United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should propose to the Soviet Union during arms control talks: (1) that the United States and the Soviet Union should establish a joint commission to study the environmental and other effects of nuclear explosions (nuclear winter) and their impact on the security of both nations; (2) that the work of such joint commission should include the sharing and exchange of information and findings on the nuclear winter phenomena; and (3) that the United Kingdom, France, and the People's Republic of China should be involved in the work of such joint commission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Child-Care Standards Improvement Act of 1985 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to require the Governor of each State, as a condition of the State's eligibility for receiving title XX Federal payments, to establish or designate a State Advisory Committee on Child-Care Standards which shall: (1) examine, investigate, and study the State's laws, regulations, and procedures for licensing, regulating, and monitoring child-care services and programs within the State; and (2) prepare a report outlining the committee's findings and recommendations, including a description of the current status of child-care licensing, regulating, or monitoring within the State to be submitted to each State's Governor for transmittal, along with the Governor's comments, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Child-Care Standards in order to assist and provide guidance to the States in improving the quality of child-care services. Requires each State Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Committee to review the options for child-care standards published by the Department of Health and Human Services in January 1985 and the final 1980 HEW Day Care Regulations. Directs the National Advisory Committee to issue recommended standards for child-care programs, after first publishing proposed standards and receiving comments. Terminates the National Advisory Committee 90 days after the publication of the final recommended standards. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for grants to States to carry out their plans for correcting the deficiencies in or improving the licensing, regulating, or monitoring of child-care programs. Requires each State, in order to receive a grant, to submit a plan to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out the recommendations contained in its report.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant for any fiscal year to any State receiving a grant under title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to enable the State to award scholarships to eligible individuals within the State who are candidates for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Sets forth requirements for State applications for such grants and for distribution of such grants throughout the Nation. Defines "eligible individual" as a candidate for the CDA credential whose income does not exceed a specified poverty line by more than 50 percent. Requires States receiving such grants to submit specified program information to the Secretary annually. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and succeeding fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Dependent Care Grants Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to revise provisions added by subchapter D (State Grants for Dependent Care Planning and Development of Dependent Care Programs and for Other Purposes) of the Human Services Reauthorization Act. Raises the amount of appropriations authorized for FY 1986 for such grants to States for planning and development of dependent care programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants through FY 1989. Adds provisions relating to reallotment of such grants program funds among States. Requires that resource and referral systems funded through such grants provide information designed to improve the ability of parents and guardians to make an informed selection of available dependent care services. Eliminates prohibitions against State use of such grants to: (1) pay the costs of operation of any resource or referral system or any before or after school child care program established, expanded, or improved through such grants; or (2) subsidize the direct provision of dependent care services, including child care services. Eliminates the prohibition against the Federal share of any project supported under such grants program from exceeding 75 percent. Extends until September 30, 1989, the requirement for revision, as necessary, of the State's description of the intended use of such grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of collecting data from recipients of assistance under such grants program designed to provide a national needs assessment for child care services of school-age children, including data on the number of children served, the number awaiting care, the income distribution of families, and the percentage of families requiring reduced or waived fees. Revises reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to report, within 160 days after the end of each fiscal year, to specified congressional committees on activities under such grants program, together with a needs assessment of the availability of, and need for Federal support of, child care services for school-age children in each State. Entitles the subchapter D grants program the "Dependent Care Grants Act."
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Family Day Care Provider Assistance Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to States for grants for community-based nonprofit organizations to furnish support services and assistance for family day care providers. Includes among such services and assistance: (1) training for such providers; (2) resource centers to make developmentally appropriate curriculum materials; (3) systems of substitute caregivers; (4) technical assistance in understanding local regulations and relevant tax and other policies; and (5) subgrants to providers for the purchase of small equipment. Requires that grant recipients furnish, or propose to furnish, such support primarily to providers serving low-income families. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Family Day Care, to be operated on a regional basis, either directly or through grant or contract. Includes among Center functions: (1) training individuals involved in training family day care providers; (2) serving as a clearinghouse for resource materials on family day care; and (3) providing technical assistance to family day care sponsors, providers, and trainers of providers with respect to relevant laws and regulations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and succeeding fiscal years for: (1) the National Resource Center on Family Day Care; and (2) payments to States under this Act, with such payments to be allocated among States in the same ratio as payments under title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) be commended for his efforts to negotiate a multilateral agreement banning chemical weapons; (2) continue to pursue such an agreement; and (3) seek the continuation and the development of bilateral discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve a verifiable ban on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that FY 1986 funding levels for Federal foreign language and international education and exchange programs should be maintained at FY 1985 levels.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Requires the initial report of the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board, as required by the National Narcotics Act of 1984, to include: (1) a comprehensive assessment of the current and potential contribution of designer drugs (synthetic narcotic analogs or variations of existing controlled substances) to the illegal narcotics problem in the United States; (2) proposals for illegal drug law enforcement strategies to prevent the manufacture and distribution of synthetic narcotic analogs; and (3) recommendations to the Congress for necessary legislation to eliminate the manufacture and distribution of illegal synthetic narcotic analogs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to specified submerged areas located in the Pacific Ocean off the California coastline and in the Atlantic Ocean off the Massachusetts coastline, from: (1) issuing any oil and gas lease; (2) granting any license or permit for any activity which both affects the areas and involves drilling for oil, gas or geological data acquisition; or (3) approving any exploration plan or any development and production plan which provides for such activities. Terminates the moratorium imposed by this Act on January 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Prohibits the taking of predators or scavengers naturally occurring on public lands unless there is public notification and the approval of the Secretary with primary jurisdiction over such lands, and such taking will maintain the species at a level consistent with its role in the ecosystem. Subjects to forfeiture all mammals or birds shot or captured and all weapons or equipment used to shoot, capture, or harass any such creatures in violation of this prohibition. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Export-Import Bank of the United States shall continue to provide preliminary and advance commitments for loans which may require approval on or after October 1, 1985, unless and until the Congress directs the Bank to alter its programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Directs that funds be made available from appropriations under the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1985 to enable the National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration to award 7,083 new competitive research grants in FY 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1985 - Prohibits any U.S. person from making any loan to South Africa or to any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition a loan for any educational, housing, or health facility which: (1) is available to everyone on a nondiscriminatory basis; and (2) is located in an area accessible to all population groups. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to loans for which an agreement is entered into before enactment of this Act. Directs the President to issue regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from making any investment (including bank loans) in South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition: (1) an investment which consists of earnings derived from a business enterprise in South Africa established before enactment of this Act and which is made in that business enterprise; or (2) the purchase of certain securities in such business enterprises. Prohibits any person, including U.S. banks, from importing into the United States any gold coin minted in or offered for sale by South Africa. Authorizes the President to waive the prohibitions against investments in South African businesses and against importing South African gold coins if: (1) the Government of South Africa meets at least one of seven conditions; (2) the President submits to the Congress a determination that such conditions are met; and (3) a joint resolution is enacted approving such determination. Authorizes the President to extend the waivers. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolution. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit exporting computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to service computers to or for use by South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition donations of computers to primary and secondary schools. Declares that certain termination provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall not apply to such prohibition. Provides for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the President to attempt to persuade through negotiations other countries to adopt restrictions on new investment in South Africa, on bank loans and computer sales to South Africa, and on the importation of krugerrands. Directs the President to submit annual reports to the Congress on the status of negotiations. Terminates the provisions of this Act and all the regulations issued to carry out this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a determination submitted by the President to the Congress that apartheid in South Africa has been abolished.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Liberty Double-Eagle Bullion Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold double-eagle coins. Sets forth specifications for and the design of such coins. Makes such coins legal tender. Permits the sale of such coins at a price equal to the cost of minting and issuing such coins plus a surcharge equal to the amount by which the fair market value of gold bullion held by the United States and used in the minting of the coins exceeds the statutory maximum value of any gold certificates outstanding against the bullion. Requires the revenue from such surcharges to be used to reduce the national debt. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Commemorates May 18, 1985, as the 20th anniversary of the Head Start Program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Head Start Program has been cost-effective and successful; and (2) congressional support for such program is reaffirmed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Condemns the use of plastic or rubber bullets in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom to ban the use of plastic or rubber bullets against civilians.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Condemns all acts of violence in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the United Kingdom to outlaw the Ulster Defense Association and any like terrorist organization.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
United States Scholarship Program for Developing Countries Act - Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), to provide an undergraduate scholarship program for citizens and nationals of developing countries to study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Requires that half of each payment to a student shall be in the form of a loan with repayment to be forgiven upon the student's prompt return to his or her country of origin for a period of no less than the number of years spent studying in the United States plus one. Sets forth guidelines for implementing the program. Directs the President, before allocating any funds, to consult with U.S. educational institutions, educational exchange organizations, U.S. missions, and the governments of participating countries on how to implement the guidelines. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with foreign governments to further the scholarship program. Urges the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance programs, in implementing such programs, to increase assistance for undergraduate scholarships for students of limited financial means from developing countries to study in the United States. Urges the Director of the USIA to expand opportunities for students from developing countries to receive financial aid for postgraduate study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Urges the President to take steps to expand the opportunities for Americans from all economic classes to study in developing countries. Authorizes the President to establish counseling and orientation services: (1) abroad to prepare foreign students for study in the United States; and (2) at U.S. schools to help them while they are in the United States. Directs the Board of Foreign Scholarships to advise and assist the President in the discharge of programs authorized by this Act. Requires the public and private sectors in the United States to be encouraged to contribute to the costs of the programs financed under this Act. Directs the President to engage the public and private sectors of developing countries in programs to maximize the use of program participants upon their return to their own countries. Authorizes the President to publicize the scholarship program abroad. Directs the President to encourage U.S. schools attended by students receiving scholarships under this Act to provide opportunities for U.S. students to develop their knowledge of the foreign students' cultures. Authorizes the President to provide English instruction abroad when necessary. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the activities taken pursuant to this Act. Requires the undergraduate scholarship program financed by the USIA for students from Central America for FY 1986 and 1987 to be conducted in accordance with this Act. Provides for funding to carry out other scholarship programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Emergency Reye's Syndrome Prevention Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require drugs containing a salicylate (aspirin) to carry a conspicuous label warning that such product should not be used by persons under 21 years who have chicken pox, influenza, or flu systems because of such product's association with the development of Reye's Syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Amends the Act establishing the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California, to apply rental proceeds from a specified drydock or other vessels or heavy marine equipment to the maintenance of the National Maritime Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Federal Employee Anti-Sex-Discrimination in Compensation Act of 1985 - Establishes the Commission on Compensation Equity to provide, by contract with a consultant, for a report on whether executive agencies are in compliance with laws and regulations prohibiting sex-based wage discrimination. Requires submission of the results of such study to the appropriate congressional committees and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management within 18 months after the effective date of this Act. Requires the Director to submit to such committees and the Commission, 90 days after receipt of such report, a response specifying plans for carrying out the report's recommendations and reasons for not carrying out any recommendation. Allows the Commission to comment on the Director's response. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its comment. Directs the Comptroller General to submit a list of at least five consultants to the Commission from which the Commission shall make its selection. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the rights or remedies provided under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, or any other provision of law relating to discrimination. Provides funding for the Commission from sums appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for general operating expenses for FY 1986 and 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Job Corps has been a cost effective and successful program that should be continued as a separate component of the Job Training Partnership Act; (2) the commitment of the Congress to the program is reaffirmed; and (3) sufficient appropriations should be made available to maintain the youth program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) veterans' disability compensation payments should remain exempt from Federal income taxation; and (2) the President should reject any proposals to tax such payments.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000877_200.jpg)