctions. Requires fees for certificate issuance and renewal, and for inspections, sufficient to cover costs. Requires annual publication of a list of facilities convicted of fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks, facilities that have had certificates revoked, suspended, or limited, and facilities that have been the subject of a sanction or other similar matters. Allows the Secretary to exempt facilities in a State with more stringent requirements from compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants for research on new methods of establishing a Mammography Registry; and (2) based on the research, establish the Registry. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that screening mammographies paid for under Medicare be performed by a facility: (1) certified under this Act; and (2) in compliance with specified provisions of this Act. Subtitle C: Medicaid Coverage for Mammographies and Pap Smears - Medicaid Women's Basic Health Coverage Act of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage of: (1) screening mammographies for women age 35 and older conducted in accordance with the frequency guidelines established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 for such coverage under the Medicare Program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act); and (2) screening pap smears. Subtitle D: Medicare Bone Mass Measurement Coverage Act - Medicare Bone Mass Measurement Coverage Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage of bone mass measurements. Subtitle E: Women and AIDS Outreach and Prevention - Women and AIDS Outreach and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants regarding prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases in women, including preventive health services, screening, providing treatment (for such diseases other than AIDS), referrals, and follow-up services. Requires that a grantee be an entity that provides health or voluntary family planning services: (1) to a significant number of low-income women; and (2) in an area with a significant number of AIDS cases in women and in newborn infants. Requires that grantees maintain the confidentiality of information on individuals, subject to complying with applicable law. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Infertility Prevention Act - Infertility Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with regard to any treatable sexually transmitted disease that can cause infertility in women if treatment is not received for the disease, to make grants for specified activities, including counseling, screening, treatment, referrals, outreach, public information and education, training for health care providers, and data collection. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for ensuring the quality of screening for such diseases. Limits grants to three years, with annual approval by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research on improving the delivery of services under this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Global Education Opportunities Act of 1991 - Title I: Foreign Language Instruction - Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make demonstration grants to eligible consortia to: (1) operate critical languages and area studies programs; (2) develop and acquire educational equipment and materials; and (3) develop teacher training programs, texts, curriculum, and other activities to improve and expand foreign language instruction at elementary and secondary schools. (Defines critical language as one designated on the Secretary's list under the Education for Economic Security Act.) Requires each grant recipient to include a study abroad or cultural exchange program among the assisted activities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants to State education agencies, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit education and professional associations to provide technology for distance learning, in cooperation with foreign language teachers and specialists, to serve small and rural school districts, small colleges, community colleges, and adult business education classes, through video tapes, cassettes, satellite linkages, cable programs, teleclasses, and computer-assisted instruction. Limits grant amounts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for innovative and model programs for elementary and secondary teacher education which integrate foreign language and culture, democracy and civic education, geography, and international studies into practicing and preservice teacher training. Provides that such programs must meet the needs of elementary school teachers before they address those of secondary school teachers. Requires an institute of higher education, to receive such a grant on behalf of its school or department of education and in cooperation with its liberal arts department, to submit a proposal to the Secretary and the appropriate State educational agency. (Allows nonprofit institutions of demonstrated effectiveness to also receive such grants.) Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to various educational entities or consortia to act as a resource center for: (1) coordinating development and dissemination of foreign language and culture instructional materials (including children's literature, teacher's kits, videotapes, and computer software); and (2) encouraging expanded use of technology in teaching foreign languages and culture in elementary schools (and when these needs are met, in secondary schools), especially at schools with proportionally fewer resources. Requires coordination of such materials and technologies development with that under the Star Schools Program Assistance Act. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make matching grants, within specified limits, to: (1) States and major metropolitan areas to establish foreign language foundations; and (2) world trade council units to provide language training, translation services, and information about other cultures and markets for small- and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter export markets. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Higher Education Amendments - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise student assistance for those engaged in study abroad. Specifies that programs of study abroad approved for credit by an institution of higher education (approved programs of study abroad) are among those for which eligible students may receive student assistance under the programs of Pell grants, supplemental educational opportunity grants, grants to States for State student incentives, guaranteed student loans, and Perkins loans. Includes such approved programs of study abroad under cost of attendance provisions for HEA Student Assistance. Revises student eligibility for assistance to declare that nothing in HEA shall be construed to limit or otherwise prohibit access to approved programs of study abroad. Declares that: (1) otherwise eligible students engaged in an approved program of study abroad are also eligible for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA; and (2) such a study abroad program need not be a required part of the student's degree program to qualify for such assistance. Requires eligible institutions to: (1) disseminate to prospective and enrolled students accurate information that enrollment in an approved program of study abroad may be considered enrollment in the home institution for purposes of applying for Federal student financial assistance; and (2) agree, for purposes of student assistance program participation, not to deny any form of Federal aid to any student who meets HEA eligibility requirements on the grounds that such student is taking part in an approved program of study abroad. Applies existing requirements for loan check endorsement and multiple disbursement of federally-insured and guaranteed student loans to students engaged in a approved program of study abroad. Allows students participating in approved programs of study abroad to receive, according to specified formulas, increased aid under the programs of Pell grants, supplemental educational opportunity grants, State student incentive grants, federally insured loans, and Perkins loans. Establishes a program of incentive grants for enrollment in special programs abroad. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to institutions of higher education or certain other organizations to pay partial incentive stipends to individuals enrolled in certain programs of study abroad; and (2) award, through a national competition, incentive stipends to students who enroll in study abroad programs to learn languages and develop international skills not available in countries in which large numbers of U.S. students study. Requires such grants to be awarded on the basis of merit but with preference given to students who are underrepresented in study abroad, including those from minority groups and professional and preprofessional studies. Intends such stipends to meet extraordinary travel and other associated costs for a one-year maximum. Authorizes appropriations. Requires work study program participation agreements to permit: (1) an institution to devise suitable work opportunities for students studying abroad, including work for foreign colleges, universities, and nonprofit or service organizations; (2) establishment of internship programs involving work for foreign or multinational organizations relevant to the student's course of study; and (3) work-study compensation to eligible students for such work or internships. Declares that student financial aid administrators have discretionary authority to make certain necessary cost of attendance and asset adjustments and special arrangements for student notification, verification, disbursement, and refunds, for students participating in approved programs of study abroad. Allows requests for deferment of Stafford or Perkins student loan repayment by students engaged in graduate or postgraduate fellowship study abroad to be approved until the completion of the fellowship period. Revises HEA title VI (International Education Programs) requirements for undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs to add to the list of authorized grant activities development of: (1) undergraduate study abroad programs providing courses closely related to on-campus foreign language and international studies curricula; and (2) new study abroad opportunities for undergraduates in specific degree programs' curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and consortia for: (1) study abroad in the form of either programs in locations otherwise unavailable for such study or opportunities for students who would not otherwise engage in such study; and (2) enrichment of study abroad programs, including development of model predeparture and post-return activities, program selection material and advising services, and academic advising. Requires that centers for international business education assisted under HEA include in their programs opportunities for business students to study abroad in locations which are important to the current and future economic well-being of the United States. Provides that intensive summer language institutes receiving HEA grants may be either in the United States or in appropriate countries abroad. Includes among authorized providers of such training institutes designed to integrate intensive foreign language training with culture experiences abroad for undergraduate students in a wide range of disciplines. Covers the costs of travel to and from institutes in foreign countries in stipends for students and faculty attending such institutes.