United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1992
Designates September 18, 1992, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown on a flagstaff of the White House, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service Commission, each national cemetery, and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on such day. Requires the flag to be flown on a flagstaff of each national cemetery and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1993 (Memorial Day), and on November 11, 1992 (Veterans Day). States that the flag shall be displayed as a symbol of national concern and commitment to resolving the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing, and unaccounted for.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins for the anniversaries of: (1) World War II; (2) the Battle of Normandy; and (3) "D-Day." Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue and mint such coins in five-dollar gold, one-dollar silver, and half-dollar clad denominations; and (2) determine the role that the American Battle Monuments Commission and the Battle of Normandy Foundation shall have in coin promotion and marketing. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial and to the Battle of Normandy Foundation to dedicate, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day and Battle of Normandy Memorial in Normandy, France. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) a comprehensive program to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects and coordinate related Federal efforts; and (2) an Inter-Agency Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects. Provides for related research, technical assistance, grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, surveillance and prevention programs, professional and public education, and diagnostic criteria. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
State Care Act of 1992 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI, State Comprehensive Health Coverage And Cost Containment Demonstration Projects, establishing a program under which the State-Based Comprehensive Health Care Commission (established below) is required to select States to participate in health coverage and cost containment demonstration projects (State Care projects). Establishes the State-Based Comprehensive Health Care Commission (the Commission) to review, approve, and oversee State Care projects. Authorizes appropriations. Requires States desiring grants to develop State Care projects to establish a State Health Care Authority through which to develop such projects. Exempts from this requirement States that have enacted comprehensive health care plans (State Care plans) within 12 months of enactment of this Act. Establishes Federal standards for approval of applications for grants for demonstrations in up to ten States. Specifies State Care plan requirements, including those for standard and basic benefit packages, cost-control mechanisms, and quality control procedures. Details the various items and services which constitute each respective package. Sets limits on the amount, scope, and duration of certain benefits under the standard package. Details cost-sharing under the respective packages, and provides for limits on out-of-pocket package expenses. Authorizes the Commission to award grants to States receiving approval of a State Care project grant application for: (1) establishment of a data base infrastructure necessary to measure and evaluate State Care plan success in achieving cost containment and access goals; and (2) consolidation of health care budgeting, regulating, financing, and delivery responsibilities of the State. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits payments under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) for State Care project services if payment for them may be made under the State Care plan. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to pay to each State participating in a State Care project an amount equal to the amount of any payments that, as a result of such prohibition, were not made under Medicaid because payment was made under the State Care plan. Sets forth provisions governing the application of Medicare (SSA title XVIII) and ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) with respect to any approved State Care project. Requires periodic reports by the Commission to the Congress on the reforms undertaken in States participating in State Care projects, along with recommendations for increased Federal funding for reform initiatives and project grants. Requires additional Commission reports on continued financing of State Care plans and, if no national comprehensive health care system has been established, on establishing such a system that utilizes the experiences of State Care projects.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Ethics in Referrals and Billing Act of 1992 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on physician referral and billing. Prohibits, subject to exceptions, referrals and related billing by physicians involving an entity in which the physician (or an immediate family member) has a financial relationship. Requires each entity providing health-related items or services to disclose certain information concerning the entity's ownership. Declares that no individual, entity, or third party payor shall be required to pay for items or services in connection with a prohibited referral. Makes any person collecting such payments liable to the payor. Requires insurance payors to report violation patterns. Provides for civil fines for persons repeatedly presenting bills, physicians repeatedly making referrals, and persons acting in concert in violation. Allows for violations: (1) suspension, revocation, or limitation of laboratory certificates; and (2) exclusion from any program under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Makes it unlawful, subject to exception, for any: (1) person who furnishes ancillary health services to present a bill to any person other than the patient receiving the services; or (2) physician to present a bill to any ancillary service recipient unless the services where furnished personally or under the supervision of the referring physician or a member of that physician's group practice or by individuals employed by that physician or group practice. Makes any person collecting payments for such services liable to the payor. Provides for civil fines for persons repeatedly presenting bills in violation. Allows, for violations: (1) suspension, revocation, or limitation of laboratory certificates; and (2) exclusion from any pogram under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1992
Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives Act - Mandates grants to States for the administrative costs of planning and implementing coordinated buying programs through which small employers may purchase employee health insurance. Requires that the programs be the sole mechanism for small employers to purchase such insurance. Allow exceptions for insurance purchased from certain associations that offer health insurance as a service to members. Requires that a State program provide each small employer in the State access to health insurance for its employees and their dependents through one or more Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives, each covering a defined geographic district. Regulates Cooperative governance. Sets forth Cooperative duties, including issuing contracts and administering all aspects of coverage for all small employers within the district. Waives Federal and State antitrust laws. Mandates that the State program require any small employer that chooses to provide a health benefit plan to do so by purchasing insurance through the Cooperative, nothwithstanding specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of of 1974. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the National Health Care Board. Requires the Board to establish Coordinated Buying Program Precepts setting forth certain criteria, including regarding a uniform data system, collection of outcomes data, and determining minimum benefit requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Board to establish minimum benefit requirements for plans offered through Cooperatives, including inpatient and outpatient hospital care and physician services, diagnostic tests, prenatal and well-baby care, preventive and early intervention services, and certain inpatient and outpatient mental disorder services. Declares that nothing in State law or this Act: (1) prohibits managed care or different levels of payments for different providers; or (2) requires payment to any provider excluded from participation in any Federal health care program. Requires the Board to establish minimum benefit requirements for two additional health benefit plans providing more extensive or more innovative benefits. Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to exempt from those provisions HMOs that provide services meeting the requirements under this Act. Establishes the National Health Insurance Data System, consisting of: (1) a National Data Base for Health Insurance and Health Outcomes Information; (2) no more than five Regional Health Insurance Data Centers; and (3) an electronic health insurance and outcomes data processing mechanism. Requires the Board to: (1) establish uniform billing and claims forms and mandatory reporting requirements; and (2) require carriers to issue to each participant an electronic processing card. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1992
Ready to Learn Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to establish Ready to Learn Television programs to: (1) expand availability of educational and instructional video programming and supporting educational resources for preschool and elementary school children as a tool to improve school readiness; and (2) develop and distribute such programming and support materials for parents, child care providers, and educators of young children. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to implement such programs. Directs the Secretary, in administering them, to: (1) set priorities regarding educational needs of preschool and elementary school children; (2) award grants for development and dissemination of such educational and instructional programming and of training materials; (3) establish a Special Projects of National Significance program of grants to develop programming and to support materials to address learning needs of young children in English-limited households, and to increase literacy skills among parents to assist them in teaching their children; (4) establish within the Department of Education a clearinghouse for information, referrals, and model program materials; (5) coordinate activities with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make such programming and training materials available to other federally funded programs serving preschool and elementary school children; (6) consult with the Secretary of Commerce regarding what the educational and information needs of preschool and elementary school children are for purposes of implementing specified requirements of the Children's Television Act of 1990; and (7) coordinate activities funded under this Act with those of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television established under the Communications Act of 1934. Sets forth requirements relating to awards of such grants for developing and distributing programming and training materials. Requires annual reports to the Secretary by grantees for programming and support materials development and distribution and biannual reports by the Secretary to relevant congressional committees on information and outreach for training parents and personnel. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a public broadcasting entity to distribute educational video programming for preschool and elementary school children, parents, and child care providers, on at least one channel under a specified satellite interconnection. Designates such channel the Ready to Learn Channel. Authorizes appropriations for Ready to Learn Television programs. Requires at least 60 percent of such funds to be used for grants to develop and distribute educational programming for children. Amends the Head Start Act (the Act) to revise various provisions for the Head Start program (the program). Extends for one additional year the formula for distribution of certain quality improvement funds allocated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), thus extending local determination of the use of such funds over that period. Requires early childhood intervention programs under the program to include parental literacy training among the services they provide for parents. Establishes guidelines which the Secretary of HHS must consider in determining whether a local Head Start agency may receive a waiver or reduction of required non-Federal matching funds. Includes consideration of community lack of resources, whether the community is adversely affected by a major disaster, impacts of program costs in initial years or unanticipated increases in operating costs, and impact on the community if the program were forced to close there. Directs the Secretary of HHS to issue transportation safety regulations for all Head Start programs. Directs the Secretary of HHS to review each newly designated Head Start agency immediately after completion of its first year and to conduct followup reviews of Head Start agencies when appropriate. Revises provisions for designation of Head Start agencies to include consideration of the applicant agency's effectiveness based on: (1) its plan to provide, directly or through referral, child development and literacy skills training to parents of participating children; and (2) its plan (if it chooses to do so) for assisting younger siblings of participants to obtain health services from other sources. Requires Head Start agencies to provide, directly or through referral, child development and literacy skills training to parents of participating children. Requires such agencies to consider providing services to assist younger siblings of participants to obtain health services from other sources. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish uniform procedures for Head Start agencies to request approval to purchase facilities to be used to carry out Head Start programs. Requires such request applications to include: (1) facility site description; (2) facility plans and specifications; (3) information demonstrating either that the purchase will result in a cost savings (compared to an alternative facility) or that there are no alternative facilities available; and (4) additional information and assurances that the Secretary of HHS requires. Makes certain technical amendments to the Act and to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Revises requirements for technical assistance, training, and staff qualifications. Provides for use of Head Start program funds to support an organization to administer a centralized child development and national assessment program leading to recognized credentials for personnel working in early child development and child care programs. (Current law allows administration of such program at the State or local level and limits such credentials to specialized or other personnel needed in connection with Head Start programs.) Directs the Secretary of HHS to: (1) develop a systematic approach to training Head Start personnel, including specific goals and objectives for program improvement and professional development, a process for continuing input from the Head Start community, and a strategy for delivering training and technical assistance; and (2) report on such approach to specified congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to provide (either directly or through grants) training for Head Start personnel in the use of the performing and visual arts and interactive programs using electronic media to enhance the learning experience of Head Start children.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1992
Congratulates the citizens of Israel on concluding fair and open democratic elections. Welcomes Prime Minister Rabin to the United States. Applauds his statements and actions encouraging active participation in the search for peace. Calls upon all parties in the region to actively and seriously engage in the peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1992
National Commission on School Finance to Meet the National Education Goals Act - Establishes the National Commission on School Finance to Meet the National Education Goals (the Commission), as an independent agency in the executive branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) study the research on innovations in practice to determine what will be necessary (including cost implications) to achieve the National Education Goals; (2) investigate the extent to which there is a Federal policy on educational equity of resources, Federal education laws promote such policy, there are alternatives to current school finance mechanisms, and schools and States can finance the reform demands implied in such goals; and (3) synthesize and evaluate existing information in specified areas relating to educational need-analysis, school finance, and educational program and cost data-gathering. Requires interim and final reports to the Congress. Provides for Commission administration. Terminates the Commission three years after the first meeting of its members. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1992
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend for one year the deadline for small- and medium- size water systems that serve 10,000 or fewer customers to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to: (1) the national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper; (2) phase II drinking water regulations for 26 synthetic organic chemicals and seven inorganic chemicals; and (3) phase V drinking water regulations for 18 synthetic organic chemicals and five inorganic chemicals. Requires the Administrator, with respect to such regulations, to conduct sufficient research and report to the Congress on: (1) the degree of health risks from non-compliance by small- and medium-size water systems; (2) the economic cost of compliance for the systems; and (3) other impacts on the systems.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1992
Chemical Control Amendments Act of 1992 - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (Comprehensive Act) to: (1) replace references to "listed precursor chemicals" with "list I chemicals" and "listed essential chemicals" with "list II chemicals"; and (2) revise the definition of "regulated person" to include individuals who act as brokers or traders for international transactions involving a listed chemical, tableting machine, or encapsulating machine. Redefines "regulated transaction" to: (1) include international transactions involving shipment of a threshold amount of a listed chemical; and (2) exclude any transaction in a chemical mixture (current law) which the Attorney General has designated as exempt based on a finding that the mixture is formulated in such a way that it cannot be easily used in the illicit production of a controlled substance and that the listed chemical or chemicals contained in the mixture cannot be readily recovered. Removes the exemption for products in which ephedrine is the only active medicinal ingredient in therapeutic amounts. Permits the Attorney General to remove by regulation the exemption for other drugs containing listed chemicals if it is determined that they are being diverted for use in the illicit production of a controlled substance. Sets forth criteria for making such determination. Permits manufactures to retain exemptions for specific drug products if they can demonstrate that such a product is manufactured and distributed in a way which prevents diversion. Provides registration requirements for list I chemicals, including the authority to revoke or deny based on public interest grounds, immediate suspension in cases of imminent danger to the public health or safety, and criminal penalties for distribution, importation, or exportation without the required registration. Specifies that registration is not required for distribution, importation, or exportation of drug products containing list I chemicals covered by the legal drug exemption. Requires each regulated person that manufactures a listed chemical to report annually to the Attorney General information concerning listed chemicals manufactured by such regulated person. Makes any person located in the United States who is a broker or trader for an international transaction in a listed chemical that is a regulated transaction solely because of that person's involvement as broker or trader, with respect to that transaction, subject to all of the notification, reporting, recordkeeping, and other requirements placed upon exporters of listed chemicals by the Comprehensive Act. Provides for exemption authority and additional penalties. Authorizes the Attorney General to reduce controls on the importation of specified chemicals by modifying or eliminating the advance notice requirement. Adds specific criminal penalties for: (1) attempting to evade reporting requirements by falsely claiming that a shipment is destined for a country for which a waiver has been established; and (2) smuggling of listed chemicals. Amends list I to add benzaldehyde and nitroethane, and delete D-lysergic acid, N-ethylephedrine, and N-ethylpseudoephedrine. Eliminates "regular supplier" status and creates "regular importer" status. Modifies the definition of "controlled premises" to include places where listed chemicals or records relating to the manufacture, distribution, or disposition of listed chemicals are maintained. Makes it a felony for a person who possesses a listed chemical with intent that it be used in the illegal manufacture of a controlled substance to manage the listed chemical or waste from the manufacture of a controlled substance other than as required under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Specifies that, in addition to a penalty that may be imposed for the illegal manufacture, possession, or distribution of a listed chemical or toxic residue of a clandestine laboratory, a person who violates such prohibition shall be assessed costs of the initial cleanup and disposal of the listed chemical and contaminated property and the cost of restoring property damaged by exposure to such chemical. Subjects listed chemicals to the same forfeiture provisions which apply to controlled substances. Amends the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make available to the Attorney General information in the national practitioner data bank.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1992
Monitored Retrievable Storage Facility Accountability Act - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from awarding certain Phase II-B grant funds earmarked to demonstrate successful preliminary intergovernmental coordination and siting possibilities unless the Nuclear Waste Negotiator reports that there is a reasonable likelihood that: (1) a certain agreement can be negotiated with the affected State, Indian tribe, or local governmental unit; (2) the monitored retrievable storage facility will be able to comply with the affected State's environmental laws; and (3) the Federal Government will be able to acquire all necessary water rights to construct and operate the monitored retrievable storage facility.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1992
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act) to revise and extend various vocational rehabilitation programs. Title I: Administration and Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Subtitle A: Administration - Revises provisions for findings, purpose, and policy under the Act. Revises or adds definitions of community rehabilitation programs (this term replaces rehabilitation facilities), employment outcomes, individuals with disabilities, personal assistance services, rehabilitation technology (replaces engineering), individuals with severe disabilities supported employment, assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs, assistive technology devices and services, disability, extended services, impartial hearing officers, independent living services, ongoing support services, supported employment services, and transition services. Sets the Federal share at 78.7 percent. (Currently the Federal share is 80 percent for payments less than or equal to the 1988 payment to the State, and 75 percent of any excess over the FY 1988 payment for FY 1993.) Requires annual reports to include information on types of rehabilitation technology services provided to each client in the preceding fiscal year. Allows recipients of grants under specified programs under the Act to carry over such funds for use in the next fiscal year. Adds client assistance information requirements. Requires all programs that provide services to individuals with disabilities under the Act to advise such individuals or their parents, guardians, or legal representatives of the availability and purposes of the client assistance program, including information on how to seek assistance under it. Subtitle B: Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Revises provisions for findings, purpose, and policy under title I (Vocational Rehabilitation Services) of the Act. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) basic grants for vocational rehabilitation services (in necessary amounts, but at least equal to the immediately preceding fiscal year, plus indexing for inflation); and (2) innovation and expansion grants (in necessary amounts). Revises the formula for determining amounts under specified provisions for extension of authorization or duration. Revises requirements for State plans under the Act to allow their submission to coincide with the intervals at which State plans are to be submitted under other Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Requires State plans to include certain provisions, as follows. Requires explanation of the methods by which the State will provide vocational rehabilitation services to all eligible individuals with disabilities. (Provides that State criteria shall determine those with the most severe disabilities, who are to receive such services first.) Requires description of how rehabilitation technology services will be provided at each stage of the rehabilitation process and on a statewide basis, and of the training to be provided for vocational rehabilitation counselors and client assistance and other related personnel. Requires assurance that facilities will comply with provisions for nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs under the Act and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Requires a comprehensive system of personnel development for professionals and paraprofessionals employed by the State agency, standards to ensure appropriate and adequate training of personnel, and minimum standards to ensure availability of personnel trained to communicate in the native language or mode of communication of the client. Provides that determinations regarding availability of comparable services and benefits under any other program are not required prior to the provision of services if an immediate job placement would be lost due to a delay in the provision of comparable benefits. Requires use of existing information available from other programs and providers (particularly education officials and the Social Security Administration) and information that can be provided by the individual with a disability or that individual's family in determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and choosing rehabilitation goals, objectives, and services. Revises provisions for interagency cooperation to specifically include arrangements for coordination of services to individuals eligible under Federal law which created the Committee on Purchases of Blind-made Products (the Wagner-O'Day Act). Provides that interagency cooperation includes, if appropriate: (1) establishing interagency working groups; and (2) entering into formal interagency cooperative agreements that identify policies, practices, and procedures that can be coordinated and describe available resources and financial responsibilities of each agency. Changes references to rehabilitation facilities and their condition to community rehabilitation programs and their effectiveness. Requires annual (currently periodic) review and reevaluation of the status of individuals placed in extended employment settings in community rehabilitation programs, including workshops, or other employment under specified provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for special certificates for employment of individuals with disabilities. Requires such review and reevaluation to: (1) include individual or family input; and (2) determine such individuals' interests, priorities, and needs for their employment, or training for competitive employment, in integrated settings in the labor market. Requires maximum efforts, including provision of vocational rehabilitation services, designed to promote movement from extended employment to integrated employment, including supported employment. Permits use of funds under title I of the Act for facilities construction, but only under special circumstances. Includes the views of the Director of the client assistance program among those that are to be considered in State and local policy planning under the Act. Requires that continuing studies and annual evaluation also form the basis for developing and updating a required strategic plan. Requires that public comment precede the development of the State plan. Requires the State agency to establish plans, policies, and methods (including entering into a formal interagency agreement with education officials responsible for public education of individuals with disabilities) to facilitate: (1) development and accomplishment of long-term goals and objectives, as well as those related to independent living before a student leaves a school setting, including coordination plans for transition services; and (2) transition from public education by an educational agency to vocational rehabilitation services by the designated State unit, including coordination plans for transition services. Adds State plan requirements for: (1) coordination and working relationships with the Statewide Independent Living Council and independent living centers; (2) a strategic plan to expand and improve vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities on a statewide basis; (3) description and assurance of the effectiveness of the system for evaluating performance of rehabilitation counselors, coordinators, and other personnel in State facilities; (4) description of State cooperation with disability organizations, business, industry, and labor to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including training and technical assistance with respect to changes made by this Act and methods of complying with specified employment and access requirements of the Act and with title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or otherwise ensuring equal opportunity for such individuals, regardless of whether they have applied for or are receiving vocational rehabilitation services under the Act; and (5) establishment of a State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, unless a consumer-controlled independent commission is responsible for overseeing the operation of the designated State agency, and specified conditions are met. Sets forth provisions for determinations of eligibility for assistance under title I of the Act, including: (1) general eligibility for an individual with a disability who requires vocational rehabilitation services in relation to gainful employment; (2) presumption of a physical or mental impairment which substantially impedes, and a serious such impairment which seriously limits, employment in the case of individuals who have a disability or are blind as determined under specified Social Security Act provisions; (3) appropriate use of determinations made by officials of other agencies, particularly certain education officials, as to whether an individual has a disability or severe disability; (4) presumption that an individual can benefit in employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services, unless the designated State unit can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that an individual is incapable of so benefitting (after extended evaluation, preliminary assessment, prompt determination except in unusual circumstances, and notification of reasons, rights, remedies, and client assistance). Revises provisions for the individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP). Requires the designated State unit, upon determination of individual eligibility for services, to complete an assessment (if necessary) to determine certain eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs. Requires the IWRP to be jointly developed, agreed upon, and signed by the individual (or parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative) and the vocational rehabilitation counselor or coordinator. Requires the IWRP to be designed to achieve the individual's employment objective, consistent with the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities. Requires the IWRP to include, among other items, statements of: (1) long-range goals based on the assessment of individual rehabilitation needs, and intermediate objectives determined through a needs assessment carried out in the most individualized and integrated setting (consistent with the individual's informed choice); (2) assessment and reassessment of expected need for extended services, if appropriate (as well as for postemployment services) and details on how such services will be provided or arranged; (3) terms and conditions under which goods and services will be provided to the individual; (4) identification of an entity or entities that will provide the services and of the process used to provide or procure such services; (5) the individual's own words (or those of a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative) describing how the individual was informed and involved in choosing among alternative goals, objectives, services, providers, and methods; (6) reasons why an individual for whom a program has been prepared is no longer eligible for services (if such an amendment is necessary); and (7) rights and remedies available to an individual. Requires the designated State unit to furnish a copy of the IWRP and amendments to the individual with a disability (or, if appropriate, a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative). Requires selection of the impartial hearing officer for a case, either on a random basis or by agreement of the Director of the designated State unit (Director) and the individual with a disability, from among a pool of qualified persons identified jointly by the designated State unit and consumer members of the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council (or the consumer-controlled independent commission(s)). Prohibits the Director from overturning or modifying any part of such officer's decision that supports the individual's position, unless the Director concludes (based on clear and convincing evidence) that such decision is clearly erroneous because it is contrary to Federal or State law, including policy. Requires the Director to make a final decision in writing, including a full report of findings and grounds, and provide a copy to the individual. Prohibits suspension, reduction, or termination of services being provided under an IWRP, pending a final determination of such a hearing or other final resolution of administrative review, unless the individual so requests or unless the individual has obtained such services through misrepresentation, fraud, collusion, or criminal conduct. Revises provisions relating to the scope of vocational rehabilitation services under title I of the Act to include: (1) assessment to determine eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs by qualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology; (2) maintenance for additional costs incurred while participating in rehabilitation; (3) referral and other services to help secure needed services from other agencies through agreements, if such services are not available under the Act; (4) transition services to help accomplish long-term rehabilitation goals and intermediate objectives; (5) on-the-job or other related personal assistance services to assist individual performance of work-related functions necessary to obtain and retain competitive work in an integrated work setting and to fulfill individual job functions while actively involved in a rehabilitation program that includes other title I services; and (6) supported employment services. Allows title I vocation rehabilitation services, when provided for the benefit of groups of individuals, to also include costs of: (1) establishing a community rehabilitation program; or (2) construction, under special circumstances, of a facility for such a program. Requires a State, in order to be eligible for assistance under title I of the Act, to establish a State Rehabilitation Advisory Council (and a separate Council for individuals who are blind if there is a separate State agency to administer that part of vocational rehabilitation services for such individuals) to review and advise the designated State unit. Allows a State, as an alternative to establishing such a Council, to have a consumer-controlled independent commission (or commissions if there is a separate agency for rehabilitation of individuals who are blind) to oversee the operation of the designated State unit. Requires that a majority of Council members be individuals with disabilities and not employed by the designated State unit. Requires such Councils to coordinate with other appropriate councils within the State. Requires such Councils to submit annual reports to State Governors or appropriate State entities and to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) (the Commissioner). Requires the Council to prepare, in conjunction with the designated State unit, a plan for provision of resources, including staff, to carry out Council functions. Prohibits financial conflict of interest by members voting. Allows a State that has established a comparable Council to be considered as complying with such Council requirements. Requires development and implementation of evaluation standards and performance indicators for the vocational rehabilitation services program under title I of the Act, in accordance with specified procedures including public comment. Requires annual State reports to the Commissioner on the extent of State compliance with such standards and indicators. Directs the Commissioner and any State whose performance is below established standards to jointly develop a program improvement plan. Directs the Commissioner to biannually review such State's program improvement efforts, request further revisions where necessary, and continue such review until satisfactory performance is sustained for more than one year. Requires reductions or terminations of payments to any State failing to enter into or comply with a necessary performance improvement plan. Directs the Commissioner to include, in the annual report to the Congress, an analysis of program performance, with relative State performance, based on such standards and indicators. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) provide for annual review and periodic on-site monitoring of programs under title I of the Act; and (2) determine whether States are complying with State plan provisions and with evaluation standards and performance indicators. Sets forth procedures for such reviews and monitoring. Requires the Commissioner to provide technical assistance to programs to improve the quality of services, and corrective action plans for programs not in compliance with plans, standards, or indicators. Requires withholding of payments in cases of State agency failures to comply in administration of a State plan, in accordance with specified procedures for notification and judicial review of withholding determinations. Provides that unused payments to a State shall remain available for reallotment to other States until reallotted. Modifies State maintenance of effort requirements relating to amounts of payments to States. Allows client assistance programs (CAPs) to provide assistance and advocacy with respect to services directly related to facilitating the employment of the individual. Adds to the procedural requirements limiting redesignation of the agency conducting a CAP. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for grants to States for CAPs under title I of the Act. Revises provisions for innovation and expansion grants under part C of title I of the Act. Requires any State desiring to receive assistance under this part C (and under part B basic grants) to submit to the Commissioner a strategic plan to develop and use innovative approaches for achieving long-term success in expanding and improving vocational rehabilitation services (including supported employment services) provided under the State plan and the supplement. Sets forth requirements for the contents of, and the process of developing, such strategic plans. Allows States to use part C funds to improve: (1) working relationships between vocational rehabilitation services and independent living services; (2) vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with the most severe disabilities; (3) services to classes of individuals with unusual or complex rehabiitation needs; (4) use of rehabilitation technology, including appropriate evaluation and adaptation of the workplace or training program; and (5) functioning of the services delivery system and coordination with other entities, including development of an integrated system of community-based vocational rehabilitation service with appropriate transitions between service systems. Allows States to also use part C funds to support: (1) ensuring the effectiveness of the annual evaluation of programs and personnel; (2) initiating, expanding, or improving a comprehensive system of personnel development; (3) training and technical assistance to consumers, business, industry, labor, community rehabilitation programs, and others regarding implementation of amendments made by this Act, of title V (Access) provisions of the Act, and of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (4) funding of the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council and the Statewide Independent Living Council. Sets forth provisions for part C innovation and expansion grants allotments among States, and increases the minimum allotment. Repeals outdated provisions for a study of needs of American Indians with handicaps. Directs the Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive review of the current system for collecting and reporting client data under the Act, particularly under title I programs. Sets forth requirements relating to considerations, recommendations, other views, and a report to the Congress on such review. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to exchange data of mutual importance, on clients of State vocational rehabilitation agencies, contained in specified databases of the RSA and the Social Security Administration. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for: (1) implementing an order of selection for vocational rehabilitation services under specified provisions of title I of the Act if such services cannot be provided to all eligible applicants; and (2) criteria for selecting vocational rehabilitation services under title I and procuring such services directly by the individual (with specific procedures to ensure such services' sufficient scope, quality, and reasonable costs, and prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse in provision of such services). Allows a State to continue until October 1, 1994, to use Social Security reimbursement payments generated under the State vocational rehabilitation program under title I of the Act or the State supported employment services program under part C of title VI of the Act to support allowable expenditures under any other rehabilitation program under the Act (if such State did so during FY 1992). Title II: Research - Revises the declaration of purpose under title II (Research and Training) of the Act. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the expenses of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (the Institute); and (2) all other programs under title II of the Act. Revises provisions for the Institute's functions and its Director's responsibilities to require wide dissemination of: (1) information on activities funded by the Institute; and (2) educational materials to various public and private entities, including rehabilitation practitioners, individuals with disabilities, and their families, concerning ways to maximize such individuals' full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency (and requires pertinence to such concerns in the Institute's conferences, seminars, and workshops on advances in rehabilitation research and technology). Requires the Institute to report annually to the President and appropriate congressional committees on title II programs and activities, including information on specific advancements and developments and specific impact on vocational rehabilitation services and quality of life for individuals with disabilities, and how such information was disseminated. Includes the Health Care Financing Administration among the entities with which the Institute may jointly produce certain statistical reports and studies (which are to be widely disseminated to various entities, including individuals with disabilities and their families). Requires Institute coordination with the Attorney General with respect to provision of information, training, or technical assistance regarding the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 to ensure consistency with the technical assistance plan under such Act. Requires the Institute's Deputy Director (as well as its Director) to have substantial experience in rehabilitation and in research administration. Includes individuals with disabilities among the highly qualified research fellows who may receive Institute fellowships. Includes knowledgeable individuals with disabilities and family members of individuals with disabilities among those who may comprise peer review groups for scientific review of research grants and programs over which the Institute has authority. Requires that individuals comprising such groups be selected from a pool of qualified individuals. Directs the Secretary to provide for training such individuals and for mechanisms to receive input from individuals with disabilities and their representatives. Revises provisions for use of title II funds. Revises provisions for a long-range plan for rehabilitation research to require such plan to: (1) identify any research which should be conducted regarding the inclusion and integration into society of individuals with disabilities, especially in the area of employment; (2) be developed in consultation with the Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council and after full consideration of input of individuals with disabilities and their families, organizations representing such individuals, providers of services under the Act, and researchers in the rehabilitation field; (3) include plans for widespread dissemination of research results in practical formats to diverse types of individuals and groups; (4) be developed by the Institute's Director (the Director) in coordination with the Commissioner, and in consultation with the Secretary, officials administrating the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Interagency Committee, individuals with disabilities and their families, and other appropriate persons; and (5) be revised at least once every five years and whenever the Director determines necessary. Revises provisions relating to the comprehensive and coordinated research program and pediatric rehabilitation research. Requires that certain grants to institutions of higher education be for training rehabilitation researchers, including individuals with disabilities, with particular attention to areas of research that improve effectiveness of services under the Act. Eliminates outdated provisions for a certain report, recommendations, and study. Revises provisions for an Interagency Committee to include as members the Commissioner (of RSA) and the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Requires such Committee to first receive input from individuals with disabilities and their families before carrying out its identification, assessment, and coordination duties with respect to research related to such individuals' rehabilitation. Revises various purposes and emphases of required research grant and contract programs relating to multiple and interrelated needs of individuals with disabilities. Includes under such required programs demonstration projects, training, and related activities to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology to maximize such individuals' (especially those with severe disabilities) full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency, and to improve effectiveness of services under the Act. Revises provisions for discretionary grants to pay all or part of the cost of specialized research activities. Revises provisions for such discretionary grants for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers to allow such centers to be operated in collaboration with providers of rehabilitation services or other appropriate services (as an alternative to the current collaboration, which is retained, with institutions of higher education). Revises required functions and authorized activities of such centers. Requires, to be eligible to receive a center grant, each institution or provider to: (1) be of size, scope, and quality to effectively carry out center activities in an efficient manner consistent with appropriate State and Federal law; and (2) have the ability to carry out the training activities either directly or through another entity. Requires that center grants be competitive and be for five-year periods, but allows a grant for a lesser period if the recipient is new or the grant supports new or innovative research. Revises provisions for such discretionary grants for Rehabilitation Technology Research and Resource Centers (currently named Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers). Revises provisions for such center research and demonstration activities. Requires such centers, to the extent consistent with such activities, to: (1) assist, train, and provide information to individuals with disabilities and their families to increase awareness and understanding of how rehabilitation technology can address their needs, and of the range of available options, programs, services, and resources; and (2) train individuals, including those with disabilities, to become rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners. Lists specified life and functional areas as areas of focus for such centers' activities. Authorizes the Director to fund an additional center, with an area of focus not identified in such list, to conduct research and demonstration activities relating to emerging program trends and technologies (based on public input and the recommendation of the Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council). Requires each such center to have an advisory committee with: (1) a majority membership of individuals with disabilities who use rehabilitative technology (or their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives); and (2) a full membership broadly representative of individuals and groups with an interest in rehabilitation technology, including providers, manufacturers, funders, practitioners, and minority group members. Requires such grants to be competitive and for five year periods, but allows lesser periods in cases of new recipients or new or innovative research. Revises provisions for such discretionary grants for spinal cord injury research. Adds provisions for discretionary research grants for: (1) model personal assistance services systems and other innovative service programs; and (2) model systems of comprehensive service delivery to individuals with severe disabilities other than spinal cord injuries requiring a multidisciplinary system of providing vocational and other rehabilitation services. Revises provisions for such discretionary grants for rehabilitation of children or older individuals (including older American Indians) who are individuals with disabilities. Allows such research program to include projects designed to assist adjustment of, or maintain as residents in the community, older workers with disabilities on leaving the work force. Allows waiver of the requirement of a peer review site visit before a discretionary research grant may be made, if the Director determines there is sufficient information to make an award without a site visit. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Education a Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council, to advise the Director with respect to research priorities and the development and revision of the long-range plan. Requires Council members to be: (1) appointed by the Secretary; and (2) generally representative of the communities of rehabilitation professionals, rehabilitation researchers, and individuals with disabilities and their families (with at least one-half of the Council members being such individuals or their family members). Title III: Training and Demonstration Projects - Revises and renames title III of the Act (currently Special Federal Responsibilities) as Training and Demonstration Projects, with a part A, Training Programs and Community Rehabilitation Programs (currently Construction and Training Programs), and a part B, Special Projects (currently Special Projects and Supplementary Services). Revises title III grant and contract programs to replace construction of rehabilitation facilities with development and improvement of community rehabilitation programs. Provides for training for skilled personnel to provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities through various types of programs, and for training and information for such individuals and their families to develop skills to access the system and become active decisionmakers. Revises provisions for discretionary grants and contracts for personnel training, to provide for: (1) addressing needs for rehabilitation technology services; (2) specific training for personnel to deliver services, through supported employment programs, to individuals with the most severe disabilities; (3) recipients submitting detailed descriptions of strategies to be used to recruit and train minority group members and individuals with disabilities; (4) the Commissioner to furnish training services provided under the Act, as well as training regarding the applicability of specified access provisions of the Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990); (5) targeting funds to areas of personnel shortage; (6) allowable personnel training in various rehabilitation fields and services; and (7) revision of individual employment requirements as an alternative to individual repayment of scholarships for such rehabilitation personnel training. Revises provisions for grants for training interpreters for individuals who are deaf to include training for interpreters for individuals who are deaf-blind. Revises provisions for compensation of experts and consultants. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations in necessary amounts for personnel training grants and contracts. Reserves at least 20 percent of such funds for allocation to designated State agencies for projects for inservice training of rehabilitation personnel (including projects for recruitment and retention, succession planning, leadership development and capacity building, and training on amendments made by this Act). Allows such reservation to be less than 20 percent if it would result in a lower level of funding for projects being carried out on the date of enactment of this Act by other recipients of such funds. Establishes a program of special training initiatives, including: (1) grants and contracts for rehabilitation training projects for rehabilitation personnel, impartial hearing officers, and individuals with disabilities and their families or representatives; (2) grants for training and information for individuals with disabilities and their families or representatives. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such special training initiatives. Revises (and renames) provisions for community rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for grants and contracts for such programs. Includes specified types of training and services under the vocational rehabilitation services offered by such programs. Authorizes the Commissioner to make additional grants to assist various entities in meeting costs of planning, services, and initial staffing of such programs. Provides that loan guarantees for facilities for community rehabilitation programs may be given only under special circumstances. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive rehabilitation centers. Revises general grant and contract requirements under title III of the Act. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for title III part B special projects and supplementary services. Eliminates provisions for renovating and constructing facilities under special demonstration programs provisions. Establishes a program of discretionary grants by the Commissioner to various entities to increase client choice in the rehabilitation process, including the choice of providers of vocational rehabilitation services. (Replaces specified requirements relating to assisted special demonstration projects which provide services to individuals with spinal cord injuries.) Revises provisions for special projects and demonstrations providing supported employment. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for discretionary grants for such projects and demonstrations. Revises provisions for model statewide transitional planning services. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for discretionary grants for such services. Establishes programs of discretionary grants by the Commissioner to various entities for special and demonstration projects: (1) providing appropriate incentives to vocational rehabilitation counselors to achieve high quality placements for individuals with severe disabilities; (2) supporting models for a variety of community-based, coordinated services to help the transition of individuals with disabilities from rehabilitation hospital, nursing home, or comparable programs to programs providing independent living services in the community; and (3) relating to management and service delivery systems of vocational rehabilitation programs under the Act (or studying such systems). Revises provisions for discretionary grants for special or demonstration projects for vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers (and their families). Allows such grants to be made to nonprofit agencies working in collaboration with the designated State agency (as well as to such State agency and local agencies). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such migratory workers program. Revises provisions for special recreational programs. Includes vocational skills development under authorized activities of such programs. Sets a maximum grant period of three years. Allows renewal of a grant if the Commissioner determines that the recipient will continue to develop model or innovative programs of exceptional merit or will contribute substantially to developing or improving special recreational programs in other locations. Sets forth requirements for applications and maintenance of service levels. Sets the Federal share at 90, 75, and 50 percent, respectively, in the first, second, and third years. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for mandatory grants by the Commissioner for special recreational programs. Establishes a program of discretionary grants by the Commissioner to designated State units to provide independent living services and related services to assist older individuals who are blind to adjust to blindness by becoming more able to care for individual needs. Allow recipient State agencies to make subgrants to other entities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such grants program for independent living services for older individuals who are blind. Title IV: National Council on Disability - Revises provisions for the National Council on Disability (Council) (title IV of the Act). Directs the President to select Council members after soliciting recommendations from representatives of: (1) organizations representing a broad range of individuals with disabilities; and (2) organizations interested in individuals with disabilities. Requires Council members to: (1) be individuals with disabilities; or (2) have substantial knowledge or experience relating to disability policy or programs. Requires that a majority of Council members be individuals with disabilities, or parents or guardians of such individuals. Sets forth as revised Council's purpose the promotion of policies, programs, practices, and procedures to: (1) guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of nature or severity; and (2) empower such individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. Provides for three-year terms, with no member to serve more than two consecutive full terms. Changes the Council's duties regarding the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (the Institute) from establishing general policies for it and reviewing its operation to advising its Director on its policies and administration, including suggesting ways of improving its research and collection and dissemination of research findings. Revises other duties. Adds to Council duties continuing review and evaluation of new and emerging disability policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities at the Federal, State, and local levels and in the private sector, including specified issues and policies. Requires the Council to prepare and submit to the President and appropriate congressional committees a progress report on national disability policy by October 30, 1993, and annually thereafter. Requires the Council to seek public input, particularly that of individuals with disabilities, organizations representing a broad range of such individuals, and organizations interested in such individuals. Requires, by 1995, that one such report include information and analysis on State and Federal implementation of the amendments made by this Act. Revises provisions for compensation of council members and staff. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the Council. Title V: Access - Revises and renames title V of the Act as Access (currently Miscellaneous Provisions). Repeals specified provisions relating to the effect on existing law and other matters. Revises provisions relating to employment of individuals with disabilities at the Federal level. Provides for use of the same standards as those under specified provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in determining whether these provisions of the Act have been violated in a complaint alleging nonaffirmative action employment discrimination. Refers to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board as the Access Board. Includes the Department of Commerce among the agencies represented on such Board and increases the number of Board members by one. Revises provisions for terms of office. Revises provisions for Board functions, investigations, hearings, interagency agreements, reports, and assessments. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such Access Board. Revises requirements for employment of individuals with disabilities under Federal contracts. Increases to $10,000 (from $2,500) the minimum contract amount which triggers such requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive such requirements under specified conditions. Provides for use of the same standards those under specified provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in determining violations of such requirements in complaints alleging nonaffirmative action employment discrimination. Requires development of procedures to ensure nonduplication of effort and consistent standards with respect to complaints filed under these requirements of the Act and under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Revises provisions for nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs to require the same standards as under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Revises provisions for electronic and information technology accessibility guidelines. Title VI: Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities - Revises provisions for employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities (title VI of the Act). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for part A community service employment pilot programs for individuals with disabilities. Revises part A to make conforming language changes. Revises part B provisions for projects with industry and business opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Makes conforming language changes. Revises part B program purposes and project requirements. Revises provisions for types of entities which may be grant recipients and for eligibility of individuals for services from such recipients based on State agency determinations. Includes under annual reporting requirements information on number of project participants who were terminated from project placements and the duration of those placements. Authorizes the Commissioner to include, as part of program agreements, authority for grant recipients to provide technical assistance for: (1) employers in hiring individuals with disabilities or meeting requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to such employment; or (2) improving or developing relationships between current or prospective grant recipients and employers or organized labor. Revises part C of title VI, Supported Employment Services for Individuals with Severe Disabilities. Authorizes allotments, in addition to title I grants for vocational rehabilitation services, to assist States in developing collaborative programs with appropriate entities to provide supported employment services for those individuals with the most severe disabilities who require such services to enter or retain competitive employment. Directs the Secretary to make such allotments based on relative State population, but provides for minimum allotments. Allows such funds to be used to provide supported employment services to eligible individuals under this part. Prohibits funds under this part, title I, or specified title III provisions from being used to provide extended services to individuals eligible under this part or title I. Sets forth part C requirements for individual eligibility, State plan supplements, restrictions, and savings provisions. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such part C supported employment services for individuals with severe disabilities. Title VII: Centers for Independent Living and Independent Living Services - Revises title VII of the Act, Centers for Independent Living and Independent Living Services. Revises part A general provisions for program purpose and definitions. Provides for consumer control of centers for independent living. Revises requirements for State plans under title VII. Requires the plan to be jointly signed by the Director of the designated State unit and the chairperson of the Statewide Independent Living Council. Requires such plans to specify objectives and timelines for their achievement. Requires, under the State plan, that the State will provide independent living services to individuals with severe disabilities in accordance with an independent living plan mutually agreed upon by the individual and an appropriate staff member of the service provider, unless the individual signs a waiver stating that such a plan is unnecessary. Requires State plans to also include provisions relating to: (1) scope and arrangement of services; (2) statewide network of centers; (3) working relationships among the Statewide Council, the designated State unit, and other appropriate entities; (4) coordination of part B services with part C centers and of Federal and State funding; (5) outreach; (6) requirements for recipients of assistance; (7) evaluation; and (8) administrative costs. Requires that the Statewide Independent Living Council (which must be established in order for the State to receive title VII funds) not be an entity within another State agency. Revises provisions relating to such Council's appointment and its composition of required and optional members and their qualifications (a majority must be individuals with disabilities and not employed by any State agency or center for independent living). Revises Council functions and powers. Allows use of comparable councils. Sets forth title VII responsibilities of the Commissioner for: (1) approval of State plans; (2) development of minimum compliance indicators; (3) on-site compliance reviews; and (4) reports. Extends the authorization of appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997, for title VII: (1) part B, Independent Living Services; (2) part C, Centers for Independent Living; and (3) part D, Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights. Sets forth part B provisions for independent living services. Requires allotments based on relative State population and minimum allotments. Sets the Federal share at 90 percent. Requires States to use part B funds to provide specified resources relating to the Statewide Council. Allows States to use part B funds for: (1) provision of independent living services; (2) demonstrations of ways to expand and improve such services; (3) support for operation of centers for independent living; (4) support for increasing other entities' capacity to develop comprehensive approaches or systems for providing such services; (5) studies, information-gathering, model policies and procedures, and recommendations to policymakers to enhance such services; (6) training individuals with disabilities, service providers, and others regarding independent living philosophy; and (7) outreach to unserved and underserved populations. Sets forth part C provisions for centers for independent living. Sets forth allotment requirements, including reservation of funds for grants for training and technical assistance, funding priorities, review of applications, and prohibition on combined funds. Provides for allotment based on relative State populations and minimum allotments. Sets forth transition rules. Provides that part C grants to centers for independent living shall be made by: (1) the Commissioner, directly, in States in which Federal funding exceeds State funding; and (2) the director of the designated State unit in States where State funding equals or exceeds Federal funding. Sets forth separate provisions, with respect to these two procedures for making grants, for awards to eligible agencies, existing eligible agencies, new centers, current centers, order of priorities, review, and enforcement by the Commissioner or the director of the designated State unit (and on-site compliance reviews and adverse actions by that director). Requires such assisted centers for independent living to comply with specified standards relating to philosophy, provision of services, goals, community options, independent living core services, activities to increase community capacity, and resource development activities. Requires eligible agencies to provide specified assurances to the Commissioner. Defines eligible agency as a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency. Sets forth alternative provisions for centers operated by State agencies, if there is no approved application by a nonprofit private agency. Sets forth transition provisions. Sets forth part D provisions for protection and advocacy of individual rights. Revises program purpose, authorization, and allotments. Reserves funds for technical assistance. Requires that a system, to be eligible for assistance under this part, to be a protection and advocacy system established under specified provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and to meet specified requirements under this Act for: (1) annual statements of objectives, priorities, and coordination; (2) client grievance procedures that assure full access for individuals with disabilities; and (3) assurances of supplementation of non-Federal funds. Provides for direct funding by the Secretary of allotments to systems under this part C, unless the system designates another entity to receive payment. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate administration of this part C program to the Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Health and Human Services. Title VIII: Amendments to Other Acts - Subtitle A: Helen Keller National Center - Amends the Helen Keller National Center Act to revise and reauthorize various provisions of such Act. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Includes under the definition of an individual who is deaf-blind one who is determined to be so through functional and performance assessment, even if no accurate measure of hearing and vision loss can be obtained due to cognitive or behavioral constraints. Authorizes the establishment of the Helen Keller Center Federal Endowment Fund. Sets forth reporting and other requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such Fund. Makes technical and conforming changes of language under such Act with respect to individuals who are deaf-blind. Subtitle B: Other Programs - Amends the Wagner-O'Day Act and the Small Business Act to make certain conforming changes of language with respect to people who are blind and severely disabled. Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education, in making specified grants, to provide for training or retraining of regular education teachers who are involved in providing instruction to individuals who are deaf and are not certified as teachers of such individuals, in order to meet the communication needs of such individuals (such authority is transferred from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). Directs the Secretary of Education to issue, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, a Notice of Inquiry concerning the definition of serious emotional disturbance as used in IDEA. Sets forth requirements for: (1) a public comment period; (2) inclusion of a proposed definition in such notice; and (3) a report containing a summary of public comments, and recommendations for an amendment to IDEA with respect to such definition. Amends the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 to make certain changes in language with respect to public or private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education. Amends a specified Joint Resolution with respect to the President's Committee on National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week (now National Disability Employment Awareness Month) to change references to handicapped persons to persons with disabilities. Extends certain provisions under such Joint Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Objectives and Definitions - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) to make as an OAA objective the provision of support to family members and other persons providing voluntary care to older individuals needing long-term care services. Adds the definitions of various terms to OAA, including "elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation." Title II: Administration - Adds to the prohibition against delegation of Commissioner on Aging functions to any other officer not directly responsible to the Commissioner those functions of the Commissioner carried out through regional offices. Adds the following as new functions of the Associate Commissioner on American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging: (1) promoting coordination between programs established under OAA titles III (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) and VI (Grants for Native Americans); (2) acting as an advocate for Native Americans with the Indian Health Service; and (3) collecting and disseminating information regarding elder abuse, in-home care, health programs, and other problems unique to Native Americans. Establishes the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs in the Administration on Aging (AOA), to be headed by an Associate Commissioner for Ombudsman Programs who shall serve as an advocate on behalf of long-term care facility residents within HHS and with other Federal departments and agencies. Directs the AOA Commissioner to: (1) establish and operate the National Ombudsman Resource Center to provide training, technical assistance, and information to State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, analyze laws, regulations, programs, and practices, and provide assistance regarding recruitment and retention of volunteer ombudsmen; (2) issue regulations, and conduct strict monitoring of State compliance with requirements in effect, to prohibit conflicts of interest; (3) encourage, and provide technical assistance to, States and area agencies on aging (State and area agencies) to carry out outreach with respect to assistance under the SSI and Medicaid programs (titles XVI and XIX respectively of the Social Security Act (SSA)) and food stamp program; (5) establish information and assistance services as priority services; (6) develop guidelines for area agencies to follow in choosing and evaluating legal assistance providers and developers; (7) develop a model job description for legal assistance developers; (8) study ways in which Federal funds might be more effectively targeted to older low-income minorities and older rural residents to better meet the needs of States with a disproportionate number of older individuals in greatest need, as well as States with disproportionate numbers of older individuals generally; and (9) take other specified actions, including those with respect to establishing the National Center on Elder Abuse and the National Aging Information Center. Outlines funding requirements for the National Ombudsman Resource Center and the National Center on Elder Abuse. Requires the AOA Commissioner to coordinate, advise, consult and cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in carrying out the Community Service Employment Program for Older Americans and with ACTION in carrying out OAA. Requires the Labor Secretary to consult and cooperate with the AOA Commissioner in carrying out the Job Training Partnership Act. Requires the head of each Federal entity administering programs and services substantially related to OAA objectives to collaborate with the AOA Commissioner and develop an analysis of the impact of such programs and services on older individuals (with particular attention on older low-income minority individuals), and on the functions and responsibilities of State and area agencies. Includes as programs related to the purposes of OAA the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires the AOA Commissioner to consult and coordinate with State agencies, area agencies on aging, and Native American grant recipients in the development of Federal goals, regulations, program instructions, and policies under OAA. Establishes class memberships for individuals newly appointed to serve on the Federal Council on the Aging. Makes it a duty of the Council to advise the AOA Commissioner directly on matters affecting the special needs of older individuals for services and assistance under OAA. Authorizes appropriations. Makes mandatory currently discretionary interim Council reports to the President. Provides for a nutrition officer with responsibility over nutrition services provided under OAA title III. Revises program evaluation provisions. Requires that the annual report on the long-term care ombudsman program be compiled by March 1 of each year, rather than by January 15 as is currently required. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance and appropriate material to agencies carrying out nutrition education programs. Authorizes appropriations for OAA program administrative expenses and AOA salaries and expenses. Requires the AOA Commissioner to study and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of State long-term care ombudsman programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to arrange to establish study committees working through the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the quality of board and care facilities for older individuals; and (2) the quality of home care services to them. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: State and Community Programs on Aging - Amends OAA title III to add: (1) to the list of purposes for such title the securing of the opportunity for older individuals to receive managed in-home and community-based long-term care services; and (2) to the list of entities that are to cooperate with State and area agencies other State agencies, including those that administer home and community programs, and organizations representing or employing older individuals or their families. Modifies the definition of "comprehensive and coordinated system." Authorizes appropriations. Revises allotment provisions. Sets a minimum annual allotment of $50,000 per State for supportive activities for caretakers. Mandates withholding of allotments for those States which have not had their intrastate funding formula approved. Adds provisions with respect to outreach demonstration projects and volunteer services coordinators. Makes the designated State agency primarily responsible for the planning, policy development, administration, coordination, priority setting, and evaluation of all State activities related to OAA objectives. Requires that the intrastate funding formula be developed in consultation with area agencies and take into account older individuals distributed both throughout the State and, with respect to older individuals in greatest need, among agency planning and services areas, with particular attention to older low-income minority individuals. Requires submission of such formula to the AOA Commissioner, who shall approve it, rather than review and comment upon it as currently required, once it is found to fulfill OAA requirements. Requires the designated State agency to provide assurances that it will require the use of outreach efforts to identify individuals eligible for OAA assistance and inform them of the availability of such assistance. Requires the designated State agency to: (1) set specific goals for each planning and service area for providing services to older low-income minority individuals; (2) provide assurance that it will undertake specific program development, advocacy, and outreach efforts focused on the needs of such minority individuals; and (3) provide a description of its efforts in this regard. Declares that whenever a State agency initiates an action or proceeding to revoke the designation of an area agency, designate an additional planning and service area, divide the State into different such areas, or otherwise affect planning and service area boundaries, it must establish and follow procedures to provide due process to affected parties. Revises area and State plan provisions. Revises provisions concerning the transfer of funds between: (1) supportive and nutrition services programs; and (2) congregate and home delivered nutrition services programs. Allows the AOA Commissioner to reimburse States for supplies in the event of a major disaster declared by the President in accordance with the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Requires the AOA Commissioner to advance at least 75 percent of the disaster relief reimbursement to the State within five days of the President's disaster declaration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain, for FY 1992, a level of assistance equal to the greater of: (1) a per meal reimbursement rate equal to the amount appropriated, divided by the number of meals served in the preceding fiscal year; or (2) 61 cents per meal. Provides for Consumer Price Index adjustment of the 61 cents per meal for FY 1993 and subsequent fiscal years. Provides that in each fiscal year the final reimbursement claims shall be adjusted to use the full amount appropriated for that fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for the surplus commodities distribution program. Directs the AOA Commissioner to require entities that provide in-home services to promote specified rights of the older individual who receives such services. Adds certain new supportive services to the list of those currently authorized under OAA title III. Allows congregate and home delivered nutrition projects to operate in rural areas at a frequency that is less than the frequency currently required. Repeals certain dietary requirements for such projects. Requires the AOA Commissioner to consult with representatives from the Dietary Managers Association in developing criteria for furnishing meals under home delivered nutrition projects. Adds two new subparts entitled "School-Based Meals for Volunteer Older Individuals and Multigenerational Programs" and "General Provisions" to part C (Nutrition Services) of OAA title III under which: (1) a new program will provide meals to older individuals who do volunteer work in public schools; and (2) current nutrition projects will provide meals that comply with certain dietary guidelines and allowances. Authorizes the addition of other in-home services (as defined under area and State plans) to the list of in-home services currently authorized under OAA title III. Gives OAA title III part F (Preventive Health Services) the new name "Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services" and adds additional services which may be provided under it. States that the services provided under such part shall not include those for which payment may be made under SSA title XVIII (Medicare). Modifies and shifts to a new OAA title VII (Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities) the OAA title III part G program for the prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older individuals. Repeals the old part G program. Adds a new part G program entitled "Supportive Activities for Caretakers Who Provide In-Home Services to Frail Older Individuals" under which the AOA Commissioner shall carry out a State grant program to provide supportive activities for caretakers who provide in-home services to frail older individuals. Lists those activities which constitute supportive activities. Includes the maintenance of lists of individuals who provide respite services as a supportive activity. Title IV: Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs - Amends OAA title IV (Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs) to require the AOA Commissioner to: (1) consult annually with State and area agencies, Native American grant recipients, and other entities and individuals in developing priorities for grants and contracts; and (2) ensure that grants and contracts are evaluated for their benefit to older individuals and OAA programs and comply with OAA requirements. Makes such education and training projects emphasize attracting minority personnel to the field of aging in order to help meet critical shortages of adequately training personnel for programs in that field. Makes it a purpose of grants and contracts to provide education and training for practitioners in the field of gerontology. Makes in-service training emphasize using culturally sensitive practices to respond to the needs of older individuals. Provides for training of service providers with respect to aging and the problems of older individuals. Adds schools of social work and psychology to the list of schools which multidisciplinary centers of gerontology are required to help develop training programs in the field of aging. Revises provisions with respect to demonstration projects and special projects in comprehensive long-term care. Allows legal assistance agencies to participate in ombudsman and advocacy demonstration projects for developmental disabilities and mental illness. Authorizes demonstration projects to provide: (1) older individuals with multigeneration activities; and (2) supportive services to older individuals who are residents in federally assisted housing projects. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner to award grants to eligible communities (with a preference for applicants experienced in operating community programs and programs meeting the independent living needs of older individuals) to establish neighborhood senior care programs, in order to encourage professionals to provide volunteer services to local residents who are older individuals and who might otherwise have to be admitted to nursing homes and hospitals. Requires the AOA Commissioner, to the extent appropriations are available, to contract for the establishment of a technical resource center that will: (1) assist the Commissioner in developing criteria for, and in awarding grants to communities to establish, neighborhood senior care programs; (2) assist communities interested in establishing such a program; (3) provide ongoing analysis of such programs and provide program data to the AOA Commissioner; (4) serve as a liaison to State agencies; and (5) take any further actions as required. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner to make grants to selected agencies and organizations to support improvement of information and assistance services, and systems of services, operated at State and local levels. Requires the AOA Commissioner to: (1) establish and carry out senior transportation demonstration programs for the purpose of improving the mobility of, and transportation services for, older individuals; and (2) make grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to establish and operate Resource Centers on Native American Elders. Requires such Centers to: (1) gather information and perform research on priority areas of concern regarding older Native Americans; (2) provide for dissemination of research results; and (3) provide technical assistance and training to entities that provide services to older Native Americans. Requires the AOA Commissioner to make grants for: (1) services for older individuals with developmental disabilities and for older individuals with caretaker responsibilities for developmentally disabled children; (2) housing ombudsman programs; and (3) foreclosure and eviction assistance and relief services. Authorizes demonstration projects that generate non-Federal resources in order to increase resources available to provide additional services under OAA title III. Requires the AOA Commissioner to make grants to institutions of higher education, historically black colleges or universities, Hispanic Centers of Excellence in Applied Gerontology, and other educational institutions that serve the needs of minority students, to provide education and training to prepare students for careers in the field of aging. Requires the AOA Commissioner to establish and carry out pension rights demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Revises provisions respecting demonstration project grant payments and AOA Commissioner responsibilities. Title V: Community Service Employment for Older Americans - Amends the Older American Community Service Employment Act (OAA title IX) to make miscellaneous and technical amendments with respect to employment projects. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that assistance under such Act shall not be construed to be financial assistance for purposes related to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Title VI: Grants For Native Americans - Amends OAA title X (Grants for Native Americans) to require applicants for grants under parts A (Indian Program) and B (Native Hawaiian Program) to assure that they will coordinate services under OAA titles III and X in same geographical area. Provides for the distribution of OAA title X grant funds among: (1) tribal organizations; and (2) organizations serving Native Hawaiians. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities - Adds to OAA the new title VII (Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities) referenced above in title III of this Act. Establishes ombudsman programs, programs for prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a State elder rights and legal assistance development program, and an outreach, counseling, and assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the AOA Commissioner to make allotments to States to pay for the cost of carrying out vulnerable elder rights protection activities. Directs the AOA Commissioner to make grants for vulnerable elder rights protection activities with respect to Native Americans. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Amendments to Other Laws; Related Matters - Requires the Director of the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control to collect and report on certain demographic information on home health care aides and nursing home nurse aids, as well as information on the role of such aides in providing institution-based and home-based long-term care. Requires the Labor Secretary to: (1) collect, and prepare a report containing, certain information on home health care aides, including information on conditions of employment and employment benefits with respect to such aides; and (2) collect and prepare a report containing similar information with respect to nursing home nurse aides. Requires the Director's and Secretary's reports to be transmitted to the AOA Commissioner. Requires the AOA Commissioner to review such reports, then submit them to appropriate congressional committees along with comments and findings. Requires the Labor Secretary to include a separate occupation code for each such aide in Labor wage surveys conducted after enactment of this Act. Amends the National School Lunch Act to revise the definition of "adult day care center" to include entities licensed to provide adult day care services to individuals in a group living arrangement. Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (NAPA) to transfer from the HHS Secretary to the Commissioner of the Administration to Native Americans (established by this Act) authority for financial assistance to Native American projects. Makes private agencies serving Alaska Native organizations in urban or rural areas not associated with an Alaska Native village eligible for financial assistance. Makes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs of Hawaii (Office) the sole recipient of grants from the Commissioner referenced below for a currently authorized revolving loan fund for economic development in Hawaii. Repeals the termination date for such loan fund (thus making it permanent). Requires the Office to provide matching non-Federal contributions to the fund for each grant. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions that require unneeded monies in the fund to be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury. Revises associated congressional reporting requirements. Establishes in HHS the Administration for Native Americans (Administration), which shall be headed by a Commissioner (Commissioner), and in the Office of the Secretary (Secretary) the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs (Council). Makes the Administration responsible for carrying out programs under NAPA. Makes the Commissioner the chairperson of the Council. Requires the Commissioner to advise the HHS Secretary on all matters affecting Native Americans that involve HHS. Requires the Council to: (1) prepare a plan to allow tribal governments and other eligible Native American organizations to consolidate HHS grants; and (2) designate a single office to oversee and audit such grants. Revises technical assistance and training provisions. Modifies appeal and evaluation provisions. Adds congressional reporting requirements regarding social and economic conditions of Native Amerians. Extends employment preference to individuals who are eligible for NAPA assistance. Revises administrative provisions. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) demonstration projects to conduct research related to Native American studies and Indian policy development; (2) continued development of a detailed plan for a National Center for Native American Studies and Indian Policy Development; and (2) specified provisions of NAPA. Amends the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1987 to require the President to convene a White House Conference on Aging before January 1, 1995. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such Conference should consider the impact of the social security earnings test on older individuals who are employed. Title IX: General Provisions - Provides that any authority to enter into contracts under this Act shall be effective only to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Requires the HHS Secretary to issue proposed regulations to carry out the amendments made by titles I through VII of this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a recipient of Federal financial assistance awarded under this Act for equipment or product purchases should use such assistance to purchase American-made equipment or products. Sets forth effective dates of provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Quality Act of 1992 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for optional Medicaid coverage of services provided through a State case management program that meets specified requirements to Medicaid-eligible individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries. Describes the services provided under such a program. Specifies criteria related to the eligibility of individuals and service providers to participate in such a program. Requires that an individual reside in a State that has designated a State coordinator for traumatic brain injuries in order to receive services under this Act. Requires such coordinator to establish policies and standards for providing services, make necessary reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, supervise and coordinate services for persons with traumatic brain injuries, and perform other specified duties, including establishing an advisory committee. Makes such coordinator responsible for a program of activities related to preventing and reducing the rate of traumatic brain injuries in the State. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to establish standards for the reporting of data on traumatic brain injuries and the operation of registries of traumatic brain injuries for coordinator use. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to conduct a study on the effectiveness of traumatic brain injury interventions. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Small Business Innovation Development Amendment Act of 1992 - Amends the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 to extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program from October 1, 1993, to October 1, 2000. Amends the Small Business Act regarding small business eligibility for Federal agency research and development awards to include in the three-phase evaluation process determining the technological feasibility of ideas those ideas which appear to have commercial potential. Prescribes minimum SBIR expenditure amounts for FY 1992 through 1997 and after. Requires each Federal agency that is required to establish an SBIR program to: (1) determine unilaterally research topics within its SBIR solicitations, giving special consideration to topics which permit substantial applicant participation in research project formulation; and (2) make payments in full to SBIR funding agreement recipients, subject to specified audit deadlines. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (the Administrator) to modify directives for the conduct of general SBIR policy to provide for: (1) rights to data; (2) continued use of agency property; (3) follow-on contracts; and (4) increased amounts of Phase 1 awards. Repeals the requirement for an annual report by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Provides that if a Federal agency required to establish an SBIR program makes an SBIR solicitation award for which it shall provide written justification of such award in its next annual report. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on specified aspects of SBIR program implementation. Includes Department of Defense (DOD) activities in the extension of programs under this Act and requires the evaluation process for research and development awards to consider the commercial potential of ideas. Revises the definition of "extramural budget" to remove an exclusion that provides that such definition shall not include amounts of DOD obligated solely for operational systems development. Increases the amount required to be expended by DOD for SBIR. Establishes a maximum amount for SBIR contracts awarded by DOD in the first phase.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Expansion and Fossil Forest Protection Act - Amends the San Juan Wilderness Protection Act of 1984 to incorporate additional lands in New Mexico into the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. Withdraws such lands from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and from disposition under laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing and mineral material sales. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to follow specified coal lease exchange procedures under the Code of Federal Regulations on any coal preference right lease application on such lands if the applicant demonstrates that coal exists in commercial quantities on such lands. Provides for the exchange of State and Navajo Indian lands located in the wilderness for other lands. Establishes the Fossil Forest Research Natural Area within New Mexico. Makes such area subject to the same withdrawal requirements and coal preference rights as the wilderness area designated under this Act. Prohibits livestock grazing in the Area. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to develop a baseline inventory of all categories of fossil resources and to conduct monitoring surveys. Requires the Secretary to submit a management plan for the Area to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to include: (1) a plan for the implementation of a cooperative program with other agencies for laboratory and field interpretation and public education; (2) provisions for vehicle management; (3) procedures for the excavation and collection of fossil remains; and (4) mitigation and reclamation standards for activities that disturb the surface to the detriment of scenic and environmental values.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Amends the Competitiveness Policy Council Act to rename it and to: (1) change the name of the Competitiveness Policy Council to the National Competitiveness Policy Commission (Commission); and (2) reauthorize the Commission through FY 1996 at current levels. Amends the National Competitiveness Policy Commission Act (as renamed) to make technical changes with respect to Commission duties, powers, staff and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Trade and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1992 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish in the International Trade Commission (ITC) an Office of Trade and Technology Competitiveness (Office) which shall monitor U.S. performance with respect to critical technologies and assess the long-term performance of certain critical technology industries of the United States relative to the industries of key competitor countries. Requires the ITC to report to the President and the Congress a summary all studies assessing the relative international positions of key competitor countries in each of the critical technologies. Requires the Office to report annually to the Congress the ITC's analysis of the international competitive positions of the United States and key competitor nations in each of the critical technologies. Requires other specified reports.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the prohibition against separate billing for electrocardiogram interpretations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make separate payment under the Medicare fee schedule for any such interpretations performed or ordered to be performed as part of or in conjunction with a visit to or a consultation with a physician. Provides for adjustment of medical visit and consultation relative values so as not to include relative value units for electrocardiogram interpretation in the relative value for medical visits and consultations. Sets forth guidelines for the adjustment of Medicare fee schedule amounts to reflect the separate payment for electrocardiogram interpretations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish within his Office an Office of Technology Transition to ensure that technology developed for national security purposes is integrated into the private sector in order to enhance the U.S. technology base. Requires the Office to: (1) monitor research and development (R&D) activities of the military departments and defense agencies with respect to advanced and nuclear weapons and programs; (2) identify all such R&D activities that use technologies having potential nondefense commercial applications; (3) serve as a clearinghouse for the transition of such technologies from the Departments of Defense or Energy to the private sector; and (4) provide private firms with assistance to resolve problems associated with security clearances, proprietary rights, and other legal considerations associated with the transition of such technology. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Senate and House Armed Services and Appropriations Committees on the establishment of the Office and on Office activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1992
Establishes reemployment rights for Department of Defense (DOD) employees in reduction in force (RIF) actions. Requires DOD and each military department concerned to offer an employee who has been released under a RIF the right of first refusal to a job such entity restores within two years after the employee's release. Prohibits such entities from replacing within two years such an employee with a contract or temporary employee. Provides that if DOD or a military department seeks to staff some positions within two years after a RIF, it must offer reemployment to employees released under the RIF on the basis of seniority. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to keep a Government-wide list of vacant positions and establish a toll-free number which will enable the public to access information on the list. Requires Federal agencies to give qualified displaced DOD employees full consideration before hiring candidates from outside the agency. Codifies existing regulations requiring agencies to issue specific written notices to employees and their representatives at least 60 days prior to a RIF. Requires additionally that an agency also notify the appropriate State dislocated worker unit and chief elected official whenever a significant number of employees will be separated under a RIF. Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 and the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to make civilian employees at military installations scheduled for closure or realignment eligible to receive assistance under the defense conversion adjustment program under the Job Training Partnership Act one year in advance of the closure or realignment. Provides that DOD or each military department concerned may offer certain employees the option of receiving a lump sum payment for unused sick leave. Provides that this option is in lieu of adding unused sick leave to length of service for purposes of calculating Federal retirement benefits. Allows DOD and each military department concerned to authorize payment of a lump sum separation benefit to certain civilian employees to encourage voluntary separations. Sets forth rules for determining the amount of such payment. Provides that civilian employees at military bases scheduled for closure between October 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997, will be allowed to have annual leave which was lost as a result of closure operations during such period restored. Provides for continued health benefit coverage for DOD employees involuntarily separated under a RIF. Requires such an employee to continue to pay his or her share of the premium under the health plan involved. Provides that an employee who is involuntarily separated under a RIF will be treated as if entitled to an immediate annuity under the Thrift Saving Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Legal Services Reauthorization Act of 1992 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation for FY 1993 through 1997. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) apply Federal criminal laws against theft, fraud, and embezzlement to Corporation funds; and (2) make the Federal criminal statute against obstructing a Federal audit applicable with regard to auditors employed or retained by the Corporation. Specifies that certain provisions of the False Claims Act apply to the Corporation, any financial assistance recipient and other grantee or contractor of the Corporation (awardee), subgrantee or subcontractor of any such entity, or employee thereof (thus, giving the Attorney General the authority to bring a civil action against any person employed by or contracting with a recipient, subrecipient, grantee, or contractor who perpetuates a fraud with Corporation funds, but excluding from application to the Corporation and its recipients provisions which permit a private person to initiate a false claims action). Revises prohibitions on the use of Corporation funds for lobbying purposes to prohibit such use by an awardee: (1) to pay for publicity or propaganda intended or designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or State or local legislative bodies, or to influence any decision by a Federal, State, or local agency; (2) to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone communication, letter, printed matter, or other device intended or designed to influence: any decision by a Federal, State, or local agency, except when legal assistance is provided by an employee of an awardee of the Corporation to an eligible client on a particular matter which directly involves the client's legal rights or responsibilities; any Member of Congress or other Federal, State, or local elected official to favor or oppose any referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure of the Congress, State legislature, local council, or similar governing body; or any such Member or official to favor or oppose legislation (with exceptions); or (3) for adminstrative or related costs associated with such prohibited activities. Permits the use of such funds in connection with any communication: (1) made in response to a Federal, State, or local agency or elected official; or (2) to a Federal, State, or local elected official pertaining to the authorization or appropriation of funds or any other measure affecting the authority, functions, or funding of, or pertaining to oversight measures directly affecting, the awardee or the Corporation, if the project director or designee of the awardee has expressly determined that the legislative body involved is considering such authorization, appropriation, or other measure, or is conducting oversight of the awardee or the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to: (1) arrange for evaluations to determine whether awardees are providing comprehensive, economical, and effective legal assistance to eligible clients; and (2) conduct monitoring and investigations into allegations that an awardee has violated applicable requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning investigation procedures. Directs the Board of Directors of the Corporation to provide for the enforcement of requirements with respect to such awardees. Permits the Corporation to suspend, reduce, or terminate financial assistance (with such termination only after consideration of other remedial measures and only after the employee has been afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a timely, full, and fair hearing, to be conducted by an independent hearing examiner when requested), or deny an application for refunding (after affording the awardee an opportunity to correct the failure) when: (1) there has been a substantial failure to comply with applicable requirements; or (2) evaluations demonstrate that an awardee has consistently failed to provide economical and effective legal assistance. Authorizes the Corporation to deny an application for refunding when the Corporation has identified an applicant for financial assistance that is better able to provide comprehensive, economical, and effective legal assistance for the geographic area served by such awardee. Revises provisions concerning notice to awardees prior to the suspension or termination of assistance or the denial of a refunding application. Prohibits the annual level of assistance from being reduced by more than five percent or $20,000, whichever is less, unless the awardee has been afforded notice and, at the awardee's request, a timely and fair hearing. Sets forth Corporation monitoring requirements. Directs that standards and procedures adopted pursuant to such provision take into account: (1) the responsibility of the Corporation to provide for independent evaluations; (2) that each awardee has the responsibility to manage its day-to-day operations and to assure that its employees comply with all applicable law and deliver high quality legal assistance in an effective and economical manner; (3) that the personal privacy of eligible clients could be adversely affected by the public disclosure of records or documents obtained in connection with monitoring or investigation (and bars the Corporation from requiring disclosure of such records to the extent that they can be expected to contain information directly pertinent and necessary to an audit, or to an investigation of a likely pattern of discrimination, lack of compliance with the law, or poor performance by an awardee which is indicated by other external evidence); (4) the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, the privacy protections of State law, and the principle that matters and records that are personal or private and that relate to an individual employee should be protected from examination by the Corporation; and (5) the rules of ethics and professional responsibility that are applicable in the jurisdiction where an awardee delivers legal assistance. Requires the Corporation to develop criteria for evaluating the capability and performance of awardees. Specifies that the Inspector General of the Corporation shall not, in carrying out his or her functions, be subject to any restriction that: (1) is contained in the standards and procedures adopted by the Corporation under this provision; and (2) limits access by the Corporation to documents or other information. Directs the Corporation to require each grantee, contractor, or person or entity receiving financial assistance to provide for an independent annual financial audit and to submit the report of the audit to the Corporation. Bars the Corporation from selecting the auditor employed by such entity. Permits the Corporation to conduct its own audit or hire an independent auditor when necessary, with the costs to be borne by the Corporation. (Current law directs the Corporation to conduct, or require each such grantee, contractor, or person or entity to provide for, an annual financial audit.) Places restrictions on the bringing of a class action suit by an awardee with funds provided by the Corporation against the Federal Government or any State or local government. Requires awardees to adopt policies to attempt to negotiate settlements and to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, where appropriate, before filing suit. Prohibits the use of Corporation funds to alter, revise, or reapportion a legislative, judicial, or elective district at any level of government. Places restrictions on the use of Corporation funds for legal assistance for aliens. Revises requirements for governing bodies of grant or contract recipients to require a recipient's governing body to be comprised of (in the majority) attorneys who are appointed by State, county, or local bar associations the memberships of which represent a majority of the attorneys practicing law in the locality in which the recipient is to provide legal assistance. Sets forth requirements for governing or policy bodies of recipients and other awardees. Allows the governing body of a bar association to appoint members of the governing or policy bodies of more than one awardee of the Corporation. Makes technical and conforming changes with respect to the professional responsibilities of the Corporation and attorney employees of the Corporation. Specifies that neither the Corporation nor the Comptroller General shall have access to any reports or records protected from disclosure by the laws or rules of ethics or professional responsibility that apply in the jurisdiction where such reports or records are maintained. Requires the Corporation (with specified exceptions) to ensure that attorneys employed full-time in providing legal assistance supported in major part by the Corporation refrain from any: (1) outside practice of law in which the attorneys seek or receive compensation; and (2) uncompensated outside practice of law. (Current law bars attorneys employed full-time in legal assistance activities supported in major part by the Corporation from any compensated outside practice, and any uncompensated outside practice except as authorized in guidelines promulgated by the Corporation.) Prohibits the use of Corporation funds for initiating the defense of a person in a proceeding to evict such person from a public housing project if the person has been convicted of the illegal sale or distribution of a controlled substance and the proceeding has been brought by a public housing project agency because such person threatens the health or safety of other tenants or employees of such agency. Prohibits awardees (or employees) from engaging in precomplaint settlement negotiations, filing a complaint, or pursuing litigation against a defendant unless a written retainer agreement which enumerates the facts on which the claim is based has been signed by the plaintiffs. Specifies that, unless authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction, no awardee (or employee) may file a complaint or petition in a court until all plaintiffs known to plaintiff's counsel at the time have been specifically identified in the complaint or petition. Requires the Corporation to study, through the use of demonstration projects and other appropriate methods, the feasibility of utilizing a system of competition to improve the delivery of legal assistance and related activities. Sets forth reporting requirements. Specifies that a general restriction on training activities of the Corporation should not be construed to prohibit training of attorneys or paralegals as necessary to prepare them to advise any eligible client as to the nature of the legislative process, or to inform any such client of his or her rights under any statute, order, or regulation. Repeals a limitation on the use of non-Federal funds received by the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to require each awardee to maintain a system of time and recordkeeping that discloses the types of activities supported by Corporation and non-Corporation funds and allocates appropriate costs, including overhead, to activities funded by non-Corporation funds. Sets forth additional requirements regarding the specific type of system to be employed. Prohibits the use of alternative corporations to evade the provisions of this Act. Defines an "alternative corporation" as a group which has a single identity of interest with an awardee. Requires any awardee which shares employees with any other entity to specify with particularity the use of any funds by such employees. Directs the Corporation to ensure that all attorneys engaged in legal assistance activities supported by the Corporation refrain, while so engaged, from any political activity (current law) associated with a political party or the campaign of any candidate for public or party office. Requires grants and contracts made for calendar years 1993 through 1997 to be made for at least 12 months, except for any grant to a new program commencing operations after the beginning of the applicable calendar year. Sets forth provisions with respect to the establishment of local priorities and periodic analysis of the legal needs of clients in the area served by each such awardee. Revises the defintion of "staff attorney" to mean an attorney who: (1) is employed by a recipient organized in whole or in part for the provision of legal assistance to eligible clients under the Act; and (2) receives more than half of his or her annual professional salary from the proceeds of a grant or contract from the Corporation to such recipient. (Current law specifies an attorney who receives more than half of his annual professional income from a recipient organized solely for the provisions of legal assistance to eligible clients.) Directs the Corporation to conduct a study on legal assistance to older Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Pacific Yew Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to pursue a conservation-management policy with respect to National Forest System and other public lands containing Pacific yew that will combine long-term conservation with sustainable yew harvests for the manufacture of taxol (a cancer treatment drug derived from the yew.) Requires timber sales to be conducted in accord with such policy. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) inventory Pacific yew on lands under their jurisdiction; (2) encourage and assist in research regarding the ecology of the Pacific yew, development of alternative methods of procuring taxol, and propagation of Pacific yew and other yew species in agricultural or commercial settings; and (3) ensure collection of Pacific yew resources in a fashion that minimizes illegal harvests and maintains the yew's taxol properties. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell Pacific yew to qualifying persons for manufacturing of taxol in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine and notify the appropriate Secretaries when sufficient medical quantities of taxol are available from sources other than Pacific yew harvested from Federal lands. Terminates the requirements of this Act upon such notification.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Local Exchange Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1992 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise its authority to: (1) preserve and enhance universal telephone service at reasonable rates; (2) achieve universal availability of advanced network capabilities and information services; (3) assure a seamless nationwide distribution network through joint network planning, coordination, and service arrangements between and among local exchange carriers (LECs); (4) maintain high standards of quality for advanced network services; and (5) assure adequate communication for the public health, safety, defense, education, national security, and emergency preparedness. Defines "local exchange carrier" for purposes of such Act as a carrier that: (1) is required to provide upon request, under tariff or subject to other government oversight (by the FCC or a State commission), interstate and intrastate access services and telephone exchange service; (2) is, or was, a participant in one or more interstate pools established by the FCC, or would have been required to participate in one or more such pools had the carrier been engaged in interstate and intrastate access and telephone exchange service while such participation was mandatory; (3) is subject to the requirements imposed by the FCC or a State commission related to the provision of equal access; and (4) conforms with the provisions of the North American Numbering Plan applicable to the assignment of numbering resources for telephone exchange service, as defined by the Plan's Administrator. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations that require: (1) joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all LECs in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; (2) development of standards for interconnection between the LEC public switched network and others by appropriate standard-setting bodies; and (3) a LEC to share public switched network infrastructure and functionality with requesting LECs which serve a geographic area for which they lack economies of scale or scope for the particular required network functionality. Specifies that: (1) no LEC shall be prohibited from transporting or processing signalling and information for another LEC in adjoining or reasonably proximate serving areas upon request of that LEC to the same extent that the providing LEC is permitted to engage in such activities for itself; (2) nothing in such Act shall be construed to alter, limit, or supersede the authority of any State with respect to the regulation of intrastate communication service; and (3) nothing contained in Federal or State antitrust law shall render unlawful any action taken by a LEC or any individual or concerted action taken such as lobbying before the Congress, the FCC, or communicating by any means with other LECs, by any LEC, or its directors, officers, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, counsel, or other persons purporting to act on behalf of such carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Trade Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the following additional information in the President's annual report to the Congress on trade agreements and national trade policy agenda: (1) the operation of U.S. trade policies with respect to the international competitive positions of certain technologies identified by the National Critical Technologies Panel, U.S. industries developing and using such technologies, and any other U.S. industry considered vital to the national economy; (2) trade actions taken by the United States and foreign governments, including negotiations, discussions, agreements, duties, quotas, and legal action, which affect such U.S. industries and technologies; (3) whether such actions have positively or negatively affected such U.S. industries and technologies; (4) how U.S. trade strategies and actions increase the international competitiveness of such U.S. industries and technologies; and (5) trade strategies and actions of other nations which affect the international competitiveness of such U.S. industries and technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Mike Mansfield Fellowship Act - Establishes the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program. Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to make grants to the Mansfield Center for Pacific Affairs (Center) to award two-year fellowships to eligible Federal employees. Requires fellowship recipients (Mansfield Fellows): (1) during their first year, to study, in Washington, D.C., the Japanese language and political economy; and (2) during their second year, to serve as a Fellow in a parliamentary office, ministry, or other agency of the Government of Japan, or, subject to Center approval, a nongovernmental Japanese institution associated with the recipient's interests. Requires the Center to comply with specified program requirements in order to be eligible for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an arrangement with the Government of Japan to place Fellows in that Government. Authorizes the Foreign Service Institute to assist in carrying out Japanese language training by the Center through providing classroom space, teaching materials, and facilities, insofar as this is not detrimental to the Institute's other responsibilities. Authorizes the Center to accept and use gifts from private sources for such program, subject to review and approval of the Mansfield Fellowship Review Board. Provides that specified amounts from Department of State funds shall be available to the Secretary to make program grants to the Center for FY 1993 through 1996. Sets forth program requirements. Requires that the Federal employees eligible for such fellowships have: (1) at least two years experience in any branch of the U.S. Government; and (2) a strong career interest in U.S.-Japan relations and a commitment to further Federal service. Requires that at least ten such fellowships be awarded annually. Prohibits Mansfield Fellows from engaging in any intelligence or intelligence-related activity on behalf of the U.S. Government. Allows Federal agencies to separate from service such Fellows for a specified period, but requires that: (1) Fellows be reemployed or reinstated in an appropriate position and with all attendant rights and benefits as they would have acquired if they had not been so separated; and (2) they continue to participate during the fellowship period, as if they were not separated, in specified programs for health and life insurance, workers' compensation leave, and retirement (with employer contributions to be made by the Center, and employee deductions to be taken from fellowship stipends). Establishes the Mansfield Fellowship Review Board to review program administration and submit annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the heroic service of veterans who served during the Vietnam War and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $7 per coin. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund for specified veteran programs and services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Equitable Health Care for Severe Mental Illnesses Act of 1992 - Declares that it is the policy of the United States that: (1) persons with severe mental illnesses must not be discriminated against in health care; and (2) health care coverage, provided through any financing, must provide for the treatment of severe mental illnesses in a way that is equitable and commensurate with that provided for other major illnesses. Designates as consistent with that policy any plan which incorporates specified elements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act - Ratifies and approves the Settlement Contract between the Secretary of the Interior and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe of Indians in New Mexico for the resolution of water rights claims. Makes specified amounts of water available under the Contract from the Navajo Reservoir or River and the San Juan-Chama Project. Entitles the Tribe to use return flows attributable to uses of the water as long as water depletions do not exceed amounts set forth in this Act. Authorizes the Tribe, subject to the Secretary's approval and when water made available under the Contract is not being used, to sell, exchange, lease, or temporarily dispose of the water. Prohibits the Tribe from permanently alienating rights under the Contract. Limits terms of water use subcontracts, including renewals, to 99 years. Subjects subcontracts to the Secretary's approval. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) a water resources development trust fund to be used by the Tribe; and (2) the Tribe's share of the operation, maintenance,and replacement costs for the San Juan-Chama Project, when the Secretary has waived the Tribe's obligation to pay such costs under the Contract. Sets forth waivers with respect to the Tribe's share of costs of the Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan-Chama Project. Prohibits the use of water authorized for the initial stage of the San Juan-Chama Project to offset the impacts of other water projects in the San Juan River Basin in order to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Civil War Battlefield Commemorative Coin Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Civil War battlefield preservation. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for the one-dollar coins, and $1 per coin for the half-dollar coins. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Civil War Battlefield Foundation for the preservation of historically significant Civil War battlefields.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives Act - Mandates grants to States for the administrative costs of planning and implementing coordinated buying programs through which small employers may purchase employee health insurance. Requires that the programs be the sole mechanism for small employers to purchase such insurance. Requires that a State program provide each small employer in the State access to health insurance for its employees and their dependents through one or more Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives, each covering a defined geographic district. Sets forth Cooperative duties, including issuing contracts and administering all aspects of coverage for all small employers within the district. Waives Federal and State antitrust laws. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the National Health Board. Requires the Board to establish Coordinated Buying Program Precepts setting forth certain criteria, including regarding a uniform data system, collection of outcomes data, and determining minimum benefit requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Board to establish minimum benefit requirements for plans offered through Cooperatives, including inpatient and outpatient hospital care and physician services, diagnostic tests, prenatal and well-baby care, preventive and early intervention services, and certain inpatient and outpatient mental disorder services. Allows managed care and different levels of payments for different providers. Requires the Board to establish minimum benefit requirements for two additional health benefit plans providing more extensive or more innovative benefits. Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to exempt from those provisions HMOs that provide services meeting the requirements under this Act. Establishes the National Health Insurance Data System, consisting of: (1) a National Data Base for Health Insurance and Health Outcomes Information; (2) no more than five Regional Health Insurance Data Centers; and (3) an electronic health insurance and outcomes data processing mechanism. Requires the Board to: (1) establish uniform billing and claims forms and mandatory reporting requirements; and (2) require carriers to issue to each participant an electronic processing card containing certain information on financial, administrative, and health outcomes matters. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to a representative of the American Philosophical Society in commemoration of the 250th anniversaries of the founding of the Society and the birth of Thomas Jefferson. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and deliver bronze duplicates of such medal to the Society, upon receipt of full payment for them.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Inter-American Scientific Cooperation Act of 1992 - Directs the National Science Foundation to establish the Inter-American Scientific Cooperation Program aimed at increasing science and technology cooperation between the United States and Latin America. Requires the Program to identify and cooperate with private and governmental funding bodies. Authorizes the use of a limited amount of funds authorized under specified Acts to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Urges that: (1) Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected; and (2) the President and Secretary of State issue an unequivocal statement in support of such principle.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1992
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to allow as grounds for nonrenewal of a franchise relationship the failure of the parties to agree to changes to the franchise provisions as long as such failure is not the result of the franchisor's insistence for the purpose of converting a franchisee operation into one operated by the franchisor's employees or agents (that is, turning the franchise into a company-owned station). Prohibits a State or any political subdivision from implementing any law or regulation which requires payment for a franchisee's goodwill upon either termination or nonrenewal of a franchise. Permits State law to specify the terms and conditions under which a franchise or franchise relationship may be transferred to a franchisee's designated successor upon the franchisee's death. Requires a franchisor that does not wish to exercise its underlying lease options to lease or purchase the marketing premises, to offer to assign them to the franchisee as a prerequisite to termination or nonrenewal of the franchise relationship. Bars a franchisor from requiring, as a condition of the franchise relationship, that the franchisee waive or release its rights under Federal or State law. Declares invalid and unenforceable any franchise provision which specifies that franchise interpretation or enforcement shall be governed by the law of any State other than the one in which the franchisee has its principal place of business.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992
Title I: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Interagency Council on the Homeless, and the Council's authority, through October 1, 1994. Title II: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1992
Indian Dams Safety Act of 1992 - Establishes a dam safety operation and maintenance program (program) within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) develop a comprehensive list of dams located on Indian lands in New Mexico that are in fair, conditionally poor, poor, or unsatisfactory condition; and (2) perform such rehabilitation work as is necessary to bring such dams to a satisfactory condition. Requires that the dam, upon completion of rehabilitation work, be placed under the program and be regularly maintained pursuant to program guidelines. Specifies that work authorized by this Act shall be for the purposes of dam safety operation and maintenance and not to provide additional conservation storage capacity or to develop benefits beyond those provided by the original dams and reservoirs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) obtain technical assistance from agencies under his jurisdiction other than the BIA, or from other departments through memoranda of understanding, to carry out the purposes of this Act (but specifies that the safety of the dams program and the operation and maintenance program shall remain under BIA direction); and (2) contract with appropriate Indian tribes to carry out the program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Department of Energy Laboratory Technology Partnership Act of 1992 - Establishes the Department of Energy (DOE) partnership program under which the Secretary of Energy must ensure that departmental laboratories enter into research partnerships with industry, educational institutions, and other Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to establish Secretary of Energy Partnerships to develop research and demonstration activities listed in the biennial National Critical Technologies Report or in other specified areas. Grants such partnerships the same preference they would receive under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 if they agree that products embodying inventions made under a cooperative research and development agreement will be manufactured substantially in the United States. Directs the Secretary to encourage research partnerships with minority educational institutions and private sector entities owned or controlled by disadvantaged individuals. Cites the technology research and demonstration areas which such partnerships may target. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage the exchange of scientists and engineers among departmental laboratories, educational institutions, industry, and other Federal agencies; (2) provide fellowships to facilitate personnel exchanges from such areas; (3) provide education and training and further partnerships; (4) develop evaluation mechanisms; (5) develop a management plan for implementation of this Act; and (6) report biennially to the Congress on its implementation. Directs the Secretary to establish the Laboratory Partnership Advisory Board to provide guidance on the implementation of this Act. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to: (1) increase the number of DOE Under Secretaries from one to three and the number of Assistant Secretaries from eight to 11; and (2) establish the position of General Counsel. Requires the Secretary to make recommendations to the Congress regarding establishment of an Office of Technology Research within DOE. Directs the Secretary to establish a Laboratory Career Path Program to recruit employees of departmental laboratories to serve in positions in DOE. (Currently such transfers are unlawful.) Sets forth mechanisms to ensure the integrity of service that the proscription against such transfer was meant to achieve.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Colonial New Mexico Commemorative Act - Establishes the Colonial New Mexico Preservation Commission (Commission) in the Department of the Interior. Terminates the Commission ten years after appointment of its first group of members. Requires the Commission, with assistance from its staff, the National Park Service (Service), New Mexico, units of local government, and private groups to prepare a comprehensive management plan to provide direction for commemorative actions and projects. Authorizes the Service to: (1) make grants to tribal, public, and private entities for a Federal share of up to 50 percent of the development costs for commemorative centers to operate educational programs, provide technical assistance, conduct cultural events, and prepare media materials; and (2) make such payment to Espanola, New Mexico, for planning, developing, and operating a commemorative center as an element of the Spanish Commemorative Plaza. Requires the Service to study the major prehistoric and historic sites in Galisteo Basin relating to colonial New Mexico. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
John Heinz Competitive Excellence Award Act of 1992 - Establishes the John Heinz Excellence Award, to be evidenced by a national medal coined and provided to the U.S. Senate by the U.S. Mint. Allows two such separate awards to be presented annually (one to a qualifying individual, including Federal, State, or local government employees, and one to a qualifying organization, institution, or business). Prohibits presentation of an award within a category in a given year if there is no qualified individual, organization, institution, or business recommended by the selection panel established by this Act. Sets forth qualification criteria for such awards. Requires the Senate majority and minority leaders to present such award to an individual and an organization, institution, or business that has demonstrated excellence in promoting U.S. industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace through technological innovation, productivity improvement, or improved competitive strategies. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to: (1) ensure that all nominees receive a detailed summary of any evaluation conducted of such nominee; and (2) make available to the nominee and the public a summary of each award winner's competitiveness strategy (excluding proprietary information unless the award winner consents).
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
National Advanced Research Projects Agency Act of 1992 - Renames the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as the National Advanced Research Projects Agency. Establishes an interagency executive committee to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Agency Director regarding policies, priorities, and programs. Empowers the Agency as the central research and development (R&D) organization of the Department of Defense (DOD) with the primary responsibility of maintaining the technological superiority of the United States over its potential adversaries. Directs the Agency to: (1) pursue R&D projects having significant potential for both military and civilian applications, as well as projects having solely military applications; (2) support and stimulate a national technology base that serves both military and civilian purposes and increases the productivity of each sector; (3) pursue R&D having the potential for scientific breakthroughs and revolutionary approaches for improved cost and performance of advanced technology having future military and civilian applications; (4) manage and direct the conduct of R&D of any other advanced technology that can be applied to increase the ability of a department or agency to attain its mission objectives; and (5) stimulate increased emphasis on the prototyping of defense systems and subsystems. Requires the Agency Director to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions with private sector firms for R&D, especially R&D of advanced technologies with the potential for having both commercial and defense applications. Requires the Director to ensure participation in such cooperative agreements of private sector firms that have not had a significant level of involvement in R&D activities of DOD. Authorizes the head of a Federal department or agency to transfer funds to the Agency to carry out R&D requested by such department or agency. Provides the Federal pay rates for the Director of Defense Research and Engineering and the Agency Director.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
National Security Council Amendments of 1992 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to: (1) include as a function of the National Security Council (Council) advising the President on the integration of foreign trade policies with the national security; (2) require cooperation between the military services and Federal departments and agencies in matters involving U.S. economic security; (3) delete from Council membership the Director for Mutual Security and the Chairman of the National Security Resources Board; and (4) add to Council membership the Secretaries of Commerce and the Treasury and the U.S. Trade Representative.
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