United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1986
Directs the President to submit recommendations to the Congress for legislation to reorganize the executive branch of the Government to more effectively combat international drug traffic and drug abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1986
Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Act - Establishes the Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics to investigate and advise the Congress on issues related to athletic programs at colleges and universities, including: (1) the balance between athletics and academics; (2) the impact of television on athletics; (3) the use of drugs by athletes; and (4) the extent of Federal and State government involvement in intercollegiate athletics. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress on its findings not later than one year after its organizational meeting and terminates the Commission 60 days after the date of submission of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1986
Anti-Apartheid Petroleum Sanctions Act - Provides for divestiture of U.S. investments in the oil industry in South Africa and for a ban on oil exports to South Africa unless the following conditions are met within 12-months of enactment of this Act: (1) certification by the President to the Congress that South Africa has freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system or has totally dismantled apartheid; and (2) enactment of a joint resolution approving such certification. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolution. Requires the divestiture of U.S. investments in the oil industry in South Africa to be effective six months after such 12-month period. Makes the prohibition on U.S. exports of oil to South Africa effective at the end of such 12-month period. Prohibits any Federal agency from issuing a lease or permit for the exploration, development, or production of coal, gas, or oil to anyone who violates the divestiture provision or the export prohibition of this Act. Provides for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth additional penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Homeless Persons' Survival Act of 1986 - Title I: Emergency Relief for the Homeless - Subtitle A: Emergency Shelter for the Homeless - Declares that every homeless individual is entitled to decent overnight shelter. Amends the Social Security Act to make emergency assistance mandatory for needy families with children and for homeless persons. Subtitle B: Social Security Assistance to the Homeless - Amends the Social Security Act to provide for an outreach program to homeless persons who may be eligible for OASDI and SSI benefits. Extends SSI eligibility to public shelter residents. Subtitle C: Health and Mental Health Care for the Homeless - Provides health and mental health care services to homeless persons. Subtitle D: Emergency Food for the Homeless - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for food stamp outreach to homeless persons. Makes establishments that feed homeless persons eligible to redeem food stamps. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to increase the FY 1987 authorization of appropriations and extend funding through FY 1989. Subtitle E: Emergency Assistance to Homeless Families and Children - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to require a State or local educational agency to provide free public education to homeless children in order to receive federal assistance. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to define "providing temporary shelter" as providing shelter until permanent shelter can be provided elsewhere. Provides for grants for the establishment or expansion of shelters for homeless parents and infants. Subtitle F: Job Training for the Homeless - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to include homeless persons in the definition of economically disadvantaged. Subtitle G: Entitlements Eligibility for the Homeless - States that the lack of a permanent address shall not make a person ineligible for assistance under: (1) the AFDC program; (2) the SSI program; (3) Medicaid; or (4) veterans' pension programs. Title II: Prevention of Homelessness - Subtitle A: Prevention of Evictions - Sets forth conditions which must be met before evicting a tenant from any federally assisted rental housing project. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants for emergency rent relief payments to landlords on behalf of tenants facing eviction. Authorizes FY 1987 appropriations. Establishes in the Treasury an Emergency Rent Relief Fund. Subtitle B: Preservation of Low Income Housing - Provides for the preservation of single room occupancy buildings under the following programs: (1) community development block grants; (2) urban development action grants; (3) the existing housing program; and (4) the moderate rehabilitation program. Authorizes FY 1987 appropriations for rural housing. Subtitle C: Prevention of Homelessness of Disabled and Institutionalized Persons - Provides for the eligibility of mentally ill persons for federally assisted housing. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) immediate SSI payments for chronically mentally ill persons; (2) full SSI payments through the third month of institutionalization; and (3) pre-release procedures for such institutionalized persons. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for a single application for SSI and food stamp benefits by SSI pre-release persons. Subtitle D: Prevention of Homelessness of Families and Children - Amends the Social Security Act to modify specified AFDC rules regarding dependent children in extended families. Title III: Increased Low Income Housing - Increases funding for existing housing and moderate rehabilitation programs. Authorizes FY 1987 appropriations. Provides for the increased availability of tax-foreclosed property to house the homeless. Obligates funds for FY 1987 under the community development block grants and housing for the elderly or handicapped programs for mentally ill homeless persons. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective on October 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1986
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for asbestos hazard abatement in the schools. Requires each local educational agency to develop an asbestos management plan which provides for inspections, removal, reinspections, and the use of accredited consultants involved in developing the plan or in the response actions concerning friable asbestos-containing material. Requires warning labels on any friable asbestos-containing material and asbestos-containing material still in routine maintenance areas of a school building. Requires local educational agencies to respond to asbestos according to EPA's most current guidance document, if the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations within the prescribed period. Requires such agencies to develop and implement operation and maintenance and management plans for friable asbestos-containing material in school buildings, including inspections and State approval. Sets forth standards for ambient interior concentrations of asbestos after completion of response actions under the current guidance document. Requires that the public be informed and protected during the phases of the management plan, including transportation and disposal. Requires each State Governor to establish administrative procedures for reviewing school asbestos management plans to be carried forward by the local educational agency. Directs the Administrator to develop a model accreditation plan for States to give accreditation to individuals who inspect, manage, and respond to friable asbestos problems in schools. Requires EPA training courses or trained personnel to meet such standards. Makes the use of accredited personnel a condition for receiving financial assistance under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Makes any local educational agency which fails to comply with this Act liable for civil penalties, including injunctive action. Requires the Administrator or appropriate Governor to investigate citizen complaints. Permits citizen suits to compel the Administrator to meet deadlines for promulgating regulations. Authorizes the Administrator or the appropriate State Governor to take necessary response measures where the presence of airborne asbestos or the condition of friable asbestos-containing material in a school building may be hazardous and adequate local measures have not been taken. Sets forth notification requirements and cost recovery entitlements when such actions are taken. Provides that State law is not preempted from imposing additional liability or more stringent requirements with respect to asbestos in schools. Limits the liability of asbestos contractors or local educational agencies performing activities under this Act to damages caused by negligent actions or intentional misconduct. Prohibits discrimination by a State or local educational agency against a whistle-blower. Directs the Administrator to appoint an Asbestos Ombudsman to answer complaints and inquiries concerning aspects of this Act. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress within one year on the need for a similar program for public and commercial buildings. Establishes the Asbestos Trust Fund in the Treasury to carry out the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Assistance Program. States that such Fund shall consist of amounts repayed under loans under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Directs the Administrator to make grants to States during FY 1988 for grants to local educational agencies to inspect for asbestos in school buildings and develop management plans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Social Security Administrative and Investment Reform Act of 1986 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the OASDI program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Title III: Management of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund - Amends the OASDI program to direct the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (OASDI trust funds) to immediately invest that portion of the OASDI trust funds which is not required for current withdrawals. Requires the investment to be made in accordance with policies established by the Social Security Board. Prohibits the sale and redemption of OASDI trust fund assets or the expenditure of OASDI trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in title II of the Act. Requires members of such trust funds' Board of Trustees to faithfully execute their duties, but does not impose a fiduciary duty. Requires that, in consideration of the public debt limit, required investment of trust fund amounts occur prior to the issuance of other obligations. Directs that tax receipts earmarked for the OASDI program be immediately transferred (currently, monthly transfers are made) from the general fund of the Treasury to the OASDI trust funds. Requires the Board of Trustees of the OASDI trust funds to meet at least twice each year. Sets forth provisions requiring reports by the Board of Trustees and the Managing Trustees to the Congress regarding the operation and status of the OASDI trust funds. Title IV: Additional Matters - Amends the OASDI program to prohibit the payment of OASDI benefits to individuals who have been deported pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act because of activities conducted under the direction of or in association with the Nazi government of Germany or its allies. Requires individuals to be paid interim benefits in cases where an administrative law judge has determined their entitlement to certain OASDI or SSI (Supplementary Security Income) benefits, but the Secretary's final decision has not been issued within 90 days of the judge's decision. Excludes any representative of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, any other agency of such department, or an involved State agency from appearing as a party at an OASDI or SSI benefit hearing or participating in the development of the record of such hearing, unless, in the latter case, the presiding officer requests such participation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Nuclear Winter Research Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of Energy to obligate specified amounts out of appropriated funds for FY 1987 through 1991 for nuclear winter research activities. Requires the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency, to distribute certain allocations to government and nongovernment entities for nuclear winter research activities. Allocates a specified amount for the Nuclear Winter Study Commission established by this Act. Directs such Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the consequences of nuclear explosions and exchanges, including the implications of such consequences upon U.S. military and civil defense policies. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress regarding the conduct of such study.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that unless the Health Care Financing Administration allocates sufficient funds and takes other action to ensure prompt payment of Medicare claims, the House of Representatives should adopt legislation ensuring prompt claims payment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that unless the Health Care Financing Administration allocates sufficient funds and and takes other action to ensure prompt payment of Medicare claims, the House of Representatives shall adopt legislation ensuring prompt claims payment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
United States House of Representatives Election Recount Act of 1986 - Declares that any recount of ballots for the office of Representative shall be completed: (1) in a general election by December 31 of the year of the election; and (2) in a special election by the end of six weeks after the election.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
Requires the President, by the later of 60 days after enactment of this Act or August 1, 1986, to report to the Congress on: (1) the status of implementation of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness; and (2) future plans for implementation of such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to establish a cost-sharing formula for certain Federal disaster assistance programs. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 75 percent for the repair of damaged public facilities and debris removal on the condition that remaining costs are paid by a State or local government. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 100 percent for: (1) unemployment assistance; (2) temporary housing assistance; and (3) crisis counseling assistance and training.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1986
Limits the obligation of funds for the deployment and maintenance of launchers for U.S. nuclear weapons. Waives such limitations if: (1) the President so requests in writing to the Congress, citing national security reasons for such waiver; and (2) each House of the Congress votes to authorize such waiver by bill or joint resolution within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act to require agencies to promulgate regulations with regard to the procedures for: (1) designating certain business information confidential; and (2) handling requests for such confidential information. Provides for de novo judicial review by a U.S. district court of an agency decision to withhold or disclose records. Directs the court to assess attorney's fees against a submitter where the submitter's reasons for withholding information were not substantially justified.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Insurance Information Act of 1986 - Requires commercial insurance companies to report specified information annually to the Secretary of Commerce. Details the reporting requirements, which include data on premiums, claims, legal costs, economic losses, investment income, and cancellations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue a report summarizing such information by September 30 of each year; and (2) send copies of such report to specified Federal and State officials (to be made available to the general public upon request). Establishes a maximum penalty of $100,000, or five years imprisonment, or both, for any person who: (1) fails to file such report as prescribed; or (2) knowingly makes any false statement or omission of fact in such report. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue regulations to implement this Act; (2) issue a list of standard classes of business and of standard units of exposure for which any commercial insurance company must report data; and (3) issue a reporting form to be used by commercial insurance companies to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1986
New Clean Coal Retrofit Technologies and Electric Generation and Industrial Energy Development Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to recommend to the Congress and the President: (1) actions to implement clean, cost-effective coal technologies in electric-generating facilities and domestic basic industries (such as steel and aluminum); and (2) administrative and regulatory actions (including financial assistance) to facilitate the use of clean-coal technologies. Establishes within the Department of Energy a Clean Coal Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary in formulating recommendations required by this Act. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) solicit in the Federal Register project proposals for clean coal technologies which are capable of retrofitting, repowering, or modernizing existing facilities; and (2) submit an analytical report to the Congress regarding the response to such solicitation and the extent to which funds in the Clean Coal Technology Reserve will accelerate the commercial availability of such technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 with respect to air carrier mergers or acquisitions to require the Secretary of Transportation to impose, as a condition of approval of such transactions, labor protective conditions that are calculated to mitigate possible adverse effects upon air carrier employees' employment, wages, or working conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Designates the school year of September 1986 through May 1987 as National Year of the Teacher and January 28, 1987, as National Teacher Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
States that U.S. defense programs should not carry out any development, test, or deployment activity of any antiballistic missile system or component. (This is in conformance with the defense system restrictions of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Medicare Adult Day Care Amendments of 1986 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of adult day care programs providing certain health services to chronically-impaired adults in a group setting outside their homes for up to 100 days on a less than 24-hour basis. Requires providers of such services to have a multidisciplinary group of health care personnel conduct a written assessment of the status of each chronically-impaired adult before the adult's admission to the program and thereafter periodically develop a coordinate an individualized treatment plan for, and with the cooperation of, the adult. Defines a "chronically-impaired adult" as an individual 18 years of age or older who has a physical, emotional, or mental impairment which, but for the provision of adult day care, would require the provision of care in a hospital, skilled nursing, or intermediate care facility. Makes deductibles inapplicable to adult day care, requiring only the payment of a specified coinsurance amount. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations regarding adult day care programs. Requires the Secretary to adopt the standards established by the National Institute of Adult Day Care as the minimum standards for qualifying as a provider of such care.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Declares that the House of Representatives urges: (1) the Soviet Union to share with the international scientific community information about the Chernobyl accident and to open the nuclear site for international inspection; (2) the establishment of an international emergency alert system; (3) the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish safety standards for nuclear power plants; and (4) the United States and other member nations of the Agency to implement standards by directing the Agency to establish an international emergency response force. Encourages the formation of an international commission to examine the causes of the Chernobyl accident.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Essential Services Payments to Local Governments Act - Provides for quarterly entitlement payments to units of local government for essential services (public health services, public safety protection, and public transportation facilities and services) for FY 1987 through 1989. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make such payments out of the Local Government Essential Services Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to such trust fund for each entitlement period. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for FY 1987 through 1989 for certain determinations required under this Act. Sets forth qualifications to be met by units of local government in order to receive entitlements. Provides sanctions for noncompliance with regulations governing such qualifications. Provides a special formula for entitlements for Indian tribes, Alaskan Native villages, and the District of Columbia. Directs the Secretary to allocate entitlement funds to each State (for subsequent allocation to local governments) according to a specified formula based on the need factor, the general tax effort factor, and the relative fiscal capacity factor, as defined in this Act, for each State. Entitles local governments to a portion of such State funds according to a specified formula based on the following factors, as defined in this Act, for each unit of local government in a State relative to all units in such State: (1) the unit's population; (2) the unit's general tax effort factor; and (3) the unit's income factor. Sets forth maximum and minimum limitations on local government entitlements. Requires each government to hold at least one public hearing on the use of such funds. Requires all equipment or services acquired with funds under this Act to be identified by signs acknowledging such payments. Prohibits discrimination in local government programs or activities funded through essential services payments. Sets forth provisions governing discrimination proceedings, the suspension and termination or resumption of payments in such proceedings, agreements by local governments to comply with discrimination prohibitions, the enforcement of such prohibitions by the Attorney General, administrative and civil actions by persons adversely affected by discriminatory practices, and judicial review of a decision to withhold, suspend, or terminate entitlement payments. Requires units of local government to submit an annual audit report to the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to maintain regulations regarding the investigation of complaints of violations of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to carry out necessary reviews to evaluate compliance and operations under this Act. Requires annual reports by: (1) the Secretary to the Congress on the administration of, and operations under, this Act; and (2) local governments to the Secretary on the amounts and uses of entitlement payments. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) undertake a series of studies on methods to identify local governments that have low capacities to raise revenues from their own sources relative to their essential public service needs and alternative State and Federal actions to address such deficiencies; and (2) report to the Congress on the results of such studies within 18 months of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for such studies for FY 1987 and 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1986
National Liability Commission Act - Establishes the National Commission on the Liability Crisis to investigate the cause of the liability and liability insurance crisis and recommend reforms to alleviate the crisis. Requires the Commission to report to the President and to the Congress. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986 - Transfers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): (1) the motor carrier safety functions of the Federal Highway Administration; and (2) the hazardous materials transportation functions of the Research and Special Programs Administration. Establishes in the NHTSA the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety (the Bureau), headed by an Associate Deputy Administrator for Motor Carrier Safety who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary). Outlines the motor carrier safety functions of the Associate Deputy Administrator. Establishes in the NHTSA the Office of Hazardous Materials Transportation, headed by an Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Transportation. Outlines the functions of such Associate Administrator. Requires the Associate Deputy Administrator for Motor Carrier Safety to: (1) notify each motor carrier of the safety rating for such carrier; and (2) publish such ratings annually. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1988: (1) for motor carrier safety functions; (2) to increase to 150 the number of motor carrier safety inspectors; and (3) for the hazardous materials transportation program. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to increase the authorizations used to reimburse the States' pro rata share of costs incurred to implement Federal motor vehicle safety rules. Amends the Surface Transportation Act of 1982 to direct the Secretary to make grants to States and political subdivisions for the designation of: (1) hazardous materials transportation routes; and (2) hazardous materials parking sites. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to require registered carriers of hazardous materials to maintain records of the routes followed in the transportation of such materials. Requires persons engaged in the commercial transportation of certain hazardous materials to prepare an annual registration statement. Authorizes appropriations to make emergency response personnel (police and fire fighters) training grants available to States and local subdivisions for FY 1987 through 1991. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish guidelines for emergency response training programs; (2) publish emergency response procedures; and (3) establish minimum qualifications for the licensing by the States of drivers of motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) such licensing qualifications; and (2) training and retraining programs for personnel engaged in hazardous materials transportation. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a hazardous materials flow study and to report the results of such study to the Congress; and (2) conduct a risks analysis regarding the transportation of high level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel to geologic repository sites and monitored retrievable storage sites, and report the results to the Congress and the Secretary of Energy. Nullifies certain truck brake regulations permitting front brake disconnections. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing new regulations to the same effect. Requires the Secretary to conduct public information programs regarding truck brakes safety.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Kings River, California, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Fair Hospital Deductible Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to change the date by which the Secretary of Health and Human Services must determine the inpatient hospital deductible for the year. Limits the increase in such deductible to no more than the cost-of-living increase reflected in benefit payments under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act. Provides that the extended care coinsurance amount for any spell of illness in any year shall equal one-twelfth of the inpatient hospital deductible for illnesses beginning in such year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Declares that the House of Representatives, on behalf of the U.S. people, expresses its gratitude to the Government and people of the United Kingdom who assisted the United States in its exercise of self-defense against Libya and in the fight against state-sponsored international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal telecommunications policy should maintain universal telephone service, retain nationwide toll rate averaging for interstate long distance calls, and reduce regulatory and administrative burdens on small telephone systems. Provides that any Federal access charge plan should: (1) support rural telephone systems through a universal service fund designed to ensure affordable rural telephone rates; (2) allocate to interstate long distance service no less than the proportion of the local telephone system access costs currently allocated to such service; (3) retain the current arrangement for the pooling of such costs; and (4) avoid collecting all of such costs by means of flat rate access charges.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1986
Nursing Home Resident Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require intermediate care facilities (other than mental health institutions) to meet skilled nursing facility requirements established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act. Makes changes in the conditions placed upon skilled nursing facilities' Medicare participation relating to: (1) the quality and fairness of care; (2) patient participation in facility decision-making; and (3) the extent to which care approximates a patient's particular needs. Substantiates such objectives by providing a nonexclusive list of patients' rights at such facilities. Prohibits State agencies which have agreed to survey nursing facilities' compliance with Medicare participation conditions from providing such facilities with consultation services regarding such conditions. Requires that nursing facility survey results be posted in a place accessible to patients. Requires that nursing facility surveys be: (1) unannounced; (2) conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals trained and tested for their duties; (3) focused on the quality of care provided to patients; and (4) performed for each facility on a regular basis, the frequency of such surveys depending upon the facility's record. Directs State agencies to provide for the investigation of complaints against nursing facilities and to use specialized survey teams to survey and carry out enforcement action against chronically substandard facilities and other facilities threatening patients' well-being. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish criteria and procedures for evaluating an institution's plans for the correction of its violations of nursing facility standards. Directs the Secretary to conduct a random annual sample of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities in order to validate State determinations regarding provider compliance with Medicaid requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement intermediate sanctions applicable to Medicare nursing or Medicaid intermediate care facilities which do not substantially satisfy the requirements placed on such facilities, but which do not immediately jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of their patients. Gives such facilities the right to a hearing after the determination regarding such deficiencies is made. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to give an individual entitled to inpatient hospital services in a nursing or intermediate care facility the right to bring an action in an appropriate Federal district court when such facility's failure to meet the requirements of the Act adversely affects such individual. Title II: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the ombudsman program of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize an ombudsman to designate a representative to perform ombudsman functions; (2) increase the minimum which must be allotted to the program from grants to States for the provision of social services for the aged; (3) immunize ombudsmen and their representatives from liability under State and Federal law in the performance of their duties, so long as such duties are performed with due care; and (4) provide technical assistance and training for ombudsmen and their representatives. Establishes the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Advisory Council in the Department of Health and Human Services to advise the Secretary regarding the development and operation of the ombudsman program. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding data collected on complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1986
Extended Unemployment Insurance Reform Act of 1986 - Title I: Improved Program of Extended Unemployment Compensation - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to limit the amount of extended compensation payable to an individual to the amount established in an individual's extended compensation account. Increases the limit on the amount established in an individual's extended compensation account. Sets forth the formula for determining the new limit. Limits an individual's eligibility period for extended compensation to the number of weeks equal to the applicable limit for an individual's compensation account. Requires the amount and duration of extended compensation payable under the interstate benefit payment plan to be the same as if the individual were filing the claim in the State which establishes the individual's extended compensation account. Requires that each unemployment benefit duration period shall be a three-month period beginning on the first Sunday of January of each year and the first Sunday of every third month thereafter. Sets forth formulas, based upon each State's insured unemployment rate, for determining whether a benefit duration period shall be an eight-percent, seven-percent, six-percent, five-percent, or four-percent period. Requires that a benefit duration period shall be a "low-unemployment period" if the State's adjusted insured unemployment rate for the first week of such benefit duration period and the immediately preceding 12 weeks was less than four percent. Sets forth an alternative method of determining a benefit duration period based upon the total rate of unemployment. Requires that each State be paid an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the sum of the sharable extended compensation and the sharable regular compensation paid to individuals under State law. Sets forth the applicable percentage for eight-percent, seven-percent, six-percent, five-percent, and four-percent periods. Defines sharable regular compensation. Amends title IX (Employment Security) of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations into the extended unemployment compensation account. Sets forth transition provisions. Title II: Demonstration Projects - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to enter into a demonstration program agreement with at least three States whereby extended unemployment compensation under the Act would be available for certain substate areas with specified levels of unemployment. Directs the Secretary to enter into a demonstration program agreement with at least five States for promotion of training programs for unemployment compensation recipients. Directs the Secretary to provide model criteria, technical assistance, and specified information for such State training programs. Directs State Governors to designate State agencies to approve training programs and participants. Directs the Secretary to transmit a study of such demonstration program to the Congress by October 1, 1988. Provides, under the Social Security Act, for interest credits to a State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund on the basis of State payments of unemployment compensation to individuals in approved training. Sets forth State reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to report annually, beginning not later than October 31, 1986, on the implementation of such training program provisions and on State regulations and procedures to comply with specified Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to unemployment compensation. Provides that the training program provisions under this title shall not be taken into consideration in determining whether there has been a net decrease in the solvency of any State unemployment compensation system. Title III: Procurement Targeting in Labor Surplus Areas - Directs the head of each Federal agency which procured supplies and equipment at a rate in excess of $1,000,000,000 in FY 1985 to set targets, for FY 1987 and each fiscal year thereafter, for such procurement within labor surplus areas, as defined by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report annually to specified congressional committees on: (1) the number, amount, and percentage of contracts awarded by each Federal agency in labor surplus areas; (2) the impact of such contracts on the area unemployment rate and on the Federal costs under the extended unemployment compensation program; and (3) whether such contracts could be increased without adverse impact on Federal procurement. Title IV: Report - Directs the Secretary of Labor, within six months of the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under the Job Training Partnership Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1986
Telephone Decency Act of 1986 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any obscene or indecent telephone communication for commercial purposes to any person in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communication. (Current law prohibits such communication to any person without his or her consent or to any person under 18 years of age.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1986
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize home energy grants for FY 1987 through 1989. Deems the full amount of home energy assistance payments, regardless of whether made directly to a household or indirectly for its benefit, to be heating or cooling expenses for purposes of the excess shelter expense deduction under the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1986
Fair Trade and Economic Justice Act - Title I: Declares U.S. policies, including to promote an open and fair international trading system and to treat as an unfair practice competitive and advantages derived from denial of worker rights. Title II: Negotiating Objectives Regarding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and Enforcement of Internationally Recognized Worker Rights - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include among the actions to be taken on trade agreements the enhancement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) through: (1) the adoption of an additional GATT article declaring that the exploitation of workers is an unjustifiable means for a country to gain a competitive trade advantage; (2) the amendment of the GATT to affirm such principle; or (3) the adoption and implementation of a code or internationally recognized worker rights. Prohibits the President from entering into any negotiation with respect to any trade agreement unless the President first reports to specified congressional committees on the actions that will be taken to protect workers' rights and to redress the trade disadvantage of countries that rely primarily on direct taxes for revenue needs. Prohibits any trade agreement entered into after enactment of this Act from taking effect with respect to the United States unless the President consults with specified congressional committees on the progress being made to protect workers' rights. Title III: Relief from Unfair Trade Practices - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish in the International Trade Commission (ITC) the Office of Unfair Trade Investigations. Sets forth the functions of such Office, including: (1) carrying out the functions assigned on October 1, 1985, to the ITC's Office of Unfair Import Investigations; and (2) monitoring the operation of U.S. and foreign trade laws, policies, and practices. Requires the Office to take certain actions if a foreign country or instrumentality is suspected of: (1) subsidizing or dumping exports to the United States; (2) engaging in unfair trading practices; or (3) violating U.S. trade rights under trade agreements. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Office. Authorizes the U.S. Court of International Trade to review an Office determination of whether a country's foreign trade policies deny internationally recognized worker rights. Prohibits the Office from taking action in certain cases. Requires the ITC to ensure that the Office has sufficient manpower and resources to carry out its functions. Transfers from the President to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) certain functions relating to enforcement of U.S. trade rights under trade agreements and response to certain foreign trade practices. Requires the USTR, if notified that a foreign act, policy, or practice is a cause of injury or threat of injury to a domestic industry or is injurious industrial targeting, to decide which of the following actions to take, in addition to actions taken under the GATT: (1) suspension, withdrawal, or prevention of application of trade benefits; (2) imposition of import duties or restrictions on the production and services of such foreign entity; (3) negotiation of orderly marketing agreements; (4) development of actions to restore or improve the international competitiveness of the injured or threatened industry; and/or (5) the denial of most favored nation treatment to products of the foreign entity. Requires the USTR, upon receiving such notification, to begin negotiations on an agreement to eliminate the injurious act, practice, or policy. Authorizes the USTR, subject to presidential disapproval, to: (1) restrict the terms and conditions of certain service sector access authorizations; or (2) deny the issuance of such authorizations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1986
Expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of any proposal to establish a Social Security Court or limit, in any other manner, the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts over appeals of administrative decisions concerning entitlement to social security benefits.