United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Information Dissemination and Research Accountability Act - Establishes in the National Library of Medicine a National Center for Research Accountability to assist in eliminating duplication of effort in Federal research proposals involving live animals. Directs the President to appoint as members of the Center 20 experts in the biomedical information sciences who are currently employed by a Federal agency in a capacity which qualifies them to make determinations as to whether research proposals involving live animals are duplicative of other research efforts. Sets forth provisions for a Director of the Center. Prohibits Federal agencies from carrying out or funding any research proposal involving live animals unless the proposal is submitted to the Center following agency approval. Prohibits Federal funding of any such proposal which the Center determines would duplicate other research completed or in process. Authorizes the Center to contract with private entities to assist in the conduct of comprehensive full-text literature searches. Directs the President to establish rules to preclude any conflict of interest in the awarding of such contracts. Authorizes the President to appoint uncompensated advisors to the Members of the Center. Directs the Center to report annually to the President and the Congress. Provides for modernization of biomedical information storage and dissemination by the National Library of Medicine. Directs the Library to: (1) acquire, in full-text form, all biomedical information owned or available for use by Federal agencies (except information already in the Library or classified for national security reasons); (2) transcribe and store in full-text all such information acquired by the Library after January 1, 1960; (3) translate into English all foreign-language biomedical information owned or used by the Library; (4) make available through modern technologies, at cost, to medical libraries all full-text biomedical information in its collection; (5) support, by grants and contracts, the creation of new information for teaching and demonstrations, including audiovisual aids and computer graphics technologies; (6) make available, at cost, such new information to research and teaching institutions; and (7) increase the number of persons trained in modern methods of biomedical information storage and dissemination technologies by making available stipends, awards, and grants to persons engaged in such training. Provides that the cost to those requesting such biomedical or such teaching and demonstration information shall include the Federal expenses incurred in acquiring and making it available. Authorizes the Library to award contracts to the private-sector data recording industry to improve: (1) the development of technologies for storage and dissemination of full-text biomedical information; and (2) dissemination of such information to medical libraries for research use. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint uncompensated advisors to the Library for purposes of this Act. Requires the Library to report annually to the Congress on its progress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide that any deferral of budget authority proposed by the President shall take effect unless the Congress, within 45 legislative days after receiving the President's proposal, completes action on a bill disapproving such deferral.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
WIC Food for Life Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) should receive increasing appropriations until all eligible persons are being served; and (2) an outreach program should be conducted to identify persons eligible for WIC assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express to the Soviet Union the U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's slave labor policies by all possible means, including refusing to permit imports of products made by such labor. Requests the President to end the delay in enforcing the restriction against importing goods produced by forced labor.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Small Business Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1987 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of a Federal agency to have received an invoice on the later of: (1) the date on which the designated office or employee of an agency actually receives it; or (2) the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Makes the Postmaster General responsible for issuing procurement regulations, solicitation provisions, and contract clauses. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations (other than meat products and agricultural commodities) issued before October 1, 1990. Eliminates such grace period for procurement solicitations issued on or after October 1, 1990. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if: (1) the agency owes the interest penalty; (2) the interest penalty is not paid to the business concern on or after the date the penalty is due; (3) the agency does not pay the penalty within ten days after such payment is made; and (4) a written demand is made within 40 days after such payment is made. Requires regulations on interest penalties, in the case of construction contracts, to provide for the payment of interest on: (1) progress payments due for more than seven days, or a longer period if the prevailing practice in private construction contracts is to provide such longer period; and (2) amounts retained during the performance of a contract, if such amounts are not paid by the required payment date. Requires regulations on interest penalties to provide for periodic payments in the case of supply or service contracts upon: (1) the submission of an invoice for supplies delivered or services performed; and (2) acceptance of supplies or services by an authorized employee or certification of performance by such an employee. Requires Government construction contractors to include a payment provision in their agreements with their subcontractors which provides for payment in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Requires the contractor to pay a late payment interest penalty to the subcontractor at the rate applicable between the prime contractor and the Government. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include: (1) a description of agency payment practices; and (2) an analysis by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for each of the various Federal agencies on the impact of such payments on small and disadvantaged businesses. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to report to the congressional committees on Small Business on current Government compliance with the payment of interest penalties and the impact on small business. Requires the Chief Counsel to monitor the compliance of all agencies and of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with interest penalty payments. Requires the modification of the Federal acquisition regulation to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Expresses congressional findings that: (1) the Federal Government has encouraged the use of the LD50 test through regulations which mandate or encourage its use or do not prescribe other less costly, more accurate, and more humane alternatives; and (2) private industry is reluctant to use these other tests without Federal Government encouragement. (LD50 is a procedure whereby toxicity is measured in terms of the median dose that will kill 50 percent of the test animals within a specified time.) Prohibits Federal department or agency heads from considering LD50 test results when determining product safety, labeling, or transportation requirements for purposes of Federal regulation. Requires Federal department and agency heads to: (1) review and evaluate directives that call for the use of an animal toxicity test; and (2) promulgate regulations specifying the use of nonanimal alternatives. Permits the use of animal toxicity tests under certain conditions. Requires that animal toxicity testing regulations be subject to periodic agency review and to public comment in certain cases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Federal Lands Receipts Clarification Act - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, and other Federal law to specify that the States' share of certain revenue from National Forest System timber sales, from oil and gas royalties, and from mineral and geothermal leases be determined on the basis of gross receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Acid Deposition Act - Title I: Acid Deposition Control Program - Amends the Clean Air Act to limit the application of such Act's sulfur dioxide emissions limitations to sources constructed or modified in 1980 and earlier. Requires electric utilities in the acid deposition impact region which convert to coal after 1980 to meet an emission standard not in excess of 1.2 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million British thermal units (Btu's). Designates an acid deposition impact region comprising a long-range transport corridor of 31 States east of the Mississippi and the District of Columbia. Requires such region to achieve in two equal phases a total reduction of annual emissions of sulfur dioxide of ten million tons below 1980 levels, the first five million by the start of 1991. Directs the Acid Precipitation Task Force to implement an accelerated research program during the first stage to examine the pattern of effects of atmospheric loading of pollutants such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate such results until no later than the start of FY 1992. Authorizes appropriations for such evaluations for FY 1989 through 1991. Requires the completion of the second phase's five million ton emissions reduction by the start of 1996. Authorizes the Administrator to vary through rulemaking by April 1, 1992, the requirements of the second stage based upon the first stage research evaluations. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on proposed changes and requires such changes to increase protection of sensitive areas and mitigation of identified damage. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress by the end of FY 1992 if a determination is made that individual State nitrogen oxides reduction standards should not be established. Requires each State to reduce its proportional share of annual sulfur dioxide emissions, permitting two or more States to reallot their shares among themselves so long as the total, required reduction is achieved. Requires each State to adopt enforceable reduction measures within two years of this Act's enactment, submitting them to the Administrator for approval and other States for comment. Provides for revisions of such measures by the State or the Administrator. Applies Federal reduction standards of 1.2 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million Btu's in addition to State established requirements for any major stationary source in noncompliance with the applicable implementation plan by the end of 1986. Applies the Federal standard to all facilities owned or operated by an owner or operated of a facility which continues to be in noncompliance by 1991. Applies Federal reduction standards of an average among facilities of 1.2 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million Btu's on a 30-day average to covered sources in States in the impact region without the required enforcement measures. Requires the owner or operator of such sources to submit a compliance plan and schedule to the Administrator for approval. Permits the use of the following measures to reduce emissions in addition to enforceable continuous emission reduction measures if such measures are enforceable by entities and persons other than the State in which the emissions occur: (1) least emissions dispatch to meet electric generating demand at existing generating capacity; (2) retirement of major stationary sources at an earlier than provided for date; (3) investments in energy conservation where emission reductions can be identified with such investments; (4) trading of emission reduction requirements and actual reductions through emission reduction banks or brokerage institutions; (5) precombustion cleaning of fuels, and (6) fuel substitution. Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of Energy, Commerce, and State to induce Canada to achieve comparable reductions. Requires the Administrator to certify that progress on such front is being made by Canada before the Department of Energy approves agreements for the importation of electric energy from Canada under the Federal Power Act. Directs the President and Secretary of State to seek the installation and monitoring of air pollution control equipment on new major emissions sources, including copper and other metal smelters in Mexico. Directs the President to report periodically to the Congress on progress in such endeavor. Directs the Administrator to report to the appropriate congressional committees on compliance with emission limitations and other enforceable measures under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1987
Older Americans Home Health Services Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a program providing grants to States for projects providing home health services to individuals aged 60 or older and to their spouses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires each State project to permit recipients of home health service grants or contracts to solicit voluntary contributions for such services. Prohibits the provision of home health services to individuals who: (1) receive substantially similar services under titles XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under certain other Federally funded programs; or (2) would require less costly care in an institution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order. (Currently, such withholding need not occur until one month of nonpayment has elapsed.) Directs States to establish binding guidelines for child support award amounts. (Currently, such guidelines need not be binding.) Creates a rebuttable presumption that the child support award resulting from the application of such guidelines in a judicial or administrative child support proceeding is correct. Requires States to review and update all child support orders at least once every two years to ensure that they continue to comply with child support award guidelines. Gives the Federal Parent Locator Service and State child support enforcement agencies access to all employment security information in the possession or control of existing data networks. Conditions a State's eligibility for payments under titles IV or XIX (Medicaid) of the Act on its compliance with federally prescribed child support enforcement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for first degree murders committed by prisoners serving life sentences in Federal correctional institutions. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a guilty plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court upon motion by the defendant with the approval of the Government when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Eliminates the requirement for a presentence report. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the evidence and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Directs the jury or the court to consider all the information and return a special finding identifying any mitigating or aggravating factors. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury (or finding by the court) that: (1) some threshold aggravating factor exists; and (2) the aggravating factors sufficiently outweigh any mitigating factor found to exist. Directs the court, upon a finding that a sentence of death is justified, to impose the death penalty. Requires the court, in any hearing before a grand jury under this Act, to instruct the jury in considering the death sentence to disregard the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the corporate, legal, labor, and academic communities should pursue establishment of an organization to provide pro bono legal assistance to small businesses in cases involving foreign unfair trade practices. Urges such organization to: (1) develop an outreach program to inform businesses of remedies available under U.S. trade laws; and (2) provide pro bono legal assistance to those businesses lacking resources to seek such remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Cancer Patients' Employment Rights Act - Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of an individual's cancer history, to: (1) fail or refuse to hire or to discharge the individual, or to otherwise discriminate against the individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; or (2) limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants for employment in any way which would tend to deprive an individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the individual's status as an employee. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to: (1) fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise discriminate against, an individual because of the individual's cancer history; or (2) classify or refer for employment an individual on the basis of the individual's cancer history. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for a labor organization to: (1) exclude or to expel from its membership, or otherwise discriminate against, an individual because of the individual's cancer history; (2) limit, segregate, or classify its membership, or to classify or fail or refuse to refer an individual for employment because of the individual's cancer history; or (3) cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against an individual. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee controlling an apprenticeship, training, or retraining program to discriminate against an individual because of the individual's cancer history in admission to, or employment in, such programs. Declares that it is not an unlawful employment practice to hire individuals on the basis of their cancer history in cases where cancer history is a bona fide occupational qualification. Declares it to be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to give and to act upon the results of a professionally developed ability test if such test is designed or used to discriminate because of cancer history. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to require an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee to grant preferential treatment to an individual or group because of the individual's or group's cancer history for the purpose of certain numerical comparisons. Describes other unlawful employment practices with respect to individuals with a cancer history, including: (1) retaliation; (2) published job notices; (3) medical examinations and medical information; and (4) reasonable accommodations for such individuals. Requires all personnel actions in the following government entities to be made free from discrimination based on cancer history: (1) military departments; (2) executive agencies; (3) the United States Postal Service and Postal Rate Commission; (4) units of the District of Columbia government having positions in the competitive service; and (5) units of the judicial branch having positions in the competitive service. Empowers the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce this Act and to make investigations and require recordkeeping as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Biennial Budgeting Act of 1987 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the Federal and congressional budget process by: (1) establishing a two-year budgeting cycle beginning in the 101st Congress; and (2) providing for the separate consideration of authorizations, appropriations, the concurrent resolution on the budget, and the reconciliation bill or resolution. Requires each standing committee of the Congress to review the laws and programs under its jurisdiction in every odd-numbered year to determine whether such programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated and whether new legislation is necessary to comply with congressional intent.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that certain information relating to fund raising must be included on tax returns made by tax-exempt organizations. Specifies the information required as: (1) the name and address of each person engaged in fund raising on behalf of the organization; (2) the gross amount raised by such person; (3) the amount of compensation received by such person; (4) a description of the activities performed by such person on behalf of the organization; and (5) a description of the other fund raising activities of the organization, the amount raised from such activities, and the expenses incurred for such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to establish a presumption of service-connection (for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits) for former prisoners of war suffering from the following conditions after active service: (1) peripheral neuropathy due to trauma; (2) spastic colon; and (3) peptic or duodenal ulcers. Decreases from six months to 90 days the amount of time a former prisoner of war must have been incarcerated in order to be eligible for outpatient dental services.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Lottery Advertising Clarification Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code and Postal Service provisions to include advertisements on gift enterprises, schemes offering prizes dependent upon lot or chance, and price lists as authorized State lottery information. Includes as a punishable offense the unauthorized television broadcasting (currently, only radio broadcasting) of lottery information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Child Care Act of 1987 - Sets forth congressional findings regarding the child care policies of the country. Title I: Voucher System for Child Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to each State which has an approved plan for making vouchers for child care available to individuals whose family income is less than 200 percent of the Federal proverty level and who require such services due to their employment, search for employment, or training for employment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Requires child care providers which are not required by State law to be licensed or certified to register with the State in order to participate in the voucher program. Directs States to make voluntary certification available to child care providers not required to be licensed or certified under State law. Exempts family day care providers (child care providers caring for six or fewer children) which are not required by State law to be licensed or certified from registration requirements if the State demonstrates to the Secretary that not less than 80 percent of the children served by such providers are likely to be served by family day care providers whose names and addresses are recorded by the State. Requires the Secretary to establish criteria, standards, and a timetable for the implementation of these and other specified State voucher plan requirements. Directs the Secretary to reimburse a State for 75 percent of its costs under such plan. Provides for proportional allotments among States based upon the amount each State receives under title XX (Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act. Permits a State to use title XX funds for the voucher plan. Permits the Secretary to withhold this Act's grant payments from a noncompliant State. Excludes the amount of any voucher from determinations of income or resources for purposes of any Federal or State law. Requires each State to report biennially to the Secretary on the implementation of the plan, including the amounts used on vouchers from title XX funds. Requires the Secretary to submit an analysis of the State reports to the Congress. Title II: Changes in Dependent Care Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for proportionately greater reductions in the dependent care tax credit when a taxpayer's income exceeds $60,000 than when his or her income exceeds $10,000, except where such credit is for care provided to a handicapped individual. Adjusts such dollar figures annually to reflect changes in the cost-of-living. Disallows dependent care tax credits for care paid for with vouchers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Coal Pipeline Act of 1987 - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize a person who has secured specified water rights under applicable State law to apply to the Secretary of the Interior for certification that it is in the national interest to construct, operate, or extend a coal pipeline. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary will make such a certification, including the decision to grant rights-of-way across Federal lands upon such pipeline's request. Conditions such certification upon an applicant's reservation of a specified portion of total pipeline capacity for small, independent producers located in the geographic region served by such pipeline. Makes all Federal and State environmental laws applicable to the issuance or denial of such certification. Outlines the procedures for granting rights-of-way across Federal lands. Proscribes the granting of any right-of-way through lands: (1) designated as wilderness areas; (2) administered as part of the national park system; or (3) which are part of a historic site (unless there is no reasonable alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize the harm of such site). Prohibits any person or entity (including the United States) from claiming any right or interest in water within any State for a coal pipeline unless such claim takes place under the law of the affected State. Delegates to the States all power regarding water rights for a coal pipeline in spite of any otherwise impermissible burden which may thereby be imposed upon interstate commerce. States that this Act does not: (1) impair the validity of any State law (or interstate compact) regarding any claim to water rights; (2) alter the rights of any State to its apportioned share of water under past or future allocation or interstate compact; (3) affect any Indian water rights; or (4) preempt or otherwise affect any State or Federal law or interstate compact regarding water quality or disposal. Prohibits any State acting under authority of this Act from restricting the movement through such State of water acquired in another State and within a coal pipeline. Authorizes certain persons who have received a certification from the Secretary that it is in the national interest to operate or extend a coal pipeline to acquire rights-of-way through private lands by the power of eminent domain. States this Act shall not be construed to permit any person (including the United States) to acquire any water rights through the power of eminent domain. Prohibits the acquisition of any right-of-way through the power of eminent domain if such right-of-way is upon land which is part of a historic site of national, State, or local significance, unless there is no prudent alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize harm to such site. Provides for an antitrust review of applications for certification by the Attorney General. Sets forth certification guidelines under which the Secretary shall determine whether construction, operation, or extension of a coal pipeline is in the national interest. Requires each pipeline carrier for which a certification has been issued to provide service on reasonable request. Prohibits such carriers from unreasonably discriminating or refusing to enter into contracts with coal shippers under similar conditions in a contemporaneous period. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of coal pipeline certifications in the Federal Register. States that this Act shall not be construed to modify or preempt the ratemaking authority of any State utility regulatory agency. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform Federal standards for coal pipeline safety. Establishes penalties for failure to comply with such safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Tongass Timber Reform Act - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the ongoing appropriations for timber utilization in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska. Repeals the requirement for identifying lands unsuitable for timber production in such forest. Repeals the reporting requirement on the adequacy of timber supply from such forest lands. Requires the biennial report on such Forest to include the impact of timber management on subsistence resources, wildlife, and fisheries habitats.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Polygraph Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to add a title relating to polygraph examinations. Prohibits, except under circumstances set out in this Act, an employer from: (1) requiring or suggesting that any present or prospective employee submit to a polygraph examination for any purpose; (2) using or referring to the results of a polygraph examination of any present or prospective employee for any purpose; (3) discharging, disciplining, or denying employment or promotion to any present or prospective employee who refuses to take a polygraph test; and (4) basing the discharge, discipline, or denial of employment or promotion solely on the analysis and opinions of a polygraph examiner authorized by this Act to conduct polygraph examinations. Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish standards and qualifications for persons wishing to conduct polygraph examinations. Sets forth requirements that must be incorporated in such standards, including criteria relating to: (1) age and citizenship; (2) formal training and internship; (3) inquiries that may be pursued during a polygraph examination (prohibiting, for example, questions about religious, racial, or political beliefs and about sexual preferences); (4) notice to the examinee of legal rights and remedies; (5) the data recording instruments to be used during the examination; (6) limitations on the conclusions and opinions of the examiner; (7) recordkeeping; and (8) examiner bonding or professional liability insurance coverage. Limits disclosure of information obtained during a polygraph examination. Prohibits the waiver of rights and procedures provided by this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue appropriate rules and regulations and to cooperate with regional, State, and local agencies and with employers and labor unions to carry out this title. Empowers the Secretary to make investigations and to require recordkeeping in accordance with existing FLSA law. Makes applicable to this title the enforcement powers, remedies, and procedures of existing FLSA law, including statutes governing the civil liability of violator employers and injunction proceedings. Provides that amounts owing to a person as a result of a violation of this Act shall be deemed to be unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime compensation for purposes of liability determination. Limits payment of liquidated damages to instances of willful violations. Grants to the court jurisdiction to provide any appropriate legal or equitable relief, including judgments that: (1) compel employment, reinstatement, or promotion; or (2) enforce liability. Directs the Secretary, before instituting an enforcement action, to attempt to eliminate the alleged offending practice and to effect voluntary compliance with this Act through informal conciliatory processes. Creates a civil cause of action in any court of competent jurisdiction to any aggrieved person. Entitles a person to trial by jury in such actions. Terminates the right of any person to bring such an action on the commencement of an action by the Secretary to enforce such person's right. Prohibits the commencement of a civil action brought by an individual until 60 days after the filing of a charge alleging a violation. Sets forth time limitations applicable to the filing of such charges: (1) generally; and (2) in cases of violations in States having specified standards or an approved administrative plan regulating polygraph examinations. Directs the Secretary, upon receiving such a charge, to notify specified persons and to seek to eliminate any alleged violation by informal means. Applies specified provisions of the Portal-to-Portal Act to actions under this title (provisions permitting an employer defense based on a good faith reliance on certain written administrative regulations, as well as statute of limitations provisions). States that it is the express intent of the Congress to permit regulation of polygraph examinations in any manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes any State or local government wishing to develop and enforce standards for the use of polygraphs by employers to submit to the Secretary an administrative plan relating to such standards and containing information specified in this Act. Requires the Secretary to make a continual evaluation of each approved administrative plan and to withdraw approval of such plan upon the finding that it is not being administered in ways to assure substantial compliance with this Act's standards. Authorizes review by the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Secretary's decision to withdraw such a plan. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to be applicable to: (1) the U.S. Government, its agencies, or its agents; (2) any State governmental agency or its agent; or (3) any law enforcement agency or its agent. Requires the Secretary to issue rules and regulations appropriate for carrying out this Act not later than 180 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Older American Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991 for State and community programs on aging which include programs providing nutrition services, supportive services, surplus commodities, or cash payments in lieu of food commodities to older individuals. Requires States to include among such programs a program providing in-home services to frail, older individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991, for: (1) the older American community service employment program; (2) grants to Indian tribes for the provision of supportive and nutritional services to older Indians; and (3) the older Americans personal health education and training program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Amends specified provisions of Federal law relating to the refinancing of veterans' home loans to remove the requirement that a veteran must actually occupy the home in order to qualify for such refinancing.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Irrigation Subsidy Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Act of 1939 to require the Secretary of the Interior to charge full cost for the delivery of water used in the production of any surplus agricultural commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Child Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Allows any person injured personally or in his business or property by such violations to bring a civil suit for treble damages. Amends the Federal criminal code to require a mandatory life sentence in kidnapping offenses involving the murder of a minor. Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for the sexual exploitation of minors. Provides that the period of any applicable limitation for the commencement of prosecution for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children shall not begin until the child has reached the age of 18 years. Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress detailing possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and other procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation. Directs the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children by: (1) including the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender; and (2) using a uniform definition of a child.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Anti-Live Animal Lure Act of 1987 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the sponsoring, exhibiting, or transporting to sponsor or exhibit of an animal or dog in any coursing venture. Defines "coursing" as an activity involving the pursuit by dogs of another animal as a visual lure for training, entertainment, sport, or wagering.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to extend for one year (from April 16, 1987, to April 16, 1988) the waiver of estimated tax penalties for underpayments by individuals attributable to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Establishes the House of Representatives Classified Information Security Office to assure protection of classified information in the custody of Members, officers, and employees of the House that is equivalent to the protection required for such information in the executive branch. Directs the Office to: (1) assist the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in preparing a classified information security manual; (2) receive, transmit, store, and dispose of classified information; (3) assist departments and agencies in processing House requests for access to classified information and in presenting briefings on security procedures; and (4) maintain centralized records identifying officers and employees who have access to classified information. Requires congressional approval by resolution of the classified information security manual.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the promotion of unrestricted family visits between related people of the United States and the Soviet Union is an essential part of American policy toward the Soviet Union; and (2) the President, the Secretary of State, and other administration members should raise the issue of family visitation at all appropriate opportunities in discussions with leaders of the Communist Party and the Government of the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United Nations, and in particular the Human Rights Commission, should include among its highest priorities of its human rights agenda consideration of the question of human rights in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Directs the Postal Service to restore the reduced rates applicable to mailings of fewer than 5,000 copies of publications to counties adjacent to the county of publication. Limits to 20,000 the number of copies of such publications which may be mailed under reduced rates within the county of publication.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a standard deduction of an additional amount for a taxpayer or the spouse of the taxpayer if the taxpayer or spouse is a paraplegic, a quadriplegic, a hemiplegic, an amputee, or a deaf person at the close of the taxpayer's taxable year. Requires the taxpayer to furnish proof of such condition in such form and manner, and at such times, as prescribed by regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Equitable Automobile Transportation Act of 1987 - Directs a person shipping foreign vehicles from Japan or South Korea into the United States to transport an equal number of such vehicles on U.S. vehicle carriers that the person ships on foreign vessels. Requires shippers to file a bill of lading with the Secretary of Transportation for every shipment of foreign vehicles brought into the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce such required equal percentage for a temporary period, under certain conditions. Provides penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Professional Medical Liability Reform Act of 1987 - Establishes within the Department of Justice a program to fund the creation and operation of State medical liability arbitration panels. Confers upon such panels original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear all claims of medical malpractice that are not against the United States. Catalogs the powers of the panels. Sets forth standards applicable to panel decisions, including provisions relating to choice of law, timetable to govern decisionmaking, criteria relating to expert witnesses, and guidelines for the transmission of a written decision to the parties. Permits admission of evidence of collateral sources of compensation for injuries and requires a mandatory offset of amounts from such sources against damage awards. Authorizes panels to dismiss frivolous claims. Directs panels to determine the amount of damages owed to the plaintiff by a defendant found to be professionally negligent. Permits States to provide judicial enforcement of such damage awards if not promptly paid. Limits recovery for noneconomic loss to a maximum of $250,000, with provision for a cost of living adjustment every three years. Authorizes periodic payment of awards under certain circumstances. Prescribes procedures and standards to govern judicial review of a panel decision. Requires the panel to report to the State insurance commissioner and to the appropriate licensing or certification body within 30 days in cases when a defendant has been found guilty of professional negligence or when a settlement agreement is reached. Requires that the appropriate board make such report available for public inspection and that the commissioner promptly notify each liability insurance provider in the State concerning findings of negligence and the terms of any settlement agreement. Permits the State to authorize liability insurance providers to adjust their rates for persons found liable by a panel or who have entered into certain settlement agreements. Establishes a schedule of attorney fees in professional negligence actions. Provides for installment payment of such fees according to a formula specified in this Act. Subjects an attorney violating fee provisions to civil liability, with jurisdiction over such actions granted to Federal district courts. Requires each State to establish programs to: (1) study the causes of professional negligence in the interest of developing means to prevent or reduce its incidence; (2) review the authority and operations of State medical liability claims plans, risk management bodies, and appropriate health care professional licensing or certification entities; and (3) develop educational materials relating to professional negligence and standards of health care practice. Directs the State health commissioner to develop programs to identify, investigate, and report on incidents of professional negligence and to encourage facilities to take action to prevent future negligence. Fixes a statute of limitations for professional negligence actions. Encourages States to permit parties to a claim filed with a panel to enter into a settlement agreement at any time prior to a panel decision. Subjects such a settlement to the same attorney fee schedule that governs panel decisions. Directs the Attorney General to make specified payments to States eligible for medical liability panel funds according to a specified timetable and schedule. Requires the Governor of a recipient State to report to the Attorney General within one year after receipt of payment concerning the use of such payment. Authorizes the Attorney General to determine the allocation of funds to qualifying States and prescribes guidelines for such determinations. Empowers the Attorney General to make decisions concerning compliance with this Act, termination of allocations and repayment of funds in the event of noncompliance, and reallocation of funds according to guidelines in this Act. Sets forth procedures, a timetable, and standards to govern application by the Governor of any State for the certification of programs to qualify a State for funding under this Act. Makes decisions by the Attorney General concerning noncompliance, the termination of allocations, State repayment of funds, and the reallocation of funds final and not subject to judicial review. Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national data base and computer tracking system to monitor health professionals sanctioned for disciplinary reasons. Requires State health professions licensing or certification boards to report instances of disciplinary action to the Secretary within 30 days after such action. Authorizes appropriations beginning in FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Assimilative Crimes Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that the criminal penalty for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol in a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States shall be the punishment provided under the law of that State, territory, possession, or district. States that whoever operates a motor vehicle in such a jurisdiction consents to certain tests if arrested for driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol. States that any person refusing to submit to such tests shall be denied the privilege of operating a motor vehicle for one year.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wortley, George C. [R-NY-27]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000752_200.jpg)