United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Cuba. Declares that the President should encourage countries that conduct trade with Cuba to restrict their trade and credit regulations with Cuba in a manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes the President to impose the following sanctions against countries that provide assistance to Cuba: (1) ineligibility for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) a prohibition on agreements with the United States for the establishment of free trade areas; and (3) ineligibility for forgiveness or reduction of debt owed to the U.S. Government. Terminates such sanctions if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba has met conditions established under this Act concerning democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. Prohibits restrictions on the export to Cuba of medicines, subject to specified conditions and inspection requirements. Permits telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba. Prohibits the issuance of licenses for certain transactions between U.S.-controlled firms in third countries and Cuba. Bars domestic concerns from receiving a tax deduction for the portion of the deductible expenses of such concerns which are allocated or apportioned to income derived from Cuba. Prohibits vessels which enter Cuba to engage in trade from loading or unloading any freight in the United States within 180 days after departure from Cuba. Prohibits: (1) vessels carrying goods or passengers to or from Cuba or carrying goods in which a Cuban national has an interest from entering a U.S. port, except as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) specified commodities authorized to be exported under a general license from being exported under such a license to any such vessels. Directs the President to establish strict limits on remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons for purposes of financing the travel of Cubans to the United States to assure that such remittances are not used by the Cuban Government as a means of gaining access to U.S. currency. Declares that food, medicine, and medical supplies for humanitarian purposes should be made available to Cuba under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 if the President certifies to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Government of Cuba: (1) has made a commitment to hold free and fair elections for a new government within six months and is proceeding to implement that decision; (2) has made a commitment to respect and is respecting human rights and basic democratic freedoms; and (3) is not providing weapons or funds to any group in any other country that seeks the violent overthrow of the government of such country. Waives sanctions against Cuba under this Act if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba: (1) has held free and fair elections conducted under internationally recognized observers; (2) has permitted opposition parties ample time to campaign for such elections and has permitted full access to the media to all candidates; (3) is showing respect for basic civil liberties and human rights; (4) is moving toward establishing a free market economic system; and (5) has committed itself to constitutional change that would ensure regular free and fair elections. Requires the President, if he makes such report, to take the following actions with respect to a freely-elected Cuban Government: (1) encourage the admission of such government to international organizations and financial institutions; (2) provide emergency relief during Cuba's transition to a viable economic system; (3) take steps to end the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba; and (4) enter into negotiations for a trade agreement with Cuba. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise the authorities of the Trading With the Enemy Act in enforcing this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Trading With the Enemy Act to authorize the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on violators of such Act. Provides for forfeiture of any property or vessel that is the subject of a violation. Requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a branch of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in Miami, Florida.
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 · 29 June 1992
National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1992 - Subtitle A: Definitions - Defines specified terms under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Subtitle B: Compliance and Increased Participation - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to prohibit the waiver of current mandatory flood purchase insurance requirements with respect to financial assistance for property in a flood hazard area. Expands flood insurance purchase requirements. Requires lenders to review outstanding loans to determine whether they are in compliance with mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements. Authorizes lenders to charge borrowers a fee for such service. Exempts lenders from such requirement who have a specified accuracy for flood hazard determinations for outstanding loans, or who have conducted satisfactory loan reviews, or have regularly provided for escrow of flood insurance premiums. Requires residential real estate lenders to establish flood insurance premium escrow accounts. Imposes a fine for lenders failing to require flood insurance or to give proper notice under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Requires the seller-transferor of a residential-secured loan in a flood hazard area to so notify the purchaser-transferee unless a flood hazard determination has been made within the previous five years. Revises flood insurance notice requirements. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the development of a standard hazard determination form. Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council Act of 1978 to direct the Financial Examinations Council to coordinate with Federal entities for lending regulation to develop uniform lender standards. Subtitle C: Ratings and Incentives for Community Floodplain Management Programs - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide for a community rating system and premium rate incentives for community floodplain management. Provides program funding. Subtitle D: Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Risks - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to establish an Office of Mitigation Assistance to carry out flood and coastal erosion mitigation activities under the Federal Insurance Administrator. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to make mitigation assistance grants available to eligible States and communities. Includes among eligible grant activities property elevation, relocation, flood-proofing, and acquisition. Authorizes mitigation activity technical assistance. Sets forth: (1) assistance limits; and (2) matching requirements. Establishes in the Treasury the National Flood Mitigation Fund to be available for such mitigation assistance grants. Provides for an insurance premium mitigation surcharge to be paid into such Fund. Authorizes a mitigation transition pilot program to be carried out through the Office of Mitigation Assistance. Repeals (with a transition period) the current program for the purchase of certain insured properties. Establishes a program to reduce coastal erosion hazards. Provides for community and erosion hazard identification and publication. Establishes a specified premium increase for flood and erosion dual risk hazard areas located in non-Community Rating System communities. Limits flood insurance availability for properties in erosion hazard areas. Repeals (with a transition period) current claims provisions for iminent collapse and subsidence through flood insurance claims. Requires the Director (Director) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a riverine erosion study. Requires the Director to coordinate coastal zone management programs with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and with the States. Subtitle E: Flood Insurance Task Force - Establishes a two-year interagency Flood Insurance Task Force which shall: (1) develop standardized flood insurance enforcement procedures and guidelines; (2) conduct a study of the extent to which the secondary mortgage market can assist enforcement; and (3) conduct a study of the extent to which existing Federal and corporate flood insurance programs can serve as a model for other Federal compliance agencies. States that the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall constitute a select subcommittee dealing with floodplain functions and protection. Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to: (1) increase flood insurance coverage amounts for nonresidential, single family, and multifamily structures; (2) permit flood insurance private sector participation; and (3) require at least every five years an assessment (and revision if necessary) of flood insurance maps. Permits use of the national flood insurance fund for revising floodplain areas, flood-risk zones, and erosion-hazard areas. Requires the Director to conduct studies of: (1) construction of certain agricultural buildings to minimize flood damage; and (2) increased insurance coverages for flood damage repair costs. Requires the Chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality to submit a floodplain management report to the President and to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1992
Military Separation Retirement Benefits Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rollovers into individual retirement accounts of military separation pay.
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 · 25 June 1992
National Archives and Records Administration Authorization Act of 1992 - Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Declares that any rule affecting public access to records in the custody of the Archivist of the United States may be adopted or amended only after notice and comment as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Revises the definition of "records" with specific reference to computerized and electronic information. Establishes procedures for the review of former agency head records proposed for removal. Restricts removal to unclassified, extra copies of records maintained only for convenience of reference. Provides for Government reimbursement for record duplication and delivery costs. Authorizes the Archivist to establish standards for interpreting the definition of "records." Provides increased authority with respect to inspection of agency records and for carrying out other existing responsibilities pertaining to records and records management. Restructures operations of the National Archives Trust Fund (the Fund). Requires the National Archives Trust Fund Board (the Board) to comply with all procurement rules applicable to NARA. Authorizes the Board to sell publications and charge a price for any publication and other item sold that shall not exceed the cost of producing the item, plus a profit of not more than 25 percent of that cost. Requires the Board to provide for the sale of reproductions of documents, motion pictures, and other records in the custody of the Archivist, at a price that does not exceed the cost of producing the reproductions. Requires reproductions to be provided without charge to requesters who qualify for a waiver of fees under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Board to establish a Visiting Scholars Program under which scholars may be provided travel and lodging support to visit NARA facilities. Provides for audits of the Fund. Requires excess profits in the Fund to be used for the Visiting Scholars Program and reproductions of NARA materials. Establishes in NARA an: (1) Advisory Committee on Electronic Records to advise the Archivist on matters pertaining to NARA acquisition, preservation, and documentation of electronic records; and (2) Advisory Committee on the National Archives to advise the Archivist on all NARA programs and activities and review NARA's role as a leader and resource for State and local archivists. Mandates a pilot program in each of three or more Federal agencies to make information in the Federal Register available without charge to the public through online access mechanisms. Establishes a term limit of seven years for the Archivist of the United States and subjects the Deputy Archivist to presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. Sets compensation for the Deputy Archivist at the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule. Increases the endowment requirement for Presidential libraries.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that any legislation passed by the Congress to address American health care needs must include coverage for mental disorders.
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
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce (current law) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to request the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to take necessary action to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the machine tool decision of the President on May 20, 1986, and on December 27, 1991; and (2) to enforce any imported machine tool quantitative limitations, restrictions, or other terms contained in related bilateral arrangements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce the quantitative limitations and other provisions of bilateral arrangements negotiated with Taiwan on December 31, 1991, pursuant to the President's machine tool decision of May 20, 1986, until bilateral agreements are negotiated with such countries pursuant to the President's December 27, 1991, decision.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
All-Soy Ink Printing Act of 1992 - Requires that all federally performed or procured printing be done with all-soy inks and pigment vehicles as soon as commercially cost competitive. Requires that all solicitations for printing and binding services made by the Government Printing Office encourage the use of ink with soy-based pigment vehicles.
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
Federal Employee Fairness Act of 1992 - Amends title VII (Equal Employment Opportunities) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require Federal agencies to make voluntary counseling and a voluntary alternative dispute resolution process available. Prohibits such agencies from discouraging Federal employees from filing discrimination complaints. Declares that the decision of an employee to forgo the counseling or dispute resolution shall not affect the employee's title VII rights. Sets forth procedures for filing and processing discrimination claims by Federal employees, including: (1) allowing filing of claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as well as with the agency which allegedly discriminated; (2) requiring the respondent to try to conciliate each claim through alternative dispute resolution procedures; (3) providing for stays of personnel actions; (4) allowing a civil action in district court for a de novo review of an EEOC order or a discrimination claim; (5) requiring the respondent to allow the aggrieved employee a reasonable amount of official time to prepare an administrative complaint and paid leave for time involved in such a civil action; and (6) authorizing disciplinary proceedings against a person who is determined to have discriminated. Applies provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to Federal employment, as in effect before enactment of this Act, to employment at the Library of Congress. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) with respect to discrimination in Federal employment. Allows aggrieved individuals to either: (1) file a complaint with the EEOC in accordance with certain Federal employment provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by this Act; or (2) commence a civil action in district court for de novo review of the violation. Requires the EEOC to: (1) notify promptly all persons named in the notice as prospective defendants in such action; and (2) take any appropriate action to eliminate any unlawful practice. Allows individuals with a complaint pending before the EEOC during a specified period the opportunity to commence a civil action within a specified period. Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees with respect to grievance procedures and actions involving discrimination. Allows a Federal employee to commence, within 120 days after a final decision in a grievance procedure, a civil action in an appropriate U.S. district court for de novo review of a complaint of discrimination prohibited by any law administered by the EEOC. Allows a Federal employee or applicant for Federal employment to file a complaint with the EEOC in accordance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and select specified administrative and judicial procedures under title VII or other Federal law relating to Federal employees for grievance procedures or actions involving discrimination. Directs the agency (including the EEOC and the Merit Systems Protection Board) that carries out such selected procedures to apply the appropriate substantive law. Allows a Federal employee who elected specified procedures, if the EEOC dismisses the claim under title VII, to raise the action within a certain time period under other specified procedures relating to Federal employees, except that no allegation of a kind involving specified Federal laws against discrimination cited in the dismissed complaint may be thus raised. Entitles a Federal employee to file within a specified period a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court for de novo review of the action raised under specified procedures if there is no judicially reviewable action at the end of a specified period. Directs the EEOC, within one year after enactment of this Act, to issue rules to: (1) assist Federal Government entities to comply with this Act; and (2) establish a uniform written notice and requirements applicable to collecting and preserving documents and information. Amends provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to Federal employment to replace certain references to the Civil Service Commission with reference to the EEOC.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1992 - Provides that not later than 30 days after a lobbyist first makes a lobbying contact, or agrees to make lobbying contacts, with a covered legislative or executive branch official, such lobbyist, or as provided below, the organization employing such lobbyist, shall register with the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public Disclosure (OLRAPD). Provides that any person whose total receipts or costs in connection with lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client do not exceed, or are not expected to exceed, $1,000 in a semiannual period is not required to register for such client. Defines "lobbyist" as any individual who is employed or retained by another for financial or other compensation to perform services that include lobbying contacts, other than an individual whose lobbying activities are only incidental to, and not a significant part of, the services for which such individual is paid. Specifies that such registration shall contain: (1) the name, address, business telephone number, and principal place of business of the registrant, and a general description of its business or activities; (2) the name, address, and principal place of business of the registrant's client, and a general description of its business or activities if different than those of the registrant; (3) the name of any organization, other than the client, that contributes more than $5,000 toward lobbying activities in a semiannual period, significantly participates in the supervision or control of lobbying activities, and has a direct financial interest in the outcome of lobbying activities; (4) the name, principal place of business, and approximate percentage of equitable ownership in the client of certain foreign entities; (5) a statement of general issue areas in which the registrant expects to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of the client and, to the extent practicable, a list of specific issues that have already been, or are likely to be addressed; and (6) the name of each employee of the registrant whom the registrant expects to act as a lobbyist on behalf of the client. Provides that in the case of a registrant representing more than one client, a separate registration shall be filed for each client represented. Requires any organization that has one or more employees who are lobbyists to file a single registration for each client on behalf of its employees who engage in lobbying activities on behalf of such client. Requires each registrant to file with OLRAPD a report on its lobbying activities during a semiannual period. Specifies the contents of such reports. Establishes within the Department of Justice an OLRAPD and sets forth OLRAPD administrative duties, which include: (1) prescribing such rules, forms, penalty schedules, and procedural regulations as are necessary for implementation of this Act; (2) making copies of each registration and report filed under this Act available to the public; and (3) transmitting to the President and the Congress periodic reports describing implementation of this Act. Establishes procedures for: (1) informal resolution of alleged noncompliance with the requirements of this Act; (2) determinations of noncompliance in cases where information provided to OLRAPD through the procedures established above indicates that a noncompliance may exist; and (3) addressing registrations and filings that are more than 30 days late and failures to provide such information. Provides for judicial review of written decisions issued by OLRAPD under the last two procedures enumerated above. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) revise the definition of "foreign principal;" (2) eliminate references to political propaganda and, in certain cases, replace such references with references to informational materials; and (3) modify the exemption for lawyers with respect to registration filing to make such exemption applicable to communications with agency officials only in the course of agency proceedings required by statute or regulation to be conducted on the record. Revises the limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions to: (1) eliminate certain disclosure provisions; (2) require declarations by applicants for Federal contracts, grants, loans, or cooperative agreements to name any registrant under this Act who has made lobbying contracts on behalf of such applicant with respect to that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and (3) require similar declarations with respect to Federal loan guarantees. Repeals provisions under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act relating to housing lobbyist activities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Rural Communities Hazardous Waste Information Act of 1992 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the issuance of permits for off site hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities to be located in a rural community unless a rural community impact statement has been prepared. Makes such statements available for public review. Sets forth requirements concerning the selection of independent contractors to prepare such statements. Provides for the imposition of fees on permit applicants. Requires such fees to be in an amount necessary to cover the cost of preparing impact statements. Requires impact statements to describe: (1) the economic and social impacts of the proposed facility on each rural community which is within a 20-mile radius of the facility site, including effects on employment, recreational amenities, tourism, public safety and emergency preparedness, and transportation systems; and (2) the costs of mitigating such impacts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates August 1, 1992, the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki accords), as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Calls upon the President to: (1) issue a proclamation reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Act, urging all signatory states to abide by their obligations under the Helsinki accords; (2) continue his efforts to achieve full implementation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions of the Helsinki accords by raising the issue of noncompliance on the part of any signatory State which may be in violation; (3) convey to all signatories that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a vital element of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) in view of the considerable progress made to date, develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Helsinki process, and in so doing address the major problems that remain.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
Condemns the violence in South Africa. Urges the Government of South Africa to take steps to end the violence and protect all South Africans. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should prepare and transmit to the Senate a report on the nature of the violence in South Africa, the role that the various particpants are playing, and the impact of such violence on South Africa's transition to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
National Guard and Reserve Personnel Transition Benefits Act of 1992 - Title I: Personnel Protections Transition Plan - Provides that, during the period beginning on October 1, 1991, and ending on September 30, 1995 (force reduction transition period), no unit in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve (the Reserve) of the armed forces may be deactivated and no member of the Reserve may be involuntarily separated from the armed forces, involuntarily reassigned to a unit or position not in the Reserve, or otherwise involuntarily given a status not in the Reserve before the Secretary of Defense has promulgated, implemented, and transmitted to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees regulations that govern the treatment of members of the Reserve assigned to such units and subjected to such actions, with exceptions. Specifies that: (1) the purpose of such regulations shall be to ensure that the members of the Reserve are treated with fairness, with respect for their service, and with attention to the adverse personal consequences of Reserve unit deactivations and other involuntary changes in their status; and (2) such regulations shall include such provisions as necessary to implement the provisions of this Act, as well as such other policies and procedures for the recruitment of personnel for the Reserve, and for the reassignment, retraining, separation, and retirement of Reserve members, as are appropriate for satisfying the needs of the Reserve together with such purpose. Directs that such regulations include: (1) the giving of a priority to Reserve personnel for reassignment to Reserve units not being deactivated and for transfer among the reserve components of the armed forces in order to facilitate reassignment to such units; (2) a requirement that the Secretaries of the military departments take diligent actions to ensure that members of the reserve components are informed in easily understandable terms of the rights and benefits conferred upon such personnel by this Act and by such regulations; and (3) such other protections, preferences, and benefits (protections) as the Secretary considers appropriate. Requires such regulations to apply uniformly to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Makes such protections inapplicable with respect to personnel who are separated or transferred under adverse conditions. Title II: Retired Pay - Authorizes the Secretary concerned (with exceptions) to grant a person under age 60, upon the application of such person, immediate reduced retired pay if: (1) as of October 1, 1991, such person has performed at least 20 years of service, or after that date and before October 1, 1995, completes 20 years of service; (2) the person is a member of the Reserve; (3) the person satisfies specified age and service requirements; and (4) the person applies for the immediate reduced retired pay within one year after the later of the date of the enactment of this Act or the date on which the person satisfies the applicable years-of-service requirement (such dates). Permits the Secretary concerned (with exceptions) to grant a person, upon application of such person, retired pay if: (1) as of October 1, 1991, such person has performed at least 15 years of service or after that date and before October 1, 1995, completes 15 years of service; (2) the person is a member of the Reserve; (3) the person satisfies specified age and service requirements; and (4) within one year after the later of such dates, the person applies for retired pay or requests transfer to an inactive status list. Authorizes the Secretary concerned (subject to restrictions consistent with the purpose set forth in this Act) to limit the applicability of provisions under this title to any category of personnel defined by such Secretary in order to meet a need of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned to reduce the number of members in certain grades, who have completed a certain number of years of service, or who possess certain military skills or are serving in designated competitive categories. Sets forth a formula for reduced retired pay for non-regular service members of the armed forces who retire before age 60. Title III: Additional Benefits - Entitles a member of the Reserve who, after completing at least six, and before completing 15, years of service, is involuntarily separated from the armed forces during the force reduction transition period, to separation pay. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such pay. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the relationship of such pay to other service-related pay; and (2) uniformity of regulations among the various armed services. Provides that a person who involuntarily ceases to be a member of the Reserve during the force reduction transition period may be provided educational assistance for specified periods of time, based upon the number of years of service completed. Sets forth: (1) further provisions with respect to educational assistance; and (2) provisions regarding refunds of contributions in cases where a person's entitlement to such assistance is reduced below 36 months. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations to authorize a person who involuntarily ceases to be a member of the Reserve during the force reduction transition period to continue to use commissary and exchange stores for a specified period. Extends the period of group life insurance coverage from 120 to 365 days in the case of a former member of the Reserve. Sets forth requirements with respect to eligibility, payment of premiums, and actions necessary to implement this provision. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned (with exceptions) to limit the applicability of a benefit provided under this title to any category of personnel defined by such Secretary in order to meet a need of the armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned to reduce the number of members in certain grades, who have completed a certain number of years of service, or who possess certain military skills or are serving in designated competitive categories. Makes the provisions of this title inapplicable with respect to personnel who cease to be members of the Reserve under adverse conditions. Specifies that the eligibility of a member of a reserve component of the armed forces (after having involuntarily ceased to be a member of the Reserve) to receive benefits and privileges under this title terminates upon the involuntary separation of such member from the armed forces under adverse conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Commends and congratulates the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour for the magnificent rescue of the INTELSAT VI satellite and for the successful maiden voyage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct election of the President and Vice President and eliminates the electoral college. Declares that the times, places, and manner of holding presidential elections and entitlement to inclusion on the ballot shall be prescribed by State law, but that the Congress may by law make or alter such regulations. States that the days for such elections shall be determined by the Congress and shall be uniform throughout the United States. Requires the Congress to prescribe the times, places, and manner in which the results of such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Requires such elections, other than runoff elections, to be held not later than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and the results declared no later than 30 days after the date of the election. Authorizes the Congress to provide for the case of death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before an election and for the case of the death of either the President-elect or Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Medicare Beneficiary Protection Act of 1992 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) provide that an individual enrolled under such part shall not be liable for physicians' charges in excess of authorized amounts; (2) provide pre-payment screening of nonparticipating physician claims; (3) require nonparticipating physicians to refund excess charges; (4) refer for sanctions any physicians who fail to make refunds; (5) send information on limiting charges and limited liability for excess charges to individuals enrolled under Medicare part B; (6) report annually to the Congress on charges in excess of authorized amounts; (7) provide for payment to Medicare beneficiaries, out of civil monetary penalties, of amounts charged in excess of limiting charges; and (8) establish a Medicare Beneficiary Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Declares the 27th article of amendment to the Constitution, providing that no law varying the compensation for the services of Members of Congress shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened, to be part of the Constitution.
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
Medicare Geographic Data Accuracy Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with State medical societies in revising the geographic adjustment factors used to determine reimbursements for physician services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare. Requires the Secretary to base geographic-cost-of-practice indices under Medicare upon the most recent available data.
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
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow, on order of a veterinarian: (1) a new animal drug approved for one use to be used for a different purpose; and (2) a new drug approved for human use to be used in non-food producing animals.
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 · 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
Multiple Award Schedule Program Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish and administer procedures for the negotiation and award of contracts under the multiple award schedule program (i.e., the program under which GSA awards multiple award schedule contracts (MASCs) through either the Federal Supply Services or the Information Resources Management Service, including any program whereby such contracts are awarded by another Federal agency under authority delegated by the Administrator) to provide Federal agencies with a means to acquire limited quantities of commercially available products or services at fair and reasonable prices, with a minimum of administrative burden. Specifies that: (1) GSA's pricing objective shall be to obtain fair and reasonable prices (and that no award shall be made without a written supportable determination that such contract prices are fair and reasonable, or withheld without such a determination that fair and reasonable contract prices cannot be achieved); (2) prices for items solicited for MASCs shall be negotiated based upon established catalog or market prices, with exceptions; (3) the determination of whether fair and reasonable prices have been negotiated shall be made in accordance with specified price or cost analysis techniques; and (4) schedule offerors shall be required to submit to GSA only the minimum amount of discount and sales data necessary to support a determination of fair and reasonable prices (but that discount and sales information relating to non-end user commercial buyers operating under different terms and conditions than the Government ordinarily shall not be required). Sets forth: (1) circumstances under which prices under schedule contracts shall be subject to adjustment; and (2) related procurement requirements. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a procedure whereby schedule offerors may appeal decisions of the contracting officer on pre-award matters relating to pricing to the head of the contracting activity or an appropriate designee at a level above the contracting officer; (2) appoint a senior procurement executive to be responsible for management direction of the program (who shall develop procedures to assure the timely award and administration of MASCs and serve as the Administrator's liaison to user agencies and multiple award schedule contractors); (3) develop and maintain a training program for agency personnel responsible for the negotiation and award of MASCs; and (4) assure that Federal agencies authorized to use MASCs are provided access to all schedule contracts awarded and, upon request, provide guidance to those agencies concerning the proper use of such contracts in accordance with governing regulations. Requires GSA's board of contract appeals, upon request of an offeror for an MASC, to review any decision by a contracting officer or other designated individual in connection with the award or failure to award such contract which is alleged to violate a statute or regulation. Specifies applicable standards of review and governing procedures. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require agency advocates for competition to review the compliance of their respective agencies with the regulations governing the use of MASCs. Directs the Administrator to revise the procedures governing the negotiation and award of MASCs to reflect the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Long-Term Care Family Security Act of 1992 - Title I: Community Care and Nursing Facility Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI, Community Care and Nursing Facility Care. Entitles U.S. citizens and resident aliens (eligible individuals) who are moderately or severely disabled to community and nursing facility care. Specifies the scope of community and nursing facility care coverage. Sets limits on the hours of community care on the basis of the level of impairment. Provides that additional hours of community care may be made available to individuals with greater needs from pooled benefit hours. Provides for adjustment in computation of hours of community care to account for variation in intensity of types of care. Sets limits on short-term nursing facility care. Provides for assessment agency: (1) determination of the level of impairment of eligible individuals and financial eligibility for community and nursing facility care benefits; and (2) review of the quality of care provided under new title XXI. Requires care managers to: (1) establish and periodically review and revise plans of care for community care; (2) arrange for and monitor the provision and quality of community care and authorize payment for care; and (3) allocate additional hours of community care among different individuals who have been certified moderately or severely disabled and whose plans of care are being monitored. Provides for payment for community and nursing facility care. Requires that payment rates for home- and community-based services be based on a fee schedule or other prospective payment methodology established and annually adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Subjects such services to specified coinsurance requirements. Requires that payment rates for nursing facilities be based on a specified prospective payment system. Provides that payment for care under new title XXI may be made only to providers and facilities that meet specified conditions. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to provide for appointment of a Long-Term Care Payment Assessment Commission to: (1) make annual recommendations to the Secretary and the Congress on appropriate payment rates for community and nursing facility care; and (2) provide for specified studies and reports to the Congress about them. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for assistance to low-income individuals for coinsurance for community and short-term nursing facility care and charges for assessments. Provides protected resource levels with respect to long-term nursing facility care. Provides for determination of the amount of the resident-specific deductible for nursing facility care. Creates in the Treasury the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for financing the community and nursing facility care program established above. Authorizes appropriations. Makes miscellaneous and technical amendments to Medicare and Medicaid (SSA titles XVIII and XIX) provisions, with changes including: (1) limits on Federal financial participation under Medicaid for services covered under new title XXI; (2) prohibitions on duplication of Medicaid benefits with benefits under such title; and (3) limits on skilled nursing facility care under Medicare. Title II: Financing Provisions - Provides that the public program of long-term care insurance under new title XXI shall be funded through one or more funding means in a manner that is: (1) progressive in the aggregate; (2) sufficient, each year, over time, and in the aggregate, to cover the net costs of the program; and (3) not derived from any one age group of society. Requires States to maintain current levels of financial commitment under Medicaid for population groups and long-term care services covered under the public program. Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance - Subtitle A: Establishment of Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends new title XXI to require the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or, in its absence, the Secretary, to promulgate standards for State programs to regulate long-term care insurance policies that incorporate specified requirements with respect to issuers and policy content and sales. Requires standards relating to issuers to provide for: (1) examination of policy and full refund; (2) explanation of claims denials; and (3) limitations on agent compensation. Requires standards relating to policy content to provide for: (1) use of standard definitions and terminology and uniform format; (2) minimum benefits; (3) limitations on use of preexisting condition limits; (4) protection against inflation; (5) limits on premium increases; (6) guarantees of renewability, continuation, and conversion; and (7) upgrade rights. Requires standards relating to policy sales to provide for: (1) agent certification; and (2) prohibitions against sales of duplicate policies and sales to Medicaid beneficiaries and certain unfair sales practices. Sets forth enforcement provisions. Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth provisions similar to those above providing for the establishment of standards for long-term care insurance policies. Requires the Secretary, after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on standards for insurer solvency protection. Subtitle B: Clarification of Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Services and Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accord: (1) the community and nursing facility care provided under new SSA title XXI the same tax treatment (including expense deductions) as medical care; and (2) insurance policies for such community and nursing facility care the same tax treatment as accident and health insurance policies. Provides for the tax treatment of certain pre-death benefits and benefit riders. Amends SSA title XI to prohibit applicants or recipients under specified public assistance programs from being required to make an election respecting certain pre-death benefits under life insurance policies. Title IV: Additional Grants and Demonstration Projects - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to community care agencies to assist them in providing community care to low-income individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make grants to public and private entities to develop programs to train individuals to provide home health, homemaker, and personal assistance services for which payment may be made under SSA new title XXI. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize additional appropriations for long-term care ombudsman programs. Includes within the jurisdiction of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman the investigation of complaints by recipients of community care under new SSA title XXI. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to authorize additional appropriations for information and referral services for the community and nursing facility care program under new SSA title XXI. Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to expand information and counseling services to include information and referral to such community and nursing facility care program. Title V: Review of Pharmaceutical Benefits - Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to provide for the appointment of a Pharmaceutical Payment Assessment and Policy Review Commission. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress on prescription drug costs and on issues with respect to coverage of prescription drugs under Federal health care programs. Makes appropriations for the Commission. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) demonstration projects to assess the impact on cost, quality of care, and access to prescription drugs and pharmaceutical services of developing a prescription drug benefit for individuals that are receiving benefits for long-term care under new SSA title XXI; and (2) a Long-Term Care Prescription Drug Use Review Committee to advise about such demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Child Support Tax Equity Act of 1992 - Declares that nothing in this Act should be construed to affect the right of an individual or State to receive child support payments or the obligation of an individual to pay child support. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonbusiness bad debt deduction for unpaid child support payments. Limits such deduction to $10,000 per child. Allows such deduction to taxpayers whose gross income does not exceed $40,000 and who are owed payments of at least $500. Requires payments to be delinquent during the entire taxable year. Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for amounts under this Act. Requires subsequent payments to be included in the gross income of the recipient. Requires any taxable unpaid child support payments of a taxpayer to be treated as amounts includible in gross income by reason of the discharge of indebtedness of the taxpayer. Allows a deduction for subsequently made payments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop, issue, and commence implementation of a plan for the restructuring of the employee work force of Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear facilities. Outlines plan requirements, including: (1) that any changes in functions or missions at such facilities be carried out so as to minimize the economic impact of such changes on such DOE employees, with prior notice of such changes at least 120 days before they take place, retraining, early retirement and attrition, and other similar means of minimization; (2) first preference for terminated DOE defense facility employees in any DOE hiring; (3) retraining of such employees for work in environmental restoration and waste management activities of DOE; (4) relocation assistance for appropriate employees; (5) retraining, education, and reemployment assistance for employment outside of DOE; and (6) local impact assistance to communities that are affected by any DOE defense facility restructuring plan. Directs the Secretary to issue yearly plan updates containing specified information. Requires appropriate consultation by the Secretary when developing such plans. Requires all plans and updates to be submitted to specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary, when entering into a contract for the procurement of environmental restoration and waste management activities (contract) at a DOE nuclear defense facility, to require the contractor and any subcontractor to: (1) recognize any collective bargaining agreements in force at the facility and any labor organizations authorized to act on behalf of such employees; (2) employ employees of the collective bargaining units at such facility; (3) assume the liability and obligations of the pension programs of the preceding employer at such facility for employees retained under the contract; and (4) credit periods of employment with previous employers toward contract requirements relating to sick leave, vacations, health insurance, and other employment-related benefits, with limitations. Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a program for the identification and ongoing medical evaluation of current and former DOE employees who are subject to significant health risks as a result of exposure to hazardous or radioactive substances during such employment. Outlines program implementation provisions, requiring the Secretary to: (1) carry out certain activities under the program in concurrence with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); (2) permit the participation of specified organizations; (3) notify each employee identified and examined or tested of test results; (4) collect and assemble information relating to such examinations and tests; (5) carry out such program within one year after enactment of this Act; and (6) enter into an agreement with the Secretary of HHS under which each Secretary of Energy carries out required activities under the program. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to provide for insurance to cover the reasonable health care costs for DOE employees who: (1) were defense nuclear facility employees; (2) through such employment, received a level of exposure to hazardous or radioactive substances that poses a significant risk to such employee's health; (3) as a result of such exposure, have developed a significant illness, disease, or clinical sensitivity; and (4) are not entitled to benefits under the Medicare or any other health insurance program. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe, with participation by specified organizations, standards for determining the eligibility of former employees for such insurance coverage. Requires establishment of the insurance program within six months after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Prohibits any member or employee of the Senate from receiving from a congressional or other Federal entity any service or benefit at Government expense or at a discount that is of a kind or in an amount not typically provided by employers or that is not necessary or appropriate for the member or employee to perform his or her duties. Establishes the Commission on Senate Perquisites. Requires the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to report to the Commission on: (1) the services and benefits available to Senate members and employees that are not equally available to all other persons or that are available in or near the Senate buildings at below fair market value; and (2) how such services and benefits contribute to the members' and employees' performance of their duties. Requires the Commission, upon receipt of such report, to review the services and benefits provided to Senate members and employees. Directs the Commission to report to the majority and minority leaders of the Senate proposing introduction of a resolution that: (1) describes those benefits and services that may not properly be made available in or near Senate buildings by Government or private sector employees at the expense of Senate members and employees; and (2) directs the appropriate Senate officers to arrange for the provision of such services and benefits at fair market value. Authorizes any Senate member to introduce such a resolution and provides for its consideration. Requires all payments received for such services and benefits provided by Government employees and all rent and other payments received from private contractors that provide such services and benefits to be paid into the deficit reduction account of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Pays tribute to Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly in appreciation for his dedication and commitment to: (1) promoting the goals and objectives of our Nation's civil space program; (2) sustaining America's leadership in space and aeronautics; and (3) inspiring our youth to continue to reach for the stars. Commends him for outstanding leadership of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through difficult program and policy debates and wishes him God speed as he brings to a close an exemplary career in Government service to chart new waters.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
National Triad Program Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to conduct a national assessment of: (1) the nature and extent of crimes against the elderly; (2) the needs of law enforcement, health, and social service organizations in working to prevent, identify, investigate, and provide assistance to victims of such crimes; and (3) promising strategies to respond effectively to those challenges. Specifies that such assessment shall address: (1) the analysis and synthesis of data from a range of sources; (2) the problems of elderly who are living alone or in high crime areas and who are abused and neglected, and the fear of victimization; (3) the identification of strategies and techniques that have been shown to be effective or which show promise; (4) the analysis of the factors that enhance or inhibit development of a coordinated response by law enforcement, health care, and social service providers; and (5) the research agenda needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the problems of crimes against the elderly. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such assessment. Authorizes the Director to make awards to coalitions of local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and organizations representing the elderly for pilot programs and field tests of promising strategies and models for forging partnerships for crime prevention and service provision. Specifies that pilot programs funded under this Act may include existing general service coalitions of law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations that wish to use additional funds to work at a particular problem in their community or to target a particular geographic area in need of intensive services. Authorizes the Director to make awards to: (1) coalitions of national law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations for training and technical assistance in implementing pilot programs; (2) research organizations to investigate the types of elder victimization shown by the assessment to present particularly critical problems or emerging crimes about which little is known, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pilot programs, and to conduct research and development identified as being critical; and (3) public service advertising coalitions to increase public awareness of, and promote ideas or programs to prevent, crimes against the elderly. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000236_200.jpg)