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United States · Official source
5,601 records where Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate September 21, 1986, as Ethnic American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates the week beginning on November 10, 1985, as National Blood Pressure Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates the Week of October 6 through October 12, 1985, as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates May 1986 as Public Awareness of the Hearing Impaired Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the purchase, lease, or acquisition of control in any manner of a substantial portion of an air carrier by the following persons: (1) any air carrier which is a debtor; (2) any person who is a debtor and controls an air carrier; (3) any person controlling an air carrier which is a debtor; or (4) any person who is a debtor and is substantially engaged in the business of aeronautics.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Consumer Products Energy Efficiency Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that the labeling rules regarding consumer product energy efficiency standards shall require disclosure of such standards at the point of sale and in any advertising of the product. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) publish and make available comparative guides of the energy efficiency and annual operating cost of certain consumer products; (2) prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products; (3) include in the Secretary's annual report on consumer product energy efficiency standards the percentage of covered products or components which are imported. Requires the Secretary, before determining whether a standard is economically justified, to weigh its effect on domestic production, reduction of unemployment, electric utilities, and the human environment. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products if it is determined that improvement of 20 percent or more is feasible. Delineates the criteria to be considered by the Secretary in determining whether a performance-related feature justifies the establishment of either a higher or a lower energy efficiency standard. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue energy efficiency improvement guidelines for each of the following five years if no standard for a covered consumer product is prescribed; (2) monitor the improvements in efficiency; and (3) prescribe an energy efficiency standard whenever a certain type of consumer product type fails for three consecutive years to achieve at least half of the improvement under such guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should retain the current corporate average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles.
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 · 25 June 1985
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to consider as overpayments the payments made to a deceased beneficiary that are received by an entitled surviving beneficiary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Terminates the provisional listing of specified food, drug, and cosmetic color dyes under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Designates November 1, 1985, as National Philanthropy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1985
Financial Bribery and Fraud Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to bribery. Provides that any person who knowingly offers or gives anything of value to an officer, employee, agent, or attorney of a national credit institution with the intent to influence official action or to induce a violation of a legal or fiduciary duty shall be fined not more than $250,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years or both ($1,000,000 if the offender is an entity other than an individual), if the value of the thing offered is greater than $250. Provides for a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year or both ($250,000 if the offender is an entity other than an individual) in all other cases. Prohibits any person from soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept anything of value for the above purposes. Applies the same penalties to such offenses. Modifies current law regarding graft in financial operations to set forth penalties for anyone who knowingly offers or gives anything of pecuniary value to any person with the intent to reward such person for an official duty taken, or any legal or fiduciary duty violated by such person as an officer, employee, agent, or attorney for a national credit institution. Prohibits any such person from soliciting or accepting such a payment. Provides for a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than three years or both ($1,000,000 if the offender is an entity other than an individual) if the value of the thing offered is greater than $250. Provides for a fine of $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both ($250,000 if the offender is other than an individual) in all other cases. Defines "national credit institution" to include federally-insured banks, credit unions, Federal home loan banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, small business investment companies, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies.
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 · 21 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that proposals to repeal provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which allow taxpayers to make designations of payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund should not be enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Designates the week beginning October 6, 1985, as National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Designates Saturday, April 5, 1986, as International Worker Solidarity Day.
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 · 18 June 1985
Fairness for Adopting Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the amount of the income tax deduction for the legal adoption of a child by a taxpayer to not exceed $5,000 ($7,000 in the case of an international adoption). Reduces the amount of the deduction for taxpayers whose taxable income exceeds $60,000. Expands such deduction to include all reasonable and necessary expenses which are directly related to a legal adoption of a child (current law restricts expenses to those incurred in the adoption of a child with special needs), if such adoption has been arranged by a State or local agency, a nonprofit agency, or through a private placement which does not violate a Federal or State law. Disallows such deduction for expenses of adoption by an individual of a child who is a child of such individual's spouse. Disallows such deduction for expenses in connection with artificial insemination, embryo transplantation, in vitro fertilization, or surrogate parenthood. Disallows such deduction for expenses incurred for travel outside the United States, unless such travel is required as a condition of the child's adoption, to assess the health and status of the child, or to escort the child back to the United States. Excludes from an employee's gross income any amounts paid on his behalf by an employer pursuant to an adoption assistance program. Establishes dollar amount and income amount limitations on such exclusion.
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 · 17 June 1985
Designates the square dance as the national folk dance for 1985 and 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Designates August 1985 as Cajun Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that procurement of the new U.S. weather radar system, NEXRAD, continue on schedule and according to the established minimum requirements agreed to by the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 12 June 1985
Atomic Energy Accountability Act - Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold any meeting in accordance with specified regulations. Requires the Commission to maintain a complete transcript (or other recording) to fully record the proceedings of any closed meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Designates the month of November 1985 as National Diabetes Month.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Consumer Lease and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to add Title X, Consumer Lease and Rental Purchase Act. Sets forth findings, purposes, and definitions. Exempts from coverage under this Act: (1) commercial leases and rental purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or those made with government agencies, instrumentalities, or organizations; and (2) safe deposit box leases. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Requires the lessor to disclose in a consumer lease concerning personal property certain specified information, including the total initial payments to the lessor and the total of scheduled payments. Sets forth substantive rights that limit the consumer's liability at early termination or at the end of the lease term. Allows the lessor to base the consumer's liability on the anticipated residual value of the leased property. Presumes the anticipated residual value to be unreasonable, and uncollectable, when it exceeds the actual residual value by more than three times the average payment allocable to a month. Requires a lessor to disclose in a rental purchase agreement specified information, including the amount and timing of payments and a statement as to whether the property is new or used. States that a renegotiation is a new lease or agreement requiring new disclosures. Specifies four events which are not renegotiations. Exempts from the disclosure requirements any extension of a consumer lease or a rental purchase agreement. Requires a recalculation of anticipated residual value of leased property where a consumer lease is extended for more than one month beyond the end of the lease term. Specifies those items which must be contained in an advertisement for a consumer lease or a rental purchase agreement. Grants the Federal Trade Commission primary but not exclusive enforcement authority under this Act. Specifies civil penalties for the failure of a lessor to comply with these provisions. Sets forth the defense available to a lessor in a civil suit. Provides for the liability of assignees. Imposes a fine or prison term for willful and knowing violations of these provisions. Sets forth the relationship of these provisions and State laws. Provides that the laws of a State are preempted by this Act only to the extent that a person is unable to comply with them without violating a provision of this title. Exempts the United States Government, States, and their agencies from civil or criminal penalties under these provisions. Requires an annual report to the Congress concerning the administration of these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to revise provisions relating to terminations of single-employer plans and reversions to employers resulting from such terminations. Prohibits mergers and consolidations of pension plans and transfers of plan assets or liabilities if any act or failure to act in accomplishing the merger, consolidation, or transfer violates the fiduciary duty of the employer under specified provisions (which provide that the assets of a plan shall never inure to the benefit of any employer and shall be held for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable administrative expenses of the plan). Sets forth provisions for fiduciary responsibility: (1) for meeting specified requirements relating to distribution of residual assets upon termination of a single-employer plan; and (2) in connection with related plans following single-employer plan terminations. Makes it unlawful for any individual who is a party in interest, as described under specified provisions, in connection with a single-employer plan to exert undue influence on or cause a material misrepresentation to a plan fiduciary, with the intent to initiate or facilitate a plan termination in order to entrench or otherwise protect the status of such individual. Authorizes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation) to assess a civil penalty against any person who commits such a violation. Limits the maximum amount of such penalty to five percent of the amount of any distribution from the plan to the employer pursuant to specified provisions. Makes such person also personally liable to make good to any aggrieved participant or beneficiary their losses resulting from such violation. Makes liability for any such violation joint and several. Authorizes the Corporation to seek: (1) injunctions against any act or practice constituting such a violation; or (2) other appropriate equitable relief to redress such violations or to enforce such requirements. Places limitations on distributions of residual assets to employers after single-employer plan terminations. Provides that those residual assets of the plan which are attributable to employee contributions shall be equitably distributed to the employees who made such contributions (or their beneficiaries) in accordance with their rate of contributions, in a specified manner. Provides that the remaining residual assets be available for distribution as follows: (1) 50 percent to participants and beneficiaries as compensation for unpaid constructive cost-of-living increases; and (2) 50 percent to participants who are within five years of normal retirement age under the plan. Provides for adjustments to the amounts of residual assets distributable to participants and beneficiaries through: (1) proration of available assets; (2) reallocation of excess available assets; and (3) adjustment to ensure equitable distribution. Provides that, only after all of the above requirements for distribution of residual assets to participants and beneficiaries have been met, any remaining residual assets shall be distributed to the employer if: (1) such distribution does not contravene any applicable Federal or State law; and (2) the plan has, since its establishment, provided explicitly for such a distribution in these circumstances. Gives plans in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 60 days after such date to contain such an explicit provision. Requires such plans to notify in writing each employee or retiree who qualifies as an interested party of the proposed plan amendment incorporating such provision at least 30 days before its adoption. Sets forth a special rule for distributions to employers in cases of transfers of coverage to other plans. Requires that any other residual assets of the plan, which remain after the above requirements for distribution to participants and beneficiaries are met and which are not distributable to employers because of the above requirements, be distributed to participants and beneficiaries in a specified manner. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations for such distributions of residual assets, including provision of consideration of administrative costs to the plan. Authorizes the Corporation to waive any such requirements, individually or by class, upon its determination that such administrative costs reader the distribution impracticable. Provides for increased availability to employers of residual assets upon certification of business necessity. Provides that a plan termination is a business necessity if it meets the requirements of: (1) a special rule for certain terminations incident to the sale of a business for fair value to an unrelated party; or (2) certain distress requirements. Provides that such distress requirements are met if the plan termination meets the conditions set forth in at least one of the following categories: (1) recent funding waivers; (2) liquidation in bankruptcy proceedings; (3) inability to pay debts and continue in business; and (4) unreasonably burdensome pension costs caused by a declining workforce (but not in the case of substantial layoffs). Precludes a business necessity determination: (1) where the primary purpose is to finance corporate take-overs; or (2) in the case of recently established plans, i.e. plans which have not completed five years. Revises ERISA provisions relating to the termination of single-employer plans to require 60 days' advance written notice to the plan participants and their beneficiaries before the plan administrator files a notice with the Corporation that the plan is to be terminated on a proposed date. Revises IRC provisions relating to plan qualification to set forth a five-year disqualification rule for replacement plans where plan termination is not a business necessity. Makes exceptions to such rule for derivative or successor plans which meet certain conditions. Places various limitations on the availability, after various types of employer reversions (i.e. employer acceptance of residual assets of a terminated plan pursuant to various requirements of this Act), of: (1) funding waivers for replacement plans; and (2) extensions of amortization periods for comparable plans. Requires faster funding for replacement plans after employer reversions. Provides that an alternative minimum funding standard is not available while such plans are subject to such faster funding requirement. Revises IRC provisions (relating to excise taxes in connection with qualified pension, etc., plans) to add an excise tax on reversions to employers upon termination of single-employer plans. Requires the employer to pay such tax in the amount of ten percent of the fair market value of the residual assets so distributed to the employer. Revises ERISA requirements relating to employer securities acquired or held by plans. Provides that, by specified dates and under certain conditions, a plan may not hold: (1) any employer security which is not qualifying employer stock; or (2) any qualifying employer stock to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of employer securities held by the plan exceeds five percent (currently ten percent) of the plan's assets. Provides for regulations requiring plans to divest themselves of 50 percent of their holdings of employer securities and employer real property by a specified deadline (in order to comply with the five percent limitation). Defines "qualifying employer stock" as an employer security which: (1) is stock in the employer; (2) does not constitute, and is not acquired subject to, any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness; and (3) is not subject to any restriction on marketability or voting power applicable by reason of its acquisition by a plan. Directs the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries to conduct a study of the reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods, for each of the various types of pension plans, which are appropriate for use by enrolled actuaries and others under ERISA and IRC in determining the actuarial status and funding requirements of such plans. Requires the Joint Board, within two years after enactment of this Act, to: (1) complete such study and report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees; and (2) prescribe by regulation appropriate procedures for determining, for each type of plan, such appropriate actuarial assumptions and methods; and (3) determine such actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of pension plan in accordance with such procedures and publish such assumptions and methods in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Joint Board to: (1) revise by regulation the prescribed procedures; and (2) publish revised reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of plan. Requires the termination of enrollment of enrolled actuaries if they fail to use such prescribed assumptions and methods. Set forth requirements relating to the voting rights of participants in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to which assets are transferred upon plan termination, under IRC tax qualification requirements and under ERISA transaction rules applicable irrespective of tax qualification status. Allows such transfer of assets only if: (1) the transfer is approved in advance in writing by a majority of the participants in the terminated plan; (2) the assets allocated to each participant are immediately deposited to an account under the ESOP for such participant; and (3) the voting ratio under the ESOP of each participant is not less than the participant's asset ratio under the plan. Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable (except as otherwise provided in this Act) to pension plan terminations with respect to which notices are filed with the Corporation, pursuant to specified ERISA provisions, on or after January 1, 1984. Treats any such notice filed before the date of the enactment of this Act as filed on such date for purposes of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Older Workers' Pension Rights Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Comprehensive Health Care Improvement Act of 1985 - Title I: Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Part A: Definitions and Standards for Qualified Plans - Sets forth definitions used in this title. Defines a "plan of health coverage" as any plan or combination of plans, including combinations of self-insurance, individual accident and health insurance policies, group accident and health insurance policies, coverage under a nonprofit health service plan, or coverage under a health maintenance organization (HMO) subscriber contract. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for qualified plans and procedures for the review and certification of plans of health coverage as qualified plans. Provides that a plan shall be certified as an "A" qualified plan if it meets any applicable State requirements with respect to accident and health insurance plans or nonprofit health service plans, and meets or exceeds the following minimum standards: (1) the minimum benefits for a covered individual are equal to at least 80 percent of the covered expenses in excess of an annual deductible not exceeding $150.00 per person; (2) the coverage includes a limitation of $3,000 per person on total annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered expenses; (3) the coverage is subject to a maximum life-time benefit of not less than $250,000 for covered expenses; and (4) the $3,000 limitation (above) and the $250,000 benefit limit (above) are not subject to change or substitution by use of an actuarially equivalent benefit. States that covered expenses are the usual and customary charges of a physician or chiropractor. Defines covered services as the following services and articles: (1) hospital services; (2) professional services for the diagnosis or treatment of injuries, illnesses, or conditions (other than outpatient mental or dental care) which are rendered by a physician or at a physician's direction; (3) drugs requiring a physician's prescription; (4) services of a nursing home for not more than 120 days a year if the services would qualify as reimbursable services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (5) services of a home health agency if the services would qualify as reimbursable services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; (6) use of radium or other radioactive materials; (7) oxygen; (8) anesthetics; (9) prostheses, other than dental; (10) rental or purchase, as appropriate, of durable medical equipment, but not including eyeglasses and hearing aids; (11) diagnostic X-rays and laboratory tests; (12) oral surgery for partially or completely unerupted impacted teeth, for a tooth root without the extraction of the entire tooth, or for the gums and tissues of the mouth when not performed in connection with the extraction or repair of teeth; (13) services of a physical therapist; (14) transportation provided by a licensed ambulance service to the nearest facility qualified to treat the condition; (15) well baby care; (16) physicians' services for routine checkups and annual physicals when prescribed by a physician; (17) multiphasic screening and other diagnostic testing, within such reasonable limits on the reimbursement required for such services as the Secretary shall prescribe; (18) a second opinion from a physician on all surgical procedures expected to cost a total of $500 or more in physician, laboratory, and hospital fees, but the coverage need not include the repetition of any diagnostic tests for such an opinion; and (19) professional services of a chiropractor. Excludes from coverage: (1) any charge for which benefits are payable under any other type of insurance or compensation; (2) cosmetic surgery; (3) custodial or domiciliary care not qualifying under Medicare; (4) private rooms, except if medically necessary; (5) any part of any charge exceeding the locally prevailing charge; and (6) charges for services rendered by an individual or institution which are not within the individual's or institution's authorized scope of practice. Deems HMOs to be providing an "A" qualified plan. Certifies as a "B" qualified plan a plan which meets the requirements of an "A" plan, except that the annual deductible does not exceed $500 per person. Certifies a plan as a "C" plan if it meets the requirements of an "A" plan, except that the annual deductible does not exceed $1,000 per person. Provides that a plan which provides benefits to persons over age 65 shall be certified as a qualified Medicare supplement plan if it limits annual out-of-pocket expenses to a maximum of $1,000 per person, is designed to complement or supplement Medicare, and provide coverage: (1) of 50 percent of the required Medicare deductibles and copayments; (2) of 80 percent of charges for covered services of an "A" qualified plan not paid under Medicare; and (3) which is not subject to a maximum lifetime benefit of less than $100,000. Directs the Secretary, to the extent feasible, to provide for the review and certification by the insurance commissioner of each State of qualified plans to be offered in the State if the Secretary is provided assurances that such review and certification will comply with the requirements of this Act. States that the sale of plans are in and affect interstate commerce and that in order to properly regulate such sales, it is necessary to regulate such sales in intrastate, as well as interstate, commerce. Requires every plan of health coverage sold to be labelled as "qualified" or "nonqualified" on the front of the policy. Part B: Required Offering of Certain Qualified Plans - Requires each employer employing an average of ten or more employees annually to make available a plan or combination of plans of health coverage which: (1) has been certified as an "A," "B," or supplemental plan; (2) is a qualified convertible plan; and (3) permits coverage of an employee's spouse and children. Defines a "qualified convertible plan" as a plan of health coverage which: (1) permits each enrolled individual to convert the plan to an individual qualified plan without the addition of underwriting restrictions if, for any reason, the individual leaves the group; and (2) permits, in the case of the death of the individual in whose name the contract was issued, other individuals covered under the plan to continue coverage without the addition of underwriting restrictions. Sets forth civil penalties for noncompliance with this part. Excludes from the term "employer," for purposes of this part, a State or any political subdivision of a State. Part C: Offering of Comprehensive Health Insurance and Qualified Medicare Supplement Plans by States - Sets forth definitions used in this part. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the establishment and operation of a comprehensive health association in each State and a comprehensive health plan in each State, in accordance with this part of this Act. Defines a "comprehensive health insurance plan" to mean policies of insurance and a contracts of HMO coverage offered by an association through the writing carrier in the State. Defines the "writing carrier" as the insurers and HMOs approved to administer the comprehensive health insurance plan. Provides that each State commission of insurance, consistent with any regulations the Secretary may promulgate: (1) may formulate general policies to advance the purposes of this title; (2) shall supervise the creation of the State comprehensive health association; (3) shall approve the selection of the writing carrier by the association in the State and approve the association's contract with the writing carrier, including the State plan coverage and premiums to be charged; (4) may appoint advisory committees with respect to implementation of this part; (5) shall conduct periodic audits to assure the general accuracy of the financial data submitted by the writing carrier and the association in the State; (6) shall contract with the Federal Government and may contract with any other unit of government to ensure coordination of the State plan of the association with other governmental assistance programs; (7) may undertake, directly or through contracts with other persons, studies or demonstration programs to develop awareness of the benefits provided under this Act, so that residents of the State may best avail themselves of the health care benefits provided hereunder; (8) may contract with insurers and others for administrative services; and (9) may adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules as reasonably necessary to carry out and make effective the provisions and purposes of this part. Requires each State to provide for the establishment of a comprehensive health association with membership consisting of all insurers, self-insurers, fraternal beneficiary associations, and HMOs authorized or licensed to do business in the State. Exempts each association from State taxation. Provides for a board of directors of each association. Requires that all members of an association: (1) maintain their membership in the association as a condition of doing accident and health insurance, self-insurance, or HMO business in the State; and (2) enter into a reinsurance contract with the association as required by this part. Exempts members of an association, in the performance of their duties as members, from Federal and State antitrust laws. Authorizes each association to provide for the reinsuring of risks incurred as a result of issuing qualified plans by members of the association. Requires each member which elects to reinsure its risks to determine the categories of coverage it elects to reinsure in the association. Provides that the categories consist of: (1) individual qualified plans, excluding group conversions; (2) group conversions; (3) group qualified plans with fewer than 50 employees or members; and (4) major medical coverage. Requires each association through its comprehensive health insurance plan to offer: (1) policies which provide the benefits of an "A," "B," and "C" qualified plans and of a qualified Medicare supplement plan; and (2) HMO contracts in those areas of the State where an HMO has agreed to make the coverage available and has been selected as a writing carrier. Requires the comprehensive health insurance plan for a State to be open for enrollment by individuals residing in the State, who can enroll by submitting a certificate of eligibility to the writing carrier which certifies the applicant's name, address, age, length of residence, dependents to be insured, and type of coverage desired. Provides that upon certification the individual can enroll in a State's comprehensive health insurance plan by payment of the State plan premium to the writing carrier. Requires each member of an association to share the claims expenses for approved plans and the operating and administrative expenses incurred by the association, pursuant to the terms of the individual reinsurance contracts executed by the association with each member. Sets forth a method to determine each member's share of expenses. Authorizes any member of an association in a State to submit for approval to the State commissioner the policies of accident and health insurance or the HMO contracts which are being proposed to serve in the comprehensive health insurance plan. Authorizes the association to select approved policies and a contract to be the comprehensive health insurance plan based upon the member's proven ability to handle large group accident and health insurance cases, claims paying capacity, and estimate of total charges for plan administration. Requires each writing carrier to: (1) perform all required administrative and claims payment functions; and (2) report monthly to the association and State commissioner. Exempts premiums received by a writing carrier for the comprehensive health insurance plan from State taxation. Requires each association in a State to disseminate information to State residents regarding the existence of the comprehensive health insurance plan and the means of enrollment. Requires each writing carrier to pay an agent's referral fee, in an amount to be determined by the association, to each insurance agent referring an applicant to the State comprehensive health insurance plan, if the application is accepted. Title II: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Low-Income Individuals to Purchase Comprehensive Health Insurance - Comprehensive Health Insurance Assistance Act of 1983 - Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Low-Income Individuals in the Purchase of Comprehensive Health Insurance." Authorizes appropriations under title XXI to enable each State to provide assistance to low-income individuals in the purchase of comprehensive health insurance under title XXI. Specifies the amount authorized for each fiscal year. Requires the sums made available under this title to be used to make payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary, State plans for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to assistance under the plan to low-income individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $1.25 and the State's population. Requires a State plan for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals, in order to be approved by the Secretary, to: (1) be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State; (2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to at least 40 percent of the non-Federal share of the expenditures under the plan with respect to which payments that are authorized by title XXI, and provide for financial participation by the State equal to all of such non-Federal share or provide for distribution of funds from Federal or State sources, for carrying out the State plan on an equalization or other basis which will assure that the lack of adequate funds from local sources will not result in a lowering of assistance; (3) provide for the designation of an appropriate State agency to administer the plan; (4) prevent the disclosure of information for purposes not connected with the plan; (5) provide for reports to the Secretary; (6) make assistance available to low-income individuals to purchase plans; (7) establish reasonable standards for determining eligibility for and the extent of assistance; (8) make available the opportunity to apply for assistance to any individual; and (9) grant an opportunity for a fair hearing before a State agency to any individual whose claim for assistance under the plan is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness. Prohibits payments to a State if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds that a State's plan is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for false statements, misrepresentations, concealments, and conversions made in connection with the application for, sale of, or receipt of benefits under a plan. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a State's Medicaid plan which provides that, in determining the income and resources of a married couple where one spouse is in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility, there may be disregarded from income and resources such portion thereof as the State determines. Title III: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Individuals Who Incur Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care - Catastrophic Health Care Expenses Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Individuals Incurring Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care." Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year to enable each State to furnish medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Requires a State to have submitted and have approved by the Secretary a plan for medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to payments made under the plan to eligible individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $0.25 and the States' population. Prohibits payment with respect to expenses: (1) if the charges on which the expenses are based are not reasonable; (2) for inpatient hospital services if the charge exceeds the hospital's customary charge; (3) for health services which were not medically necessary; (4) for services provided by a provider not in compliance with appropriate regulations; (5) for services provided by a hospital or skilled nursing facility if the appropriate utilization review plan is not in effect; or (6) for which a private insurer would be obligated but for a provision in its contract which limits its obligation if an individual is covered under this title. Declares that a State plan for medical assistance for catastrophic illness, in order to be approved by the Secretary, shall: (1) be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State; (2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to at least 40 percent of the non-Federal share of the expenditures under the plan with respect to authorized payments under title XXII, and provide for financial participation by the State equal to all of such non-Federal share or provide for distribution of funds from Federal or State sources, for carrying out the State plan on an equalization or other basis which will assure that the lack of adequate funds from local sources will not result in a lowering of assistance; (3) provide for the designation of an appropriate State agency to administer the plan; (4) prevent the disclosure of information for purposes not connected with the plan; (5) provide for reports to the Secretary; (6) provide for paying at least 90 percent of all qualified expenses annually of an eligible individual and the individual's dependents in excess of the greater of $2,500 (or a lower amount which the State may establish) or the sum of 30 percent of household income under $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages, or such higher incomes, as the State may establish); (7) provide for paying 100 percent of all qualified nursing home expenses of an eligible individual and the individual's dependents in excess of 20 percent of household income (or such lower percentage as the State may establish); (8) prohibit charging any premiums, copayments, or deductibles, except as provided above; (9) provide safeguards against excessive charges and the unnecessary utilization of services; (10) establish reasonable standards for determining eligibility for and the extent of assistance; (11) make available the opportunity to apply for assistance to any individual; (12) grant an opportunity to apply before a State agency to any individual whose claim for assistance under the plan is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness; (13) seek reimbursement from any legally liable third party; and (14) provide that payment for services shall be made only to providers and beneficiaries. Prohibits payments to a State if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds that a State's plan is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth definitions used in this title. Defines an "eligible individual" as an individual who incurs an obligation to pay in a consecutive 12-month period: (1) expenses (including dependent's expenses) exceeding the greater of $2,500 (or such lower amount as the State may establish) or 30 percent of household income up to $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages of such incomes, or of such higher incomes as the State may establish); or (2) nursing home expenses exceeding 20 percent (or such lower percentage as the State may establish) of household income. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for false statements, misrepresentations, concealments, and conversions made in connection with the application for or right to the assistance provided under this title.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Expresses the Senate's commendation of the Soil Conservation Service on its 50th anniversary, and the Senate's commitment to vigorous soil and water conservation efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Consumer Banking Act of 1985 - Title I: Expedited Funds Availability Act - Expedited Funds Availability Act - Sets forth time standards for the availability of funds deposited by check in an account of a depository institution, ranging from: (1) immediate availability of funds deposited by a check endorsed only by the person to whom it is issued and drawn on the Treasury or a State or local government; to (2) availability on the third business day following the day funds are deposited by a check drawn on an institution not in the same Federal Reserve district as the receiving institution. Makes exceptions for any check which is drawn on an institution located outside of the United States, deposited into an account other than the account of the payee, or deposited as the initial account deposit or deposited within 30 days of such initial deposit. Allows the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to make other exceptions for checks which present a high risk of serious loss to the receiving institution. Directs the Board to: (1) consider specified proposals for improving the check collection system; and (2) report to the Congress annually on steps it has taken to improve the check clearing process. Permits a State to require, or an institution to establish, shorter time periods for fund availability. Requires each institution to meet specified disclosure requirements concerning its general policy on the availability for withdrawal of funds deposited by check. Authorizes the Board to publish model disclosure forms and clauses for common transactions. Sets forth limits for the civil liability of an institution which fails to comply with requirements imposed pursuant to this title. Title II: Consumer Access to Depository Institutions - Consumer Access to Depository Institutions Act - Requires every depository institution to make available at all offices where transaction accounts are offered a basic consumer checking account which: (1) a consumer may open with an initial deposit of not more than $25; (2) may not require maintenance of a minimum balance; (3) permits up to eight withdrawals per month by check and five other monthly withdrawals without charge, with limited charges for additional withdrawals or overdrafts; and (4) imposes no charge for account deposits, maintenance, inactivity, balance inquiries, or closure. Requires institutions to provide each consumer with a monthly statement for such an account, and to offer a consumer with such an account the same products or services offered to other consumers. Permits an institution to refuse to open any other transaction account for the holder of a basic consumer checking account. Prohibits an institution from requiring that a consumer have another account at that institution or a credit card before opening a basic consumer checking account, or from imposing any other requirement that would discriminate against low-income consumers. Requires each institution which cashes checks in the ordinary course of business to cash, free of charge, any government check presented by the payee if the payee is registered with the institution. Permits an institution to assess an individual a charge of not more than the actual cost of issuing such individual an identification card. Requires each institution to post a conspicuous notice informing potential account holders of the availability of such basic consumer checking accounts and check cashing services. Sets forth limits for the civil liability of an institution which fails to comply with requirements imposed pursuant to this title. Authorizes a court of competent jurisdiction, upon application by an aggrieved party, to grant necessary equitable and declaratory relief to enforce requirements under this title. Title III: Truth In Depositing Act - Truth In Depositing Act - Requires each depository institution to maintain a schedule of fees, charges, and terms and conditions applicable to each account it offers. Lists among the information to be included statements on: (1) minimum balances required to open or maintain an account (2) maintenance, transaction, overdraft, stop payment, balance inquiry, account closing, and inactive account charges; and (3) the rate of simple interest, deposit period, method of compounding interest, and the annual percentage yield. Requires interest to be computed on the average daily balance during the applicable period. Requires such schedule to be mailed to current account holders and provided to potential customers before an account is opened or a service rendered. Directs the Board to publish standard account schedule forms and clauses for disclosures. Requires an institution to disclose in any periodic account statement its method of determining minimum balances and the actual balance amount used for an account, if the amount of interest paid or charges assessed are affected by a minimum balance requirement. Specifies interest rate information which an institution must disclose in any account advertisement, including: (1) the rate of simple interest and the basis of compounding; (2) the annual percentage yield; (3) time or amount requirements; and (4) applicable fees and penalties. Prohibits an advertisement from referring to an account as free if there is a minimum balance requirement or if the account has any transaction or service limitations. Prohibits inaccurate or misleading advertisements. Sets forth limits for the civil liability of an institution which fails to comply with requirements imposed under this title. Provides for the judicial enforcement of this title. Title IV: Consumer Protection Preemption Act of 1985 - Consumer Protection Preemption Act of 1985 - Requires all federally-chartered depository institutions to comply with all State laws that do not directly conflict with Federal law, and to comply with a conflicting State law unless the Board determines that the State law does not provide greater consumer protection, better promote community reinvestment, or better insure against credit discrimination than Federal law. Excludes from the definition of "State law" any law the principal purpose of which is to ensure the general safety and soundness or the competitiveness of depository institutions. Authorizes the Board to propose a rule determining that a State law or class of State laws is preempted or temporarily preempted. Requires such proposal to be published for public comment in the Federal Register. Provides for the judicial review of such preemption and for judicial enforcement of required compliance with State laws. Title V: Adjustable Rate Mortgage Provisions - Adjustable Rate Mortgage Consumer Protection Act - Amends the National Housing Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require an institution which receives Federal net worth guarantees or assistance and which offers adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) on residential property to offer ARMs which: (1) limit the maximum percentage increase in the periodic payment to not more than two-thirds of the average percentage increase in wages for all U.S. workers for the applicable period; and (2) limit percentage increases in the loan balance during any period to not more than one-fifth of the average appreciation rate of homes in the United States, as measured by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Directs the Federal National Mortgage Association to offer to purchase such mortgages. Prohibits any federally-insured institution from making an ARM on a one- to four-family residence unless the ARM: (1) restricts increases in the actual or effective interest rate to not more than two percent annually and five percent overall; (2) provides that positive or negative changes in the index in excess of two percent shall be carried over to subsequent years for rate adjustments; and (3) prohibits the loan balance from increasing above the purchase price of the home. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor to provide to a borrower a detailed disclosure of the terms of an ARM used in a residential mortgage transaction. Includes among the information to be disclosed: (1) the payments and interest rates that would apply under a specified hypothetical situation with a statement that there is no limit on the mortgage interest rate; or (2) the maximum interest rate, maximum mortgage payment, and the earliest date such maximums could take effect during the first five years of the mortgage; and (3) a conspicuous indication of whether the disclosure constitutes a firm commitment, and if so, how long the commitment will be in effect. Specifies the information that a creditor must include in a written notice to a borrower preceding any change in the periodic payment of an ARM. Prohibits the disclosure of any information on annual percentage rates in connection with any ARM. Title VI: Financial Consumers' Association Act - Financial Consumers' Information and Representation Act - Authorizes the creation of a public purpose, democratically controlled, membership association of financial service consumers in each State where the lesser of one percent of the State's population or 50,000 persons sign a supporting petition. Requires the association to be a nonprofit, nongovernmental entity with the purpose of: (1) promoting the interest of consumers in, and informing consumers about, financial service matters; and (2) distributing association material to low- and moderate-income and minority financial service consumers. Grants an association the authority to: (1) represent the interests of consumers in financial service matters before regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, other forums, and financial service providers; (2) sue on behalf of its members for judicial relief in financial matters; and (3) conduct and assist research in financial service matters. Provides that an association shall be deemed to have an interest sufficient to obtain judicial review or enforcement of a regulatory action affecting the interests of financial service consumers. Prohibits the association from participating in any partisan political process. Authorizes an association to furnish enclosures to any federally insured financial institution doing business in the association's State for inclusion in any account statement mailing of such institution. Permits such an enclosure to describe the association or its activities, to provide membership procedures, or to survey consumers about financial service concerns. Requires an institution, at an association's request, to include such enclosures in up to four account statements per year mailed to each customer who is a resident of the association's State. Sets forth enclosure size and weight restrictions. Requires an association to reimburse an institution for enclosure handling and postage costs. Sets forth provisions concerning settling disputes between an association and an institution concerning such costs or the content of enclosures. Sets forth provisions governing the qualifications, eligibility standards, disclosure requirements, election, terms of office, removal, duties, and compensation of an association's board of directors. Directs the Governor of each State to appoint an interim board of directors which shall incorporate the association and manage its affairs until the first elected board of directors takes office. Prescribes a civil penalty for violations of this title by any financial institution or officer or employee thereof. Title VII: Community Reinvestment Act Amendments of 1985 - Community Reinvestment Act of 1985 - Repeals the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Directs a Federal financial supervisory agency, in examining an insured financial institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution. Requires such an assessment to be based on specified factors and to place special emphasis on the institution's performance in serving the credit needs of low- and moderate-income areas of the community. Provides that such an assessment shall extend to the records of an institution's holding company, if any, and such company's nondepository subsidiaries in meeting community credit needs. Directs an agency, upon completing an assessment, to prepare a written evaluation of, and assign a CRA rating ranging from #1-excellent to #5-poor to the institution's performance in meeting the credit needs of its community. Specifies requirements for a #1 or #2 rating, including publication of a preliminary evaluation and rating for public comment. Sets forth guidelines for consideration of such CRA ratings by a Federal financial regulator considering whether to grant an insured institution or a holding company with one or more insured subsidiaries approval for a Federal charter, Federal deposit insurance, establishment of a domestic branch, relocation of an office, a merger, a consolidation, or an acquisition with respect to a deposit facility. Requires any institution or holding company seeking such deposit facility approval to publish newspaper notice of such action and to provide for public comment on its performance in serving community credit needs. Directs each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to prepare and mail to any requesting person a weekly bulletin listing the regulated institutions which seek deposit facility approval and identifying the deposit facilities. Requires each insured institution to adopt, review annually, and make publicly available a Community Reinvestment Act Statement for each community delineated pursuant to regulations implementing this title. Requires that such Statement include the delination of the community and a list of the types of credit that the institution is prepared to extend within the community. Requires that an application to charter an insured institution include a delineation of the community to be served by the institution. Prohibits a Federal financial regulator from granting deposit facility approval on an interstate basis if the institution seeking approval: (1) is an insured institution or holding company assigned a CRA rating of less than #2 or an insured institution controlled by a holding company that controls any insured institution assigned a CRA rating of less than #2; or (2) has exhibited a pattern of acquiring or chartering institutions or acquiring or opening deposit facilities in a manner that tends to exclude low- and moderate-income areas. Requires a regulated financial institution with assets of $1,000,000,000 or more that seeks approval to acquire on an interstate basis an insured institution with total assets of $100,000,000 or more to submit to the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency a community reinvestment plan describing how the applicant plans to serve the credit needs of the broader community of the target institution. Prohibits a Federal regulator from approving such acquisition: (1) unless such plan contains specific commitments to serve community credit needs commensurate with the volume of deposits that the applicant would control; or (2) if the applicant has failed to vigorously implement any previous commitments. Conditions approval of the interstate acquisition of an insured institution with assets of $1,000,000,000 or more by any regulated financial institution on commitments by the acquiring institution that the target institution will annually disclose specified information on loans originated within its home State and within low- and moderate-income areas within its home State. Limits investment in real estate equity, otherwise permitted by Federal or State law, based on the CRA rating of the institution involved. Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) to separately establish a system of CRA rebates in order to reward insured institutions for excellent performance in serving the credit needs of their local communities. Requires such systems to provide for annual payments of rebates to insured institutions with #1 CRA ratings and annual collections of assessments from institutions with CRA ratings of #3, #4, or #5. Requires one-third of the interest paid by the Federal Reserve System on any insured institution reserves to be credited to a Supplemental CRA account. Directs the FDIC and FSLIC to use all funds credited to such account to pay Supplemental CRA rebates to insured institutions with #1 and #2 CRA ratings. Requires each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to include in its annual report to the Congress an outline of actions taken pursuant to this title. Title VIII: Equal Access to Financial Services Act - Equal Access to Financial Services Act - Prohibits any depository institution from adopting or maintaining policies, practices or standards that discriminate in the availability or terms of financial services unless such policies, practices, or standards are justified by proof that they are required by reason of safety and soundness or other business necessity. Sets forth limits for the civil liability of an institution which fails to comply with any requirement imposed pursuant to this title. Provides for the judicial enforcement of such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Recognizes the substantial contribution over the past 50 years of the Historic Sites Act to the identification and protection of the Nation's cultural heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Designates August 14, 1985, as Social Security Day and the week of August 11 through August 17, 1985, as Social Security Week. Authorizes and requests the President to commemorate August 14, 1985, as the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Designates the week beginning June 16, 1985, as National Sheriffs Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States, in its endeavor to help developing countries to preserve the health of environmental systems and to promote global peace and security, should maintain the level of its contribution to the United Nations Environment Program at no less than the amount of its 1973 contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact which provides for cooperation among the States of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin regarding the management of low-level radioactive waste.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require: (1) each State agency to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a statistically reliable sample of cases for purposes of quality control review; (2) the Secretary to analyze such information and notify the State agency of its error rate; and (3) the State agency to develop, submit to the Secretary, and implement a corrective action plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) waive the requirement of a corrective action plan where a State's error rate has been consistently below the "target" error rate; (2) establish corrective action plan criteria; (3) monitor the implementation of any such plans; and (4) reduce a State's federally funded share of administrative costs if its error rate exceeds "target" rates. Provides with regard to such financial sanctions that: (1) the Secretary may waive such sanctions based on a State's good faith effort to reduce its error rate; (2) sanctions shall be reduced by the amount of collections from allotments to ineligible households or from overissuances to eligible households; and (3) the Secretary waive such sanctions if a State spends the sanction amount on implementation of a corrective action plan. Sets (fiscal year) error rate tolerance levels at five percent adjusted by specified socio-economic factors. Imposes a one-year moratorium on sanctionable food stamp program errors, and a 90-day moratorium on administrative errors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of client errors and broader performance measures; and (2) report to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
College Athlete Education and Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the deduction for a charitable contribution to an institution of higher education for use in the athletic program of such institution or to any other organization for use in supporting the athletic program of such institution unless for the 5-calendar-year period ending with the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the contribution is made at least 75 percent of the scholarship athletes ceasing to be students at such school during such period receive a bachelor's degree after the completion of not more than five academic years.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Designates the week beginning July 27, 1986, as National Nuclear Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Recognizes Camp Fire, Incorporated for its 75 years of service to our Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Designates the week beginning May 18, 1986, as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Foreign Investment Disclosure and Reciprocity Act - Requires registration of an investment by a foreign person if the investment results in acquisition, ownership, or control by the foreign person of a cumulative interest of: (1) five percent or more in a U.S. person or in other property in the United States; (2) $10,000 or more in a bank deposit; or (3) $10,000 or more in U.S. securities. Prohibits a foreign person from making such an investment unless the foreign person first registers the investment with the Secretary of Commerce. Sets forth information to be provided in the registration, including a certification by the foreign person that it would be possible for the Federal Government, a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident to make an investment of the same type and size in the same industry in the country or countries where the owners of the foreign person are located. Requires foreign persons who, at the time of enactment of this Act, hold such investments in the United States to register those investments within 180 days and to include the date on which such investments were made. Declares that certification need not be made for such investments, but prohibits increasing the cumulative interest of such investments unless the foreign person makes such certification. Requires foreign persons to report certain information to the Secretary if they transfer interest in such investments. Requires a foreign persons who have investments in the United States to report certain information to the Secretary if another person acquires a cumulative interest of five percent or more in such foreign person. Requires registration if they have certain investments in the United States, by persons who become foreign persons and by foreign persons who become foreign persons of other countries. Requires foreign persons to give annual updates of their registration information to the Secretary. Sets forth the method of determining whether a person acquires indirectly a cumulative interest of five percent or more in another person. Authorizes a person who is unable to make the required certification to make an investment in the United States only if: (1) the President determines that the investment is in the national interest; (2) the President submits a report containing specified information on the investment and investor to the Congress; and (3) the proposed investment is approved by an enactment of the Congress. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to monitor compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and the President on: (1) the extent and effects of foreign investment in the United States; (2) the effectiveness and efficiency of the registration and reporting requirements of this Act; and (3) the progress in removing the restrictions imposed by foreign countries on investments made by U.S. persons in those countries. Directs the Secretary to compile an inventory of foreign investments in the United States which shall be available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Federal Pesticide Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require a person defined as a "certified applicator" to have undergone pesticide safety training. Requires pesticide ingredient statements to list inert as well as active ingredients. Eliminates from the definition of "misbranded" the provision relating to an unregistered pesticide manufactured in the United States solely for export. Defines "data gap" and "adverse reproductive effect" for purposes of this Act. Requires the registration of pesticides intended for export. Permits public access to pesticide application information before a final registration decision has been reached. Prohibits the registration of a pesticide having an adverse reproductive effect. Restricts the use of conditional registration. Requires public access to supporting data for any such registration. Repeals the interim administrative review provision which required a validated test or other significant evidence of adverse effect before initiation of a formal agency review. Establishes a timetable for the registration of pesticides which have not been reregistered since September 30, 1978, and which: (1) are used on food crops or remain as residues in potable ground water; (2) have significant data gaps; or (3) cause mutagenic effects. Requires specified additional data on inert ingredients. Prohibits registration of a pesticide containing an inert element which either by itself or in combination causes harmful environmental effects. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a comprehensive plan for evaluating inert ingredients. Subjects information concerning the toxicity of inert ingredients to specified disclosure provisions. Requires a registrant to disclose EPA information regarding any adverse effects (human or environmental) of a pesticide. (Currently the disclosure standard is unreasonable environmental effects.) Directs the Administrator to initiate a cancellation hearing if materially false, misleading, or inaccurate supporting information has been submitted on behalf of a pesticide registration or residue tolerance. Directs the Administrator to issue a notice of intent to cancel, or to hold a cancellation hearing, based upon a pesticide's substantial question of safety. Permits any member of the public to initiate a cancellation hearing. Revises cancellation hearing provisions, including: (1) giving the parties a right to participate; and (2) setting specific time limits for hearing dates and determinations. Prohibits the reregistration of canceled, suspended, or withdrawn pesticides under conditional registration, experimental use, or special local need categories unless: (1) there is no available alternative; (2) there is a threat of significant infestation damage; and (3) data is available supporting the pesticide's effectiveness against such infestation. Sets forth additional health and safety information for the Administrator to collect and make public regarding pesticide manufacturing plants. Subjects pesticide exporters to recordkeeping requirements under such Act. Provides for the disclosure of pesticide intermediary chemicals. Repeals the prohibition on disclosure of health and safety information to foreign or multinational producers. Requires commercial applicators to maintain pesticide spraying records. Requires specified activities to reduce pesticide drift. Prohibits the use in foreign countries of U.S.-submitted registration or licensing data. Makes it unlawful to: (1) fail to disclose findings of additional risk; and (2) violate EPA regulations. Repeals the provisions requiring Federal indemnification of holders of canceled or suspended pesticides. Provides a private right of action for violations of such Act. Prohibits the export of a pesticide whose U.S. registration has been canceled or withdrawn unless: (1) the exporter notifies the Administrator regarding quantity and destination; and (2) the Administrator has received a request for such pesticide from such country (after having provided such country with the appropriate data regarding the pesticide's cancellation). Prohibits the importation of agricultural commodities with detectable residues of U.S.-prohibited pesticides. Authorizes the Administrator to provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide research and regulatory programs. States that in exercising any authority under such Act, the Administrator shall not be preempting Department of Labor authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Places additional requirements on applications for special local needs registrations. Authorizes EPA to establish and enforce standards for indoor pesticide residues. Authorizes the Administrator to change pesticide use classifications or package labeling. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a worker health and safety program; (2) establish within EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs a separate administrative unit responsible for pesticide workers' health and safety; and (3) issue pesticide worker safety regulations. Directs the Administrator: (1) upon detection of pesticide groundwater contamination to notify the affected State and each registrant of such pesticide; and (2) to issue a notice of intent to cancel such pesticide's use registration unless the affected State acts to control further contamination or the registrant amends such use. Requires the imposition of registration fees sufficient to run the registration program. Protects employees from being dismissed or penalized for reporting violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate July 16, 1985, as National Atomic Veterans Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Designates June 12, 1985, as Anne Frank Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Defense Procurement Conflict of Interest Act - Prohibits a former officer or employee of the Department of Defense (DOD) or former retired member of the uniformed services from accepting compensation from a Government contractor for two years following the individual's separation from Government service if, during the two years preceding separation from service, such individual had significant responsibilities for a procurement function with respect to that Government contractor. Specifies penalties for violations of this prohibition. Requires defense contractors to include in defense contracts a provision stating that the contractor agrees not to compensate an individual who falls under such category. Specifies penalties for a contractor's violation of this requirement. Requires contractors subject to such a contract term to issue an annual report listing specified information concerning individuals who had significant responsibilities for a procurement function, left Government within the previous two years, and were compensated by that contractor after leaving Government service. Requires a copy of each such report to be sent to the Inspector General of DOD. Requires the Inspector General to assess such reports and report any possible violations to the Attorney General. Provides penalties for those contractors failing to file such reports. Requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to have access to such reports and to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning such reports. Excludes from application of these sections those contracts for an amount less than $100,000. Requires the Secretary of Defense, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, to delineate the procurement functions covered by these sections and provide a list of such functions to the Congress. Allows an individual who is offered compensation which might be in violation of this Act to apply to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics for advice on the applicability of this Act to the acceptance of such compensation. Requires such application to be made jointly by the individual and the contractor proposing the compensation. Outlines information to be included in such application for advice. Requires the Director to publish notice of the application in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit a hospital to exempt from the prospective payment system a prolonged respiratory care unit that is a distinct unit of the hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Children's Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute to extend the Act's coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any person injured personally or in his or her business or property. Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to the sexual exploitation of children. Makes it a Federal offense to print or publish any statement or advertisement to receive, buy, produce, display, photograph, film, print or publish any statement or advertisement to receive, buy, produce, display, photograph, film, print or record any visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prohibits offering participation in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. Lists factors that may be considered in determining whether a person engaged in such conduct has attained the age of 18. Provides that the Government need not establish the identify of the alleged minor in a prosecution under this section. Increases the penalties for offenses involving the transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct.