United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1985
Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the method of determining the inpatient hospital deductible, extended care services coinsurance amount, and monthly premium. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional excise tax on cigarettes. Deposits revenues raised by the additional tax into the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1985
Depository Institution Examination Improvement Act of 1985 - Redesignates the Financial Institution Examination Council as the Depository Institutions Examination Council. Requires the Council to devise a Federal examiner classification system and, for each of 12 districts approximating the districts of the Federal depository institutions regulatory agencies (regulatory agencies), a regional pay scale in order to provide Federal examiners with compensation and benefits commensurate with private sector accountants and auditors who perform similar functions in such districts. Directs each regulatory agency and each regional bank, branch, or office of such agency to assign and pay examiners accordingly. Directs the Council to prescribe methods of determining travel allowances and pay rates for temporary assignments of examiners. Exempts from Federal laws and regulations applicable to Government employees the officers and employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration. Exempts such entities, the Council, Federal reserve banks, and Federal Home Loan Banks from Federal laws and regulations providing for budget and appropriation review and provides that certain assessments received by such entities shall not be considered Government funds or appropriated money. Subjects such entities and banks to audit by the Comptroller General. Repeals authority of the Secretary of the Treasury over the Comptroller of the Currency and staff. Authorizes each regulatory agency to establish procedures for transferring employees affected by this Act out of the civil service and for providing fair and equitable compensation and reimbursement to such employees for any resulting loss of benefits. Directs the Council to: (1) develop a proposal for consolidating all Federal examiner training programs in one school to be established and conducted by the Council; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on its findings, legislative recommendations, and the savings to the regulatory agencies that would result from such consolidation. Requires the Council to: (1) study the feasibility of establishing a graduate degree program in financial management analysis for officers and employees of the regulatory agencies and the State depository institutions supervisory agencies (State agencies); and (2) report to specified congressional committees on its findings, legislative recommendations, the cost of establishing and conducting the program, and on the approval or disapproval by each regulatory agency of the Council's proposal for such program. Requires the Council to establish minimum requirements for examinations of depository institutions by State agencies in order for such an examination to be acceptable for purposes of Federal law. Directs the Council: (1) at least annually, to request each State agency which examines institutions subject to Federal examination to allow the Council to review its examination methods; (2) to notify a State agency if its examination methods do not satisfy such minimum requirements and allow the agency not more than three years to cure any deficiency; and (3) notify each Federal regulatory agency if a State agency refuses to allow a review of its examination methods or fails to remedy any deficiency in its methods. Prohibits any Federal regulatory agency or any regional bank, branch, or other office of such Federal agency to rely on any report of examination by a State agency for which such a notice has been received to fulfill an examination requirement under Federal law. Requires the Council to establish a State examiner certification program and to evaluate State examiners for certification at the request of a State agency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1985
Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow State, local, or interstate governmental agencies to provide compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Requires that such compensatory time be one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. Allows such compensatory time only if it is a collective bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding or other agreement or understanding entered into by the public agency and its employees or their recognized representatives before the work for which the compensatory time is to be provided. Limits the amount of such compensatory time which public employees may accrue to 180 hours, or 480 hours in the case of work which included a public safety activity, an emergency response activity, or a seasonal activity. Requires that public employees who have accrued such compensatory time and requested its use be permitted to use it within a reasonable period after making such request if its use does not unduly disrupt the operations of the public agency. Requires that, upon termination of employment, a public employee who has accrued such compensatory time be paid for unused compensatory time at a rate not less than the average rate received by such employee during the last three years of the employees' employment. Provides that, if a public agency had in effect on April 15, 1986, a pattern or practice of providing its employees compensatory time off in lieu of overtime compensation, that pattern or practice shall constitute an agreement or understanding which meets specified requirements. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement in effect on April 15, 1986, which permits overtime compensation in the form of compensatory time off at a rate of less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required shall remain in effect until its expiration date unless otherwise modified, except that compensatory time shall be provided after April 14, 1986, at the one and one-half hour rate. Provides that States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies shall not be liable for specified overtime and related paperwork violations which occur before April 15, 1986, with respect to employees who would not have been covered under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Permits States, local governments, or interstate governmental agencies to defer until August 1, 1986, the payment of overtime compensation for hours of employment after April 14, 1986. Adds provisions relating to special detail work for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, or intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours on special detail work for a separate or independent employer shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of overtime compensation, if the employee agrees, solely at the employee's option, to perform such special detail work. Provides that an employee's hours of part-time employment with a public agency in a substantially different capacity from the employee's regular full-time employment with such agency shall be excluded from the calculation of overtime compensation, if such part-time employment is undertaken on an occasional and sporadic basis and solely at the employee's option. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations: (1) defining when employment is done on an occasional or sporadic basis; and (2) prescribing a standard for determining if employment is in a substantially different capacity than other employment. Permits employees of States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies to volunteer to perform services for any other such agency, including one with which the employing agency has a mutual aid agreement. Adds provisions relating to substitution work by and for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, and intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours of substitution during scheduled work hours for a fellow employee shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of the substituting employee's overtime compensation, if such employee agrees to perform such substitute work with the public agency's approval and solely at the employee's option. Provides that the employer may not be required to keep a record of the hours of such substitute work under certain overtime recordkeeping requirements. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate governmental agency who volunteers to perform such services without compensation or for a nominal fee, expenses, or reasonable benefits or for any combination of such fee, expenses, or benefits. Provides that employees of such agencies shall still be considered employees if they volunteer to perform the same type of service for those agencies for which they are employed. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations to define nominal fees and reasonable benefits. Provides that, if before April 15, 1986, a public agency's practice was to treat certain persons as volunteers then such persons shall be considered volunteers and not employees until April 15, 1986. Provides that no State, local government, or interstate governmental agency shall be liable for a violation of minimum wage requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to services performed for the public agency by any individual who performed such services as a volunteer. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude from coverage under the Act State and local legislative employees who are not legislative library employees. Makes the amendments made by this Act effective on April 15, 1986, but authorizes the Secretary of Labor to promulgate before such date regulations to implement such amendments. Prohibits construing such amendments as affecting whether a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency is liable under penalty provisions of the Act for violations of minimum wage, overtime, or paperwork requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to any employee who would have been covered by by the Act under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Requires that a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency be held to have violated specified provisions if it discriminates or has discriminated against an employee with respect to wages or other terms or conditions of employment because on or after February 19, 1985, the employee asserted coverage under overtime provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Risk Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop educational programs and materials and public service announcements on the dangers to human health from the use of smokeless tobacco and to make such programs, materials, and announcements available to States, local governments, and school systems. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the development and distribution of educational programs, materials, and public service announcements on the dangers to human health from the use of smokeless tobacco and to establish 21 as the minimum age for purchasing smokeless tobacco. Requires specified warning labels on all smokeless tobacco products and advertisements. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Imposes a ban on smokeless tobacco advertising on any medium of electronic communication subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), effective January 11, 1986. Grants district courts of the United States jurisdiction and injunctive powers to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Directs the FTC to report to the Congress annually on the use and health effects of smokeless tobacco products. Directs the FCC to report to the Congress annually on the sales and advertising and marketing practices associated with smokeless tobacco products.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Federal Government Easy Access Act - Requires Federal agency correspondence outside the executive branch to include the name, phone number, and mailing address of individuals to whom responses and inquiries may be made.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Corporation for Small Business Investment Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to provide that references to small business investment companies operating under the Act shall be deemed to refer to small business investment companies operating under the provisions of this Act. Includes in the term "small business investment company" any organization which is qualified to conduct business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment. Requires small business investment companies to provide a source of equity capital for incorporated and unincorporated small businesses under such terms as the small business investment company may fix in accordance with the rules of the Corporation. (Currently, such capital is provided by small business investment companies in accordance with the regulations of the Small Business Administration.) Provides that small business investment companies may provide to small businesses: (1) equity investments and loans on a participation or guaranteed basis; and (2) consulting and advisory services on a fee basis. Establishes the Corporation for Small Business Investment. Authorizes the Corporation to: (1) make loans to small business investment companies; (2) purchase preferred securities, debentures, and guarantee debentures issued by such companies; and (3) act as issuer of such securities. Requires the Corporation to establish criteria for the qualification of: (1) small business investment companies to conduct business with such corporation; and (2) small business investment companies whose investments will be made solely in small businesses which will help facilitate the ownership in such businesses by persons who have been hampered by social or economic disadvantages. Permits the purchase of ownership interests in small business investment companies by national banks. Authorizes small business investment companies to: (1) purchase stock issued by the Corporation; (2) borrow money; and (3) issue its debenture bonds, promissory notes, or other obligations under conditions as prescribed by the Corporation. Authorizes and directs the Corporation and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enter into an agreement in which the Corporation will acquire title to preferred securities and debentures issued by small business investment companies whose policy is to facilitate small business ownership by socially and economically disadvantaged persons, and held by the SBA, and Funds held by the SBA representing the reserve for losses against such preferred securities and debentures. Sets forth the conditions under which the Corporation shall hold such securities, debenture, and loss reserve Funds. Authorizes the Corporation to: (1) enter into agreements regarding the operation of small business investment companies; and (2) issue common and preferred stock. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued by the Corporation. Exempts from the securities laws of the United States all stock and obligations issued by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to adopt rules on conflicts of interest which may be detrimental to: (1) small businesses; (2) small business investment companies; or (3) the Corporation. Requires the accounts of the Corporation to be audited annually. Requires a report of each such audit to be: (1) furnished to the Secretary; and (2) made by the Secretary to the President and the Small Business Committees of the Congress not later than six months following the close of each fiscal year. Requires the Corporation, after the end of each fiscal year, to transmit to the President, the Small Business Committees of the Congress, and the Administrator a report of its operations and activities during each year. Exempts from State usury laws all business loans made by a small business investment company pursuant to this Act. Transfers to the Corporation all title to small business investment company securities that are guaranteed by the SBA and held by the Federal Financing Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Amends the copyright law to make permanent the prohibition against importing certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, denying copyright protection to books imported in violation of this restriction (the manufacturing clause).
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Social Security Budget and Administrative Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs which he or she administers. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Sets forth the effective dates of this title. Title III: Budgetary Treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Provides for off-budget treatment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund beginning with FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) purchase petroleum from Mexico for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by using the total amount in the SPR Petroleum Account that is available for petroleum products acquisition; and (2) submit a plan to the Congress for a $1,500,000,000 loan to Mexico to be repaid, with interest, with petroleum for the SPR. Urges such a plan to offset in the Federal budget the amount of the loan outlay by reducing certain Department of Defense expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Simultaneous Nuclear Test-Ban Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, before January 1, 1986, should declare that the United States will stop testing nuclear warheads and will invite the Soviet Union to meet with the United States to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at the earliest possible date. Declares that the United States should continue the cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads so long as the Soviet Union refrains from the testing of nuclear warheads and substantive Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty negotiations are in progress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that during such cessation the President should seek resumption of the comprehensive test ban talks between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Prohibits the United States from obligating or spending any money for testing nuclear warheads during the six-month period beginning on January 1, 1986, if the President does not declare such a cessation of nuclear testing. Authorizes such spending if the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union on or after January 1, 1986, tested a nuclear warhead. Requires the President to include in any such certification: (1) an unclassified report summarizing the basis for the certification; and (2) a classified report describing the Soviet activities that are the basis for the certification. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the progress in nuclear arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union; and (2) whether the President believes that continuation of the cessation of nuclear testing is in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Commends U.S. financial institutions for recognizing the economic instability inherent in the system of apartheid. Urges such institutions to continue calling in loans to South African borrowers as they come due.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Extends the sympathy of the United States to Mexico on the earthquake tragedy. Declares that: (1) the President should provide appropriate relief and rehabilitation assistance to prevent further suffering and safeguard the public health; and (2) the United States is prepared to cooperate with Mexico in long term efforts to recover from the effects of the earthquake.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Requests the President to resubmit the proposed Agreement for Cooperation with China to the Congress, together with a formal exemption from the safeguard and non-alteration requirements of transferred nuclear materials under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, if the Government of Mexico requests such assistance, should: (1) use existing funds available to the Department of State and the Agency for International Development, including the "borrowing" authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to provide disaster relief for the victims of the earthquake in Mexico on September 19, 1985; and (2) submit a request to the Congress for the authorization and appropriation of such additional disaster assistance as may be necessary. Declares that the Congress will give expeditious consideration to any such request for disaster assistance to Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
California Outer Continental Shelf Protection and Development Act - Permits oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for specified submerged lands of the California Outer Continental Shelf. Requires such activities to be carried out in a manner which minimizes their environmental, economic, and social impacts. Authorizes the conduct of one Continental Off-Structure Stratigraphic Test in specified areas. Permits exploration or development activities on specified lands only under emergency conditions of a severe energy supply interruption. Terminates such activities unless the President renews his findings of emergency conditions. Terminates this Act after 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Establishes a field sanitation occupational health and safety standard with respect to agricultural employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field. Provides that such standard shall be deemed to be an occupational health and safety standard promulgated, enforceable, and subject to penalties for violations under specified provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). Prohibits modification, revocation, or challenge of such standard under specified provisions of OSHA. Provides that this Act shall not preempt any State occupational health and safety standard, or any provision thereof, which is more effective in providing sanitized potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities for agricultural employees than the standard established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the appointment by the Secretary of Education of members of the National Advisory and Coordinating Council on Bilingual Education who oppose programs authorized under the Bilingual Education Act meets with the strongest of disapproval by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor-piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shotgun shot composed in order to comply with Federal or State law; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; (3) ammunition containing frangible projectiles; and (4) any ammunition or projectiles which the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor-piercing ammunition. Allows: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor-piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation; or (3) manufacture or importation for the purposes of testing and experimentation authorized by the Secretary. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke a license from a dealer for violating this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations allowing for special marking on armor-piercing communication and packaging. Establishes an additional mandatory sentence for any person who during and in relation to the commission of a violent crime carries a firearm and is in possession of armor-piercing ammunition capable of being fired by such firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Code provisions dealing with the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit (allowing domestic corporations a tax credit if certain percentages of gross income are derived from sources within a possession or from the active conduct of a trade or business within a possession) should not be revised and should be allowed to continue to operate in their present form.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1985 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should immediately invite the Soviet Union to enter into negotiations with the United States which seek an agreement on a comprehensive freeze (a bilateral and adequately verifiable halt by the United States and the Soviet Union in all testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems). Declares the President should inform the Soviet Union of the U.S. intention to engage in a bilateral halt in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) both during and after negotiations for a comprehensive freeze the President should pursue reductions in nuclear arsenals; and (2) a comprehensive freeze is entirely consistent with, and an essential part of mutual stabilizing reductions in nuclear forces. Requires both the Senate and the House Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Sets forth which committees and subcommittees may have members participate in such hearings. Requires the Intelligence Committees to report to their respective Houses within six months of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. monitoring systems and existing procedures for verifying Soviet compliance with the comprehensive freeze. Requires the reports to include: (1) an assessment of the nature and extent of Soviet activities and installations involved in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems; (2) an assessment of current U.S. capabilities to monitor threatening changes in the status of Soviet nuclear forces under the comprehensive freeze; and (3) an assessment of additional monitoring systems and cooperative procedures that may be needed to increase monitoring confidence of compliance. Requires the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for implementation of the comprehensive freeze. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the plan within nine months of enactment of this Act. Requires the report to specify: (1) procedures for the cessation of activities and closure or conversion of facilities affected by the comprehensive freeze; (2) a program for the retraining and re-employment of Government and defense industry personnel directly affected by the termination of nuclear weapons-related activities; and (3) a program of economic adjustment assistance for adversely affected communities. Directs the President to submit semi-annual reports to the Congress on: (1) the status of U.S. and Soviet negotiation efforts; (2) Soviet military activities relating to the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems; and (3) any uncertainties concerning verification of the comprehensive freeze, the status of efforts to reduce those uncertainties, and the national security implications of those uncertainties. Imposes the following restrictions on nuclear testing, deployment, and production only if the Soviet Union, within a specified time, informs the President that the Soviet Union will observe a bilateral halt in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems. Prohibits obligating or spending appropriations for testing, producing, or deploying nuclear weapons systems, unless the Congress expressly provides otherwise. Allows the testing and deployment of specified nuclear missiles for a limited time. Sets forth the effective dates of such restrictions. Authorizes the President to request the Congress to remove the funding restrictions on the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems only if the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union has failed to demonstrate a restraint with respect to nuclear weapons systems which corresponds to the restraint being shown by the United States; or (2) continuation of the funding restrictions would cause significant and irreparable damage to U.S. national security. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such a request by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Confirms title in specified lands in California and Nevada which were transferred to such States by the Federal Government, conveyed by such States to third parties, and were determined in a border dispute resolution to be a part of a State other than the State which conveyed the title.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA) to add a new title X, the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985. (Redesignates the current title X as title XI.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for such new title X. Directs the Secretary of Education, from such title X funds for any fiscal year, to allot 20 percent to each of five categories of local educational agencies (LEAs) (based on total elementary and secondary school student enrollments). Directs the Secretary, from the amounts allotted to such categories of LEAs, to award as many grants as practicable within each such category to LEAs whose applications: (1) have been approved; and (2) propose a program of sufficient size and scope to be of value as a demonstration. Limits an LEA to no more than one such grant in each of three fiscal years. Requires the amount of a grant to be, to the extent practicable, proportionate to the extent and severity of the local dropout problem. Limits the amount of a grant to 90 percent of the total cost of a project during its first fiscal year, 80 percent in the second, and 70 percent in the third. Sets forth grant application requirements (including plans for addressing the needs of pregnant minors and school-age parents). Directs the Secretary to give first priority within each category of LEA to applicants with either very high numbers or very high percentages of school dropouts. Sets forth requirements for review of LEA second or third year projects. Requires such grants to be used to carry out plans set forth in the applications. Lists activities such grants may also be used for, including counseling, remedial education, work-study, community-organization service, curriculum review, and school staff training. Requires at least 30 percent of each grant to be used for dropout prevention activities, and another 30 percent for dropout reentry activities (i.e. persuading dropouts to return to school and assisting former dropouts with specialized services once they return to school). Directs the Secretary, from amounts appropriated to the Secretary for FY 1986, to use a specified limited amount to conduct a one-year study of the nature and extent of the dropout program. Sets forth requirements for such study, (including development of a model dropout information collection and reporting system and minimum reporting system requirements). Sets forth general provisions for title X, including provisions relating to withholding payments, annual reports, and audits. Requires that title X grants supplement other funds.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Foreign Language Assistance for National Security Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies to fund model programs, designed and operated by local educational agencies, for the improvement and expansion of foreign language study for children aged five through 17 who reside within their school districts. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such grants based on State population. Sets forth provisions relating to the availability of such funds. Sets forth grant application requirements for State educational agencies, including provisions for periodic student proficiency evaluation. Provides for program participation by private school children. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to fund model foreign language programs designed and operated at community and junior colleges. Bases the amount of such grants on State population. Sets forth grant application requirements, including periodic student proficiency evaluation. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to cover part of the costs of undergraduate foreign language instruction. Sets forth formulas to determine whether an institution is eligible for such grants, based on the percentage of its student body enrolled in qualified postsecondary language courses. Provides that to be eligible for such grants an institution must require that: (1) each entering student have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction; or (2) each graduating student have earned two years postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in a foreign language). Authorizes the Secretary to establish standards, including reporting requirements, for programs assisted by such grants. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on numbers of undergraduate students enrolled in such courses. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer intensive language training institutes for exceptional secondary school students. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to encourage, to the extent possible, diversity in the languages taught in summer institutes. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer language training institutes for the professional development of the proficiency of elementary and secondary school language teachers. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make matching grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to assist advanced foreign language students to develop their language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies through study abroad. Allows such study abroad to be combined with an internship in an international business enterprise. Requires such program to provide the opportunity for language-proficient students with majors in various other fields to combine language study with studies in those fields. Sets forth a range of world regions and languages which such programs may include. Limits the amount of each grant to one-half the cost of providing such assistance. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Permits grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Prohibits any grant or contract under this Act except to such extent, or in such amounts, as may be provided in appropriation Acts. Defines "foreign language" as any language other than English, except that with respect to programs and activities conducted under this Act in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico such term includes English. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 to carry out grant programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Children's Justice Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make additional grants to States for developing, operating, or implementing programs for: (1) handling child abuse cases in a manner to reduce trauma to the child (especially in sexual abuse cases); (2) successful prosecution or legal action against child abusers; and (3) protection of children from abuse. Makes a State eligible for such assistance if it establishes a multidisciplinary task force and adopts reforms recommended by such task force. Requires the task force to be comprised of professionals experienced in the criminal justice system. Requires a State to adopt reforms recommended by the task force in each of the three stipulated categories or submit a detailed explanation of the reasons for not carrying out such recommendations. Requires the Secretary, through the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to: (1) compile, publish, and disseminate evaluations of the approaches utilized with respect to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases; (2) develop and disseminate model training materials and procedures to help insure that law enforcement, legal, judicial, and child welfare personnel are adequately trained to deal with child abuse victims; and (3) provide for support of research projects to assist in identifying effective approaches to achieving successful investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. Directs the Secretary, within two years, to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out with the funds made available under this Act and report the results to the Congress. Requires the evaluation to be made available to State officials within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and any other agency or department head designated by the President, to meet regularly to coordinate and prevent the overlap of programs that address child abuse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on the coordination of Federal programs. Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Criminal File and its Uniform Crime Reporting System, with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Public Health Service Act with regard to the confidentiality of patient records to provide that nothing in such section shall supersede any State or local requirement for the reporting of incidents of suspected child abuse to authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Federal Equitable Pay Practices Act of 1985 - Establishes the Commission on Equitable Pay Practices to determine whether the Government's position-classification system and prevailing rate system are designed and administered in accordance with the general policy that sex, race, and ethnicity should not be among factors considered in determining pay rates. Requires the Commission to conduct, by contract with a consultant selected under this Act, a study under which job-content analysis and economic analysis shall be applied to a representative sample of occupations in which: (1) either sex is numerically predominant; (2) any race is disproportionately represented; or (3) any ethnic group is disproportionately represented. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President on the results of such study not later than 18 months after the Commission's date of establishment. Make sums appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for general operating expenses available to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Prohibits the importation of certain species of kangaroos and kangaroo products (currently allowed to be imported under an administrative exception to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if in accordance with the management plans of Australian states).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the penalties for offenses involving: (1) a kilogram or more of cocaine; (2) two or more kilograms of any other narcotic drug in schedules I or II; (3) a kilogram or more of phencyclidine (PCP); or (4) 25 grams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Provides for a fine of not more than $500,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 30 years. Prohibits any person from being released on bail pending trial for or appeal with respect to an offense under such Act. Requires first offenders to serve at least one half of their sentences before they become eligible for parole. Makes second drug offenders subject to life imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Institutional Aid Act of 1985 - Amends title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise institutional aid programs, especially in relation to the development needs of historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with large concentrations of minority, low-income students. Includes as eligible institutions, for purposes of the title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) grants program, any institution of higher education which meets specified requirements and which has an enrollment of which at least: (1) 20 percent are Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic students, or combination thereof; (2) 60 percent American Indian, Alaska Native, or Aleut, or combination thereof; or (3) five percent Native Hawaiian, American Samoan, Micronesian, Guamian (Chamorro), or Northern Marianan, or any combination thereof. Establishes under title III part B, "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (which replaces the current part B, Aid to Institutions with Special Needs). Defines a "part B institution" as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans. Sets forth authorized uses for grants allotted to institutions under the part B program. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make allotments to part B institutions according to formulas based on number of: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) graduates; and (3) graduates in attendance at graduate or professional schools in degree programs in disciplines in which blacks are underrepresented. Sets forth a special rule regarding allotments to Howard University or the University of the District of Columbia. Sets forth provisions for applications for part B grant allotments. Sets forth provisions for part B program grants to professional and graduate institutions. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, to award such grants to each of listed postgraduate institutions that the Secretary determines to be making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities for black Americans. Prohibits any such grant in excess of $500,000 unless the postgraduate institution assures that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years. Provides that any one undergraduate or postgraduate institution may receive no more than two such five-year grants. Allows use of such grants for: (1) any of the authorized uses of part B allotment grants; (2) contribution development offices; and (3) institutional endowments. Sets forth application requirements. Provides that independent professional or graduate institutions eligible for such grants include: (1) Morehouse School of Medicine; (2) Meharry Medical School; (3) Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School; (4) Atlanta University; and (5) Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Sets forth reporting and audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. Revises title III part C (Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B) to rename the "endowment grants" under such part "challenge grants." Makes technical and conforming amendments to eligibility requirements under such part. Reduces the maximum amount of any such part C challenge grant for FY 1985 through 1987. (Retains the current maximum for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years.) Establishes under title III a new part D, "Reservation for Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Basin Institutions." (Redesignates the current part D as part E.) Directs the Secretary, from part A appropriations, to make available for use for the purpose of such part the greater of specified amounts or the following portions of such funds: (1) 20 percent for Hispanic institutions; (2) five percent for Native American, Native Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; and (3) five percent for institutions serving Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians residing in the Pacific Basin, including the State of Hawaii. Sets forth authorized uses of such part A funds which are reserved under the new part C. Revises the redesignated part E (General Provisions) under title III. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register all policies and procedures required to exercise the authority to approve applications for title III assistance. Prohibits any other criteria, policies, or procedure from being applicable for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use the most recent and relevant data concerning the number and percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA in making eligibility determinations under part A of title III; and (2) advance the base-year forward following each annual grant cycle. Requires the Secretary to waive specified part A institutional eligibility requirements (involving an institution's having a relatively high percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV of HEA) in the case of an institution which is: (1) extensively subsidized by the State in which it is located and charges low or no tuition; (2) serving a substantial number of low- and middle-income students as a percentage of its total student population; (3) contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, who are low-income individuals; or (4) substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas unserved by postsecondary institutions. Includes Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Basin institutions which have been determined eligible under part D, although not satisfying a specified eligibility criterion (involving an institution's having relatively low and general expenditures), among those institutions which must be included in an annual report of the Secretary to the Congress. Includes among those reasons for which the Secretary may grant a waiver of specified eligibility requirements (involving an institution's being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and its being authorized to offer bachelor's or junior or community college degrees) a determination that such waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans or Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to take care to assure that representatives of historically black colleges, Hispanic institutions, Native American institutions, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, are included as readers on title III application review panels. Revises provisions for grants to encourage cooperative arrangements to include such arrangements between title III aid recipients and institutions not receiving such assistance. Includes benefit to the applicant institutions as a priority criterion in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the following title III programs: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (with a separate authorization for part B provisions for Professional and Graduate Institutions); and (3) part C, Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B. Directs the Secretary to make available part A funds for any fiscal year to eligible institutions as follows: (1) at least 30 percent to junior or community colleges; (2) at least 20 percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Hispanic institutions; (3) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Native American, Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; (4) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Pacific Basin institutions; and (5) the remainder to institutions that plan to award a bachelor's degree during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to erect a monument, given as a gift from Morocco in recognition of mutual friendship, on Federal land within the District of Columbia. Directs the Secretary, with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select a design and site for the monument. Directs the Secretary to maintain the monument. Makes the authority to erect the monument contingent on construction beginning within five years. Directs that U.S. funds may not be used to build the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Child Care Opportunities for Families Act - Title I: Increasing the Supply of Child Care - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of appropriations authorized for FY 1985 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for title XX allotments to States. Reserves specified amounts from such title XX funds for FY 1986 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for use only for the provision of qualified child day care services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allot such reserved funds in the same proportions as regular title XX allotments. Defines qualified child day care services, for such purposes, as child day care services which are provided to: (1) children who are abused or neglected children, or at risk of being abused or neglected, or in families receiving child protective services; (2) children of eligible families who are recipients of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC); and (3) children (handicapped or nonhandicapped) of low-income parents (including legal guardians or primary caretakers) who are adolescents, or working, or enrolled in education or training programs, or seeking employment. Provides that such child day care services funds shall be: (1) only supplementary to funds from other sources (including other title XX funds); (2) separately accounted for in reports and audits; and (3) not transferable for purposes of other Federal block grant programs. Requires States, as a condition of eligibility for title XX block grants, to provide a State share of the total expenditures made by the State during any fiscal year (in cash or kind) for the provision of services directed at the goals set forth under title XX. Sets such State share to be provided from non-Federal public or private sources, at 25 percent of such total expenditures. Establishes a school-based early childhood education and child care services pilot program. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish and expand such education and services for children aged four and five. Permits such pilot program funds to be used to: (1) extend half-day kindergarten to a full school day or typical working day to meet the needs of working parents; (2) contract with community-based child care organizations to provide part-day child day care to complement existing half-day or full school day school-based kindergarten or early childhood education programs; and (3) establish, or contract with community-based child care organizations to provide, pre-kindergarten or early childhood education programs and child day care services for children four years of age for a typical working day. Sets forth provisions for State applications for such pilot program grants, including requirements for: (1) State and LEA advisory panels; (2) encouragement of participation of severely handicapped children; and (3) priority consideration to programs serving substantial proportions of children from low-income families. Directs the Secretary of Education, in considering such applications to: (1) give preference to applicants whose programs provide services for the typical working day; and (2) ensure an equitable distribution of grants among States. Sets forth requirements for such pilot programs, including parent involvement, sliding scale fee scales, and no fees charged to families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level. Sets forth matching requirements for such pilot programs. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent in the first year of assistance, 60 percent in the second year, and 40 percent in the third and any subsequent year. Limits administrative costs to five percent of the grant to the State or five percent of assistance to any LEA. Requires that at least ten percent of the total enrollment opportunities in each LEA in such pilot programs shall be available for handicapped children, with services to meet their special needs. Sets forth requirements for reports on, and evaluation of, such pilot programs. Defines community-based child care organization, for purposes of such pilot program provisions, as a private organization which is representative of the community and which has experience in providing child care services to low-income families. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such pilot program of school-based early childhood education and child care services. Title II: Upgrading State Child Care Standards - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to add a further increase (above that already provided under title I of this Act) in the amount of appropriations authorized for Fy 1986 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for title XX allotments to States. Reserves specified amounts from such title XX funds for FY 1986 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for incentive grants to States for improvements in their child care licensing, regulatory, and monitoring systems. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to initially allot such reserved funds in the same proportions as regular title XX allotments. Requires that any remaining part of such reserved funds be used for making further grants to States which require additional assistance to carry out their State plans for such purpose. Requires that, for years after FY 1986, priority be given in distributing such additional funds to those States which have developed plans that will lead to their meeting or exceeding the recommended standards established by the National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards pursuant to this Act. Requires the Governor of each State, as a condition of the State's eligibility for receiving title XX Federal payments, to establish or designate a State Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards which shall: (1) examine, investigate, and study the State's laws, regulations, and procedures for licensing, regulating, and monitoring child care services and programs within the State; and (2) prepare a report outlining the committee's findings and recommendations, including a description of the current status of child care licensing, regulating, or monitoring within the State to be submitted to each State's Governor for transmittal, along with the Governor's comments, to the Secretary of HHS. Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards in order to assist and provide guidance to the States in improving the quality of child care services. Requires each State Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Committee to review the options for child care standards published by the Department of HHS in January 1985 and the final 1980 HEW Day Care Regulations. Directs the National Advisory Committee to issue recommended standards for child care programs, after first publishing proposed standards and receiving comments. Terminates the National Advisory Committee 90 days after the publication of the final recommended standards. Directs the Secretary of HHS, from the title XX funds reserved and allotted to the States for such purpose, to make incentive grants to assist States in carrying out their plans to correct deficiences in, or otherwise improving, the licensing, regulating, and monitoring of their child care programs. Requires that State applications for such grants include such plans. Requires a detailed explanation if the State plan omits carrying out any recommendation contained in the State advisory committee's report. Title III: Expanding Private Sector Initiatives - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program of grants to local private nonprofit organizations to improve and expand child care services in the community by establishing and administering community funds for child care, in partnership with private for-profit businesses. Requires that such grants be used to provide: (1) child care scholarships on a sliding fee scale for low-income families through vouchers or by purchasing slots in child care programs; (2) partial scholarships of such sort to families ineligible for child care under title XX of the Social Security Act and whose income does not exceed $30,000; and (3) loans and grants to local nonprofit organizations (especially those serving significant proportions of low-income children) for start-up or renovation costs for community child day care services. Sets the maximum Federal share of the cost of expenditures from such community funds at 50 percent in the first year of Federal assistance, 40 percent in the second year, and 25 percent in the third and any subsequent year. Sets forth grant application requirements, including: (1) establishment of local advisory boards; and (2) obtaining of at least half of the local share of such community funds from for-profit private businesses. Directs the Secretary of HHS, in considering such applications, to: (1) ensure an equitable distribution of assistance among States and among urban and rural areas; and (2) give preference to organizations that have received such assistance in the previous year. Sets forth requirements for annual reports, evaluations, and audits of such community child care funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such community child care funds program. Title IV: Training Child Care Personnel - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to add a further increase (above that already provided under titles I and II of this Act) in the amount of appropriations authorized for FY 1986 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for title XX allotments to States. Reserves specified amounts from such title XX funds for FY 1986 through 1988 and succeeding fiscal years for use by States in providing child care personnel training and retraining (including training in child development and in prevention of child abuse in day care settings). Provides that such training may be given to: (1) providers of licensed or registered child care services; (2) operators and staffs of facilities where such services are provided; (3) State licensing and enforcement officials; and (4) parents. Gives priority in such training to infant care providers, family day care providers, and providers of care for children with handicapping conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to initially allot such reserved funds in the same proportions as regular title XX allotments. Requires that any remaining part of such reserved funds be used for making further payments to States on the basis of their respective needs and other factors which the Secretary of HHS considers appropriate. Establishes a program of scholarships for low-income individuals who are candidates for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Directs the Secretary of HHS to make grants to States to provide such scholarships. Requires that preference be given to scholarship applicants who are candidates for the CDA credential for work in: (1) a family day care setting with children who are not more than five years of age; or (2) a center-based setting with children who are not more than three years of age. Requires State grant applications to assure that: (1) each scholarship will cover all necessary costs incidental to receiving the CDA credential; and (2) the State will not expend more than five percent of the grant for administrative costs. Defines low-income individual, for such purposes, as one whose income does not exceed 185 percent of a specified poverty line. Amends title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to add a new part G, Training Personnel for Early Childhood Education. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to institutions of higher education to: (1) train personnel for careers in early childhood education and development; and (2) prepare professional personnel to provide such training. Directs the Secretary to ensure that such part G grant funds are equitably distributed by geographic region and between four-year and two-year institutions. Permits such grants to be used by the institutions: (1) to cover the cost of such courses of training or study; and (2) for scholarships to individuals who agree to be providers of early childhood education or child day care services for at least two years after completion of their academic program. Requires that such scholarships be awarded on the basis of need to full- or part-time students, with preference to be given to those preparing to work with children three years of age or younger or children with handicapping conditions. Sets forth reporting requirements for grant or contract recipients under part G. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to carry out such HEA title V part G grants program for training personnel in early childhood education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to carry out such program. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to revise provisions for grants to States for planning and development of dependent care programs. Adds an authorization of appropriations for FY 1986 for allotments to States to carry out the family day care training and technical assistance grants program added by this Act. Prohibits a project under such program from duplicating any services already provided by the State or locality to be served. Permits such program funds for FY 1986 to be used for grants to eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide: (1) training to family day care providers and individuals involved in training such providers (including child development and infant care training); and (2) technical assistance to family day care sponsors, providers, and individuals involved in training such providers, on laws and regulations applicable to the provision of family day care services. Allows training and technical assistance relating to the provision of family day care for handicapped children to be included under such grants. Makes nonprofit community-based organizations eligible for such grants if they: (1) have experience with working with such providers; and (2) agree to give training and technical assistance to such providers serving low-income families. Defines family day care as the care of children provided outside their residences, for a fee and on a part-day basis, by an individual in that individual's residence. Title V: Child Care Services for Special Groups - Part A: Child Care Services for Low-Income Postsecondary Students - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new part D, Higher Education Institution-Based Child Care Program. Authorizes appropriations for such new part D program for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary of Education to use such part D funds to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide child care services to low-income students. Sets forth grant application requirements, including provision of assurances that: (1) at least two-thirds of program participants are low-income individuals who are first-generation college students; (2) the remaining participants are either low-income individuals or first-generation college students; (3) the participants require the services to pursue a successful education beyond secondary school; (4) participants are enrolled at the grant recipient institution; and (5) the institution will provide to participants market rate vouchers for child care in licensed or registered programs or purchase slots in such programs for use by participants. Limits institutional administrative costs to five percent of the program grant. Defines low-income individual as one from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of a specified poverty level amount. Part B: Respite Care Demonstration Grants for Families with Special Needs - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program of grants to States to assist public and private agencies to provide in-home or out-of-home respite care for handicapped children and children with chronic or terminal illnesses. Requires that such care be provided on a sliding fee scale with hourly and daily rates. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a demonstration program of grants to States to assist public and private agencies to provide crisis nurseries (i.e. centers providing temporary emergency services and care) for children who are abused and neglected, at high risk of abuse and neglect, or in families receiving child protective services. Requires crisis nurseries to: (1) provide such services and care without fee for a maximum of 30 days; (2) provide referral to support services. Sets forth administrative provisions for applications and awards of grants for the demonstration programs under this part. Requires States receiving such grants to submit annual funded program evaluation reports to the Secretary of HHS. Part C: Comprehensive Service Centers - Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a program of grants to State and local health departments and nonprofit agencies to establish and operate school-located comprehensive health service centers. Requires such programs to be administered through the health resources and services administration of the Department of HHS. Requires such centers to provide, or arrange for the provision of, comprehensive health care services, child care sufficient to enable a student to continue education or enter employment, family life and parenting education, and academic and employment counseling and placement. Makes such services available to any student, but requires that priority attention be given the needs of any student who is an adolescent parent, pregnant, or a potential dropout. Requires such programs to provide or arrange provision of: (1) such services on school campuses, to the extent practicable; and (2) transportation of students to and from agencies supplying such services, and of eligible adolescent parents and their children to and from child care services. Sets forth provisions for fee schedules for such services. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of inability to provide full payment for such services. Requires grant recipients to collect reimbursement, where possible, for the Medicaid and title XX child care services programs under the Social Security Act. Limits State or local administrative costs to ten percent, and Federal administrative costs to one percent, of program funds. Sets forth grant application requirements. Directs the Secretary of HHS, in reviewing such applications, to: (1) consider the equitable geographic distribution of grants among States, and among urban and rural areas; and (2) give preference to recipients who will provide services in schools with the highest adolescent birth rate and the highest concentrations of low-income students and potential dropouts. Requires that Federal funds for such programs be supplementary to State and local funds, and that such programs provide services which are in addition to, rather than in substitution for, comparable services previously provided without Federal assistance. Sets the maximum Federal share of assistance to a center at 100 percent in the first year, 75 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third and any subsequent year of assistance. Sets forth annual reporting requirements for grant recipients. Directs the Secretary of HHS, after the second year of such assistance, to provide for an independent evaluation of a representative sample of such programs. Defines comprehensive health care services to include: (1) primary and preventive health services, including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care; (2) pregnancy testing and maternity counseling; (3) nutrition counseling and referral; (4) screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; (5) appropriate pediatric care; (6) pediatric services for infants born to adolescents; (7) mental health services and referral; (8) family planning services; (9) dental services and referral; and (10) such other services as the Secretary of HHS provides by regulation. Defines child care services,for purposes of this part, as services that: (1) are provided by a school-based or community-based child care organization (2) at a minimum include the provision of child care services to any child of an adolescent parent from birth through age 30 months; and (3) meet applicable State licensing standards. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for the grants program for school-located comprehensive health service centers under this part. Part D: Child Care Expenses for AFDC Recipients - Amends Social Security Act provisions relating to aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) to allow an increased amount of child care expenses to be taken into consideration in determinations of AFDC eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1985
School Excellence and Reform Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to make payments for programs of: (1) general improvement and excellence in education; and (2) reform and equity in education. Sets forth (after reserving specified amounts for certain U.S. territories and possessions) formulas for State and local allocation of payments for general improvement and excellence in education. Provides, under such local allocation formula, for certain increases in the amount of such payments on the basis of numbers of children eligible to be counted for purposes of special needs funding under specified provisions of subpart 1 (Basic Grants), part A (Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) of title I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Sets forth (after reserving specified amounts for payments to certain U.S. territories and possessions) formulas for State and local allocation for reform and equity in education. Provides, under such State allocation formula, for certain increases in payments based on numbers of children eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding. Authorizes the State educational agency to establish the relative weights of factors under such local allocation formula, but requires that such formula be composed of only the following factors: (1) the number of children aged five to 17, inclusive, who are eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding; (2) the graduation rate; (3) the absentee rate; and (4) the number of low-achieving students. Permits those general improvement and excellence funds which are allocated to local educational agencies to be used for: (1) pursuit of general educational excellence and improvement of instruction in mathematics, the sciences, communications skills, foreign languages, and technology; and (2) where necessary, for guidance and counseling. Permits those reform and equity funds which are retained by a State under specified provisions of this Act to be used to administer and carry out categorical programs and projects. Permits those reform and equity funds which are allocated to local educational agencies (LEAs) to be used for the development, expansion, or improvement of any of the following categorical programs and projects: (1) early childhood education; (2) school day care; (3) in-service teacher training; (4) dropout prevention; (5) effective schools; and (6) improvement of secondary schools basic skills instruction. Requires State applications for allocations of general improvement and excellence payments and reform and equity payments for any fiscal year under this Act to: (1) meet specified requirements under the General Education Provisions Act; and (2) in the case of reform and equity payment allocations, describe the intended use of funds to be retained by the State to enhance State reform efforts. Allows a local educational agency, in any fiscal year, to submit a single application for an allocation of general improvement and excellence funds or an allocation of reform and equity funds, or both. Permits two or more local educational agencies that propose to conduct joint programs and projects from funds for general improvement and excellence to file such application as a consortium or other combination. Prohibits a local educational agency from applying for an allocation of reform and equity funds unless the total number of children age five to 17, inclusive, in the schools of such agency who are eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding exceeds the lesser of 5,000 or 20 percent of the total enrollment of such schools. Requires local educational agencies, in order to receive either general improvement and excellence or reform and equity allocations, to have on file with the State educational agency an application which includes description of the programs and projects to be funded and a plan for the improvement of the selected educational areas covered by such programs and projects. Requires such local educational agency or consortium applications, or application renewals, to also contain assurances that: (1) the programs and projects are designed and implemented in consultation with the parents and classroom teachers of the children to be served; (2) the funds received under this Act will supplement and not supplant non-Federal funding; and (3) the local educational agency will comply with specified maintenance of effort requirements which the State educational agency must enforce. Requires each local educational agency receiving an allocation under this Act for any fiscal year to submit to the State educational agency evidence of progress in particular areas for which funds were expended or evidence of general improvement in the educational system, such as: (1) reductions in, or maintenance of acceptable levels of, absenteeism, discipline problems, and dropouts at the secondary level; (2) more instructional time; and (3) smaller class size. Authorizes the State educational agency, at the State's discretion, to conduct audits on a sampling basis to verify the accuracy of such submissions. Terminates a local educational agency's eligibility to obtain an allocation under this Act for more than three fiscal years, unless the evidence submitted demonstrates progress as verified by the State. Authorizes the Secretary, from specified amounts reserved from reform and equity funds, to make business involvement matching grants to local educational agencies. Sets the maximum amount of any such grant at 50 percent of the fair market value of any donation by local business concerns to the local educational agency for the conduct of programs and projects under this Act. Allows such donations to be in cash or in kind, and to consist of equipment, the services of business personnel, or training provided to the local educational agency.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Child Abuse Reporting and Clearinghouse Improvements Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to clarify the intent of certain confidentiality provisions to provide that such provisions do not supersede any State or local reporting requirements of suspected child abuse. Modifies the classification system used by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include a category for statistics for offenses involving child abuse (including sexual abuse). Requires the Attorney General to report to the Congress within 90 days on whether such modification has been made, or, if not, when it will be made. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in coordination with the Department of Justice to compile, analyze, publish, and disseminate to each State information on effective programs in the prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. Directs the Center to develop model training materials for law enforcement, legal, judicial, and child welfare personnel to deal with child sexual abuse victims and to support research projects to identify improvements in the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit elderly or disabled food stamp recipients to use food stamps at restaurants (currently limited to private establishments that contract with the State agency and provide concession-price meals). Permits recipients who are unable to purchase and prepare their own meals to be considered as a separate household regardless of the income level of the caretaker family. Allows an elderly or disabled recipient to deduct as a medical expense the excess costs of a physician-advised special diet. Makes supplemental security income and aid to families with dependent children recipients categorically eligible for food stamps. Makes the monthly medical expense threshold the lesser of $35 or five percent of gross income (currently $35 a month). Raises financial resource ceilings from: (1) $1500 to $2250 for nonelderly households; and (2) $3000 to $3500 for elderly households. Authorizes recipients to maintain separate burial funds of up to $1500. Requires (50 percent reimbursed) outreach programs for the elderly and disabled. Provides for food stamp program and application information to be available at Social Security Administration offices.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Reproductive Health Equity Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Peace Corps Act, the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, and other Federal laws covering armed forces personnel and dependents and Federal employees' health benefits to provide that services related to abortion be made available in the same manner as are other pregnancy-related services under federally funded programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal study committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires funding Federal agencies to revoke Federal support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an institutional animal committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000316_200.jpg)