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United States · Official source
2,765 records where Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Calls for baseball owners, players, and their negotiators to settle their differences and begin spring training and the regular season as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the enactment of the 25th anniversary of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and its successful implementation should be recognized; (2) the contributions at all levels of the aging network fostered by this Act should be recognized; and (3) the Congress and citizens should reaffirm their support for the Act and its primary goals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1990
Calls upon the President to urge Soviet President Gorbachev to publicly condemn the emergence of popular anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union and to protect Soviet Jews from harassment and violence.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1990
Health Insurance Counseling, and Assistance Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make grants to States for the establishment or improvement of a program providing information, counseling, and assistance regarding the procurement of adequate and appropriate health insurance coverage to individuals who are eligible to receive benefits under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (2) annually convene a conference to provide training and information to State health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program staff members; and (3) establish a national resource center for the purposes of creating a health insurance information clearinghouse, distributing such information to States, and providing States with technical assistance and training in disseminating such information. Authorizes appropriations for such grant programs and the national resource center.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1990
Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the number of criminal investigators in the EPA Office of Criminal Investigations during FY 1991 through 1995. Requires the Administrator to hire 50 civil investigators to assist the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring in developing and prosecuting civil and administrative actions. Directs the Administrator to establish within the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring the National Enforcement Training Institute to train lawyers, inspectors, investigators, and technical experts in environmental law enforcement. Establishes the Pollution Prosecution Fund. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
Condemns the Government of Cuba for retaliating against citizens who testified before the delegation of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC). Urges such Government to release all political prisoners. Calls upon the Secretary General to prepare and make available to the UNHRC a report on the results of his contacts with the Cuban Government. Urges the UNHRC to: (1) hold Cuba accountable to the standards embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and (2) appoint a Special Rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Cuba and submit a report for consideration at the 47th Session of the UNHRC.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1990
Social Security Office Access Restoration Act of 1990 - Requires that the public be given telephone access to field offices of the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the level of regional telephone access that was available on September 30, 1988. Requires that callers on the SSA toll-free telephone line be given the number of, and notice of their option of calling, the field office or regional teleservice center in their area. Requires the publication in each local geographic area of the address and telephone number of the SSA field office serving such area and the telephone number of the regional teleservice center closest to such area.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1990
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to repeal an exemption from specified communicable disease control requirements of the Public Health Service Act for waste disposal from railroads operating in intercity rail passenger service. Prohibits the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) from discharging waste from its trains except at servicing areas approved by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Authorizes Amtrak to impose a service charge on its passengers to cover costs incurred by it in complying with this Act. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations prohibiting the discharge of waste from trains while such trains are: (1) traveling in an urban area; (2) outside of an urban area and traveling at a speed under 35 miles per hour; and (3) within a passenger or freight facility. Sets forth civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1990
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1993, the duty on copper acetate monohydrate.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1990
Comprehensive Services Program for Homeless Veterans Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a comprehensive services program to address fully the needs of homeless veterans through housing, medical care, vocational rehabilitation, transportation, and social services provided through this Act and other programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Requires each director of a medical center of the Department to carry out jointly with the veterans' benefits director of the region concerned an assessment concerning the number of homeless veterans in the area and current services provided. Requires joint preparation, for each of FY 1991 through 1994, of a plan for meeting the needs of homeless veterans in the area, to be submitted to the Secretary. Provides funding from the Secretary to the directors for such assessment and plans. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1994. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of outreach service centers in areas where there are significant numbers of homeless veterans. Outlines staffing and services of such centers. Directs the Secretary to provide mobile support teams to assist in the provision of benefits through medically-equipped vans in areas high in homeless veterans and in rural areas lacking adequate access to Department medical facilities. Expands the current veterans' benefits available to homeless veterans to include dental, optometric, and podiatric services. Requires the director of each medical center of the Department to use funds provided by the Secretary for homeless veterans assistance to make monthly assistance available for housing for homeless veterans and their families, under specified conditions. Prohibits provision of such assistance for longer than one year for each homeless veteran. Requires a homeless veteran receiving such assistance to be employed for at least 18 hours a week or to be involved in a compensated work therapy program administered by the Department. Requires each director to establish a program for the provision of housing owned or leased by the Department in which veterans with chronic mental illness or veterans recovering from alcohol or drug abuse may reside. Outlines program requirements similar to housing assistance program requirements. Requires each director to establish a revolving fund to make loans for the cost of establishing programs for the provision of housing to mentally ill veterans or veterans recovering from alcohol or drug abuse. Outlines loan conditions and guidelines. Directs the Secretary, for each of FY 1991 through 1994, to carry out evaluations of the programs established under this Act and to make specified congressional reports. Authorizes the Secretary to accept donations of services and equipment in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1990
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1990, and ending October 13, 1990, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1990
Commends President Bush for agreeing to represent the United States at the drug summit in Colombia on February 15, 1990. Urges the President to: (1) request that all countries ratify the U.N. Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and enact strong chemical diversion laws; (2) work with Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian authorities to cooperate with their drug enforcement officials to eliminate chemical diversion in their countries; and (3) encourage the Colombians to institute internal licensing requirements to control the flow of chemicals.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Civil Rights Act of 1990 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide that: (1) once a complainant has demonstrated that an employment practice results in a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, the respondent has the burden of proving that the practice is justified by business necessity; (2) a complainant need not demonstrate which of a group of practices results in the demonstrated disparate impact; and (3) a respondent need not show business necessity for a specific practice within a group of practices if the respondent shows that that practice does not contribute to the disparate impact. Declares that an unlawful employment practice is established on a demonstration that race, color, religion, sex, or national origin was a motivating factor for any employment practice, even though such practice was also motivated by other factors, but bars certain types of relief if the respondent establishes that it would have taken the same action in the absence of any discrimination. Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a challenge to an employment practice that implements a litigated or consent judgment or order resolving a claim of employment discrimination: (1) by a person who had certain types of notice and opportunity; (2) by a person whose interests were adequately represented by another person who challenged the judgment or order; or (3) if reasonable efforts were made to provide notice to interested persons. Increases to two years the time limit within which a charge of an unlawful employment practice must be filed. Removes provisions setting a separate time limit for charges initially filed with a State or local agency. Declares that a seniority system or practice which is part of a collective bargaining agreement is an unlawful employment practice if it was included in the agreement with the intent to discriminate. Allows, except for disparate impact cases, for compensatory damages (but not back pay) and, where there is malice or reckless or callous indifference, for punitive damages. Allows any party, where compensatory or punitive damages are sought, to demand a jury trial. Includes expert fees and other litigation expenses in any attorney's fees awarded. Prohibits a consent order or judgment settling a claim unless the parties and their counsel attest that a waiver of attorneys' fees was not compelled as a condition of the settlement. Allows to the prevailing party in the original action an award of attorneys' fees and costs in defending a challenged judgment or order. Increases to 90 days after final action by a Federal agency the time limit for a Federal employee to bring a civil action. Allows to Federal employees the same interest to compensate for delay in payment as in cases involving non-public parties. Requires all Federal civil rights laws to be broadly construed to effect their purpose to eliminate discrimination and provide effective remedies. Prohibits, except as expressly provided, any Federal civil rights law from being construed to restrict or limit the rights, procedures, or remedies available under any other Federal civil rights law. Declares that, for purposes of provisions relating to equal rights under the law, the right to make and enforce contracts includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contractual relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1990 - Title I: Compensation - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of, and limitations on, Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation to coincide with benefit increases under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires such rate increases to be published in the Federal Register. Extends the presumption of service-connection, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation, to cover members of the reserves who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty for training or inactive duty for training. Title II: Health Care - Extends through FY 1991 a pilot program under the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 for the provision of mobile health-care clinics for the treatment of veterans residing at least 100 miles from a Department of Veterans Affairs treatment facility. Increases the maximum limitations for the provision of certain home health services to disabled veterans. Title III: Insurance - Makes totally disabled veterans qualifying for a waiver of the premium for service disabled veterans' insurance eligible for supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance for totally disabled veterans. Increases from $40,000 to $90,000 the initial amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance available to certain veterans granted assistance in securing suitable housing. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Extends through 1993 the period in which a veteran of the Vietnam era will be considered as such for purposes of eligibility for job training, counseling, and placement services. Expands the current authority of the Secretary to acquire and provide housing for homeless veterans in order to allow acquisitions to provide transitional housing for veterans recovering from substance abuse or mental illness disabilities. Extends such program through 1993. Establishes in the Treasury the Transitional Housing Fund for the provision of housing and loans to assist veterans in recovering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities. Outlines loan conditions and conditions for veterans residing in housing provided. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for the operation of such residences. Makes permanent (current law terminates on March 1, 1991) the requirement that the Department provide information and counseling about the effects and alternatives to foreclosure to veterans who default on Department-guaranteed home loans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Commends the people of Chile for their commitment to democracy. Congratulates President-elect Patricio Aylwin for his decisive victory. Pledges support for the new civilian government in Chile.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1990
Harvest of Peace Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should establish as a primary foreign and domestic policy objective the achievement of common security by: (1) negotiating agreements with the Soviet Union and urging other nations to reduce military forces and spending with the goal of having worldwide military spending by the year 2000; (2) reducing military assistance and arms sales to developing nations; (3) encouraging the peaceful settlement of conflicts; (4) providing increased assistance to developing nations to overcome hunger and poverty, reduce debt burdens, promote human rights, ensure sustainable development, and protect the environment; (5) increasing support domestically for programs that address human needs; (6) helping defense industries and their employees convert to productive nondefense work; and (7) reducing the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1990
Health Objectives 2000 Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for allotments to States for developing and implementing a plan to develop and collect data on the public health needs and status of State residents. Requires the plan to provide, for FY 1993 and thereafter, for use of the allotments for additional purposes described in specified provisions relating to preventive health and health services block grants. Requires the State plan to contain, among other elements, a set of at least five State health objectives chosen from the National Health Priorities described by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) the National Health Objectives Advisory Committee; (2) National Health Priorities (NHPs) to form the basis for all activities that receive assistance under this Act; (3) from the NHPs, a set of Core Priorities that shall be included in each State Plan; and (4) an estimate of the personnel and training needed to accomplish the NHPs. Directs the Secretary, from the amounts made available for allotments, to use: (1) a limited amount for the professional training of public health personnel; and (2) remaining amounts to assist research, pilot, and demonstration projects, and programs the Secretary determines to show the potential impact of regional or national significance with respect to NHPs. Repeals specified provisions relating to preventive health and health services block grants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1990
Denounces the military offensive in Angola and urges an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of MPLA forces. Supports a peaceful settlement leading to free and fair elections. Urges the U.S. Government to: (1) request the Soviet Union to urge the MPLA to cease its offensive and enter into direct negotiations with UNITA; and (2) continue to assist UNITA and assist in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1990
Provides for all Federal civilian and military retirees to receive the full cost-of-living adjustment in annuities payable under Federal retirement systems for FY 1991. (Includes benefits payable under the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System, military retirement and survivor benefit programs, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and railroad retirement programs.)
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1990
Calls upon the United Nations to repeal General Assembly Resolution 3379 (equating Zionism with racism). Commends the President for his commitment to this goal and requires progress reports to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1990
Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act of 1990 - Requires that tuna products containing tuna caught by methods lethal to dolphins be labeled to inform purchasers of that fact. Permits the labeling of other tuna products as dolphin safe. Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and of Health and Human Services to prescribe recordkeeping requirements that will facilitate the verification of such claims. Sets forth enforcement and penalty provisions, including the authorization of citizen suits against violators of this Act's provisions or its regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1990
Fair Trade in Financial Services Act of 1990 - Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize Federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission respectively to deny applications filed by foreign persons to conduct banking or securities activities in the United States if the Secretary of the Treasury has published a determination in the Federal Register that the relevant foreign country does not offer U.S. bankers and securities dealers and brokers the same competitive opportunities, including effective market access, as are available to its domestic counterparts. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate negotiations with foreign countries to ensure that they offer U.S. banking and securities interests such opportunities; and (2) submit annual status reports to the Congress regarding foreign treatment of such U.S. business interests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1990
Designates April 29 through May 5, 1990, as Jewish Heritage Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1990
Designates April 22 through April 28, 1990, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued in honor of Claude Pepper.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to repeal an exemption from specified communicable disease control requirements of the Public Health Service Act for waste disposal from railroads operating in intercity rail passenger service.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
National Commemorative Events Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Commemorative Events to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed commemorative event be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national commemorative events submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Designates May 6 through May 12, 1990, as Be Kind to Animals and National Pet Week.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1989
Revises the authority of the HUD/MOD Rehab Investigation Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, to conduct an investigation of fraud and abuse in the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs' Moderate Rehabilitation Program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any Bell telephone company to conduct research on, manufacture, and provide telecommunications equipment, notwithstanding current antitrust laws to the contrary, except that a Bell company may not engage in such manufacturing or provision, or both, through a joint manufacturing agreement with any other Bell telephone company. Requires any Bell company to conduct such activity through a subsidiary that is fully separate from any other entity owned or otherwise affiliated with any Bell company. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue rules to ensure that such subsidiary shall: (1) maintain separate accounts and records from the parent Bell company which identify all transactions with the parent company; (2) carry out directly its own marketing, sales, production, maintenance, manufacturing, and research and development relating to the equipment it provides, except for institutional advertising not related to specific telecommunications equipment; (3) conduct all of its manufacturing activity within the United States; (4) have no more than 90 percent of its equity owned by its parent company; (5) acquire all the debt necessary to finance itself from financial markets outside the operations of its parent company; and (6) operate at all times on an arms-length basis from any of its parent company's other businesses, including Bell's telecommunications services businesses. Requires the FCC to issue regulations requiring that any Bell company engaging in such activity must: (1) provide to other telecommunications equipment manufacturers opportunities to sell such equipment to itself or any of its affiliates which are comparable to the opportunities it provides to itself; and (2) not subsidize its fully separate subsidiary with revenues from its regulated telecommunications services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Citizens Drug Control Contributions Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for contributions by taxpayers with their income tax returns to the Special Forfeiture Fund (established under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988) for drug control efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Condemns the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) for initiating a military offensive on November 11, 1989. Deplores the armed seizure of a San Salvador hotel. Deplores the murder of six Jesuit priests and two women. Demands that those responsible for their murder, as well as for the bombing of the headquarters of a local labor union, be brought to justice. Deplores the continuing violence in El Salvador. Calls for a disengagement of military forces to allow international humanitarian organizations to provide medical attention and supplies to the civilian casualties. Urges the United Nations and the Organization of American States to encourage the FMLN and the Salvadoran Government to enter into a ceasefire and withdrawal of FMLN forces from urban areas. Urges the Government of El Salvador and the FMLN to resume a peaceful dialogue. Commends President Cristiani for sending representatives to the meeting scheduled in Caracas, Venezuela, to seek a political settlement of the conflict. Declares that if the Salvadoran Government fails to make every good faith effort to prosecute and punish those responsible for the November 16 murder of six Jesuit priests and two women, the Congress will review the question of aid to El Salvador. Requests the Administration to report to the Congress by February 20, 1990, on the status of the investigation of such murders. Urges the administration to provide emergency assistance to the innocent victims of the war through the International Red Cross and other appropriate channels.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Title I: Noncorporate Taxpayers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the capital gains tax for noncorporate taxpayers. Establishes a scale for determining such deduction up to a maximum of 50 percent after owning assets for ten years. Establishes a separate scale for assets held before October 14, 1989, up to a maximum deduction of 25 percent after owning assets for ten years. Provides for recapturing the gain from disposition of certain depreciable property. Title II: Corporations - Reduces the alternative capital gains tax for corporations by establishing a scale for determining such tax rate based on owning assets for two to ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Designates the week of June 10 through June 16, 1990, as State-Supported Homes for Veterans Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Designates April 1990 as National Prevent-A-Litter Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1989
Title I: Federal Victim's Services and Protections Compliance Act - Federal Victim's Services and Protections Compliance Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish an evaluation system for law enforcement officers which rates such officers on their compliance with specified laws protecting victims of crimes; and (2) use such evaluation system to create standards governing services to victims and witnesses in Federal cases and to serve as a model to States and localities. Requires the Office for Victims of Crime to report periodically to the public, the Congress, and the President on victim protections and on compliance with this Act. Title II: The Federal Child Victim's Bill of Rights - Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow, in any civil or criminal proceeding involving an alleged offense against a child or involving a child witness, the prosecuting attorney, the child's attorney, or the guardian ad litem to apply (at least five days before the trial date) for a court order that the child's testimony be taken in a room outside the courtroom and be televised by two-way closed-circuit television (TV). Authorizes the court to order that such testimony be taken by closed-circuit TV if it finds that the child is unable to testify in open court because of: (1) the child's persistent refusal to testify despite judicial requests to do so; (2) the child's total inability to communicate about the offense because of extreme fear, total failure of memory, or other similar reasons; or (3) the substantial likelihood that the child will suffer severe emotional trauma from so testifying. Requires: (1) the court to support any ruling on the child's inability to testify in open court with findings on the record; and (2) expert testimony to support such a finding, with respect to the child's persistent refusal to testify. Specifies that: (1) the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney shall be present in the room with the child and the child shall be subject to direct and cross-examination; and (2) the only other persons allowed to be present are the child's attorney or guardian ad litem, those persons necessary to operate the closed-circuit equipment, and any other person whose presence is determined by the court to be necessary to the welfare and well-being of the child. Requires that: (1) the child's testimony be transmitted by closed-circuit TV into the courtroom for the defendant, jury, judge, and public view; (2) the defendant be provided with the means of private, contemporaneous communication with his attorney during the testimony; and (3) the closed-circuit TV transmission relay the defendant's image into the room in which the child is testifying, and the child's testimony into the room in which the defendant is viewing the proceeding. Sets forth analogous provisions with respect to videotaped depositions of child victims and child witnesses. Creates a hearsay exception for an out-of-court statement related to alleged completed or attempted crimes of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or exploitation of such child or concerning a crime against another witnessed by the child that is not otherwise admissible if: (1) the child testifies at the proceeding or testifies by means of videotaped deposition or closed-circuit TV and, at the time of such testimony, is subject to cross-examination about the out-of-court statement; or (2) the child is found to be unable to testify for various reasons, such as the child's death or absence from the jurisdiction, persistent refusal to testify, or substantial likelihood that the child would suffer severe emotional trauma from testifying (in the latter case, must be supported by expert testimony). Requires the proponents of the statement to inform the adverse party of the intention to offer the statement and its content sufficiently in advance of the proceeding to provide the defendant with a fair opportunity to prepare a response to the statement before the proceeding at which it is offered. Delineates factors which the court may consider in determining whether a statement possesses particularized guarantees of trustworthiness, including the child's knowledge of the event, the age and maturity of the child, any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event, and whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant's opportunity to commit the act complained of in the child's statement. Requires the court to support with findings on the record any rulings pertaining to the child's inability to testify in open court and the trustworthiness of the out-of-court statement. Authorizes the court to permit the child to use anatomical dolls, puppets, drawings, or any other demonstrative device it deems appropriate to assist a child in testifying. Sets forth requirements with respect to competency examinations for child witnesses. Prohibits: (1) the release to the public of the name, or other identifying information about the child victim or child witness except as authorized by the court; and (2) the name and any identifying information from appearing in any public record. Makes such a violation a misdemeanor. Authorizes the court, when the child testifies, to exclude from the courtroom all persons, including the media, who do not have a direct interest in the case, where the child's testimony under traditional courtroom procedures would cause substantial psychological harm to the child or would result in the child's inability to effectively communicate, subject to specified conditions. Grants the child victim or witness the same right to submit victim impact statements prior to sentencing as prescribed for an adult victim. Directs that child victims or witnesses be assisted by their court appointed guardian ad litem in preparing victim impact statements. Encourages the use of multidisciplinary teams designed to assist child victims or child witnesses. Delineates the role of such teams. Requires the court to appoint a guardian ad litem at the earliest possible stage of all proceedings where a child was a victim of a crime involving abuse or exploitation to protect the best interests of the child. Sets forth guidelines with respect to criteria in choosing, and the duties of, such guardian. Grants a child testifying at or attending a judicial proceeding the right to be accompanied by an adult attendant to provide emotional support to the child, subject to certain restrictions. Authorizes the court, in any proceeding where a child is called to give testimony, to designate the case as being of special public importance and to expedite the action. Requires the court to ensure a speedy trial and, in deciding whether or not to grant a continuance, to take into account the child's age and the potential adverse impact the delay may have on the child's wellbeing. Requires physicians, social workers, psychologists, teachers, film processors, and specified other individuals who, while involved in any such capacities on Federal land or in a federally operated (or contracted) facility, have reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child to immediately report to the appropriate authorities. Grants civil and criminal immunity to individuals who, acting in good faith, make such a report or otherwise provide information or assistance with a report investigation, or legal intervention. Makes failure to report a misdemeanor. Requires: (1) each Federal agency and facility that hires, or contracts for hire, individuals involved with the provision of services to children under age 18 to assure that all existing and newly-hired employees undergo a criminal history background check; and (2) all existing staff to receive such checks within six months and prohibits the hiring of additional staff without a check having been initiated. Sets forth procedures with respect to the conduct of such background checks. Specifies that: (1) any conviction for a sex crime, an offense involving a child victim, or a drug offense shall be grounds for denying employment or for dismissal of an employee engaged in specified child care services; (2) an incident in which an individual has been charged, but where the charge has not yet been disposed of, shall permit the employee's suspension from any job-related contact with children until the case is resolved; and (3) convictions of other crimes may be considered if they bear on an individual's fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children. Sets forth requirements with respect to questions to be asked in employment applications, criminal history records checks, and access to (and the right to challenge the accuracy of) the criminal history report. Encourages voluntary criminal history checks for others who may have contact with children. Specifies that there shall be no statute of limitations for the prosecution of any felony child physical abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitation offense. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act of 1989 - Amends the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984 to require State Governors to maintain records on asbestos in school buildings. Deletes a requirement for the submission of asbestos abatement application materials by State Governors to the Secretary of Education. Requires State Governors, in determining the adequacy of financial resources available to a local educational agency for asbestos abatement, to consider the additional costs to such agency of meeting the needs of disadvantaged students. Removes a reporting requirement concerning actions taken by State Governors in accordance with State plans. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to approve applications for financial assistance no later than April 30 of each year. Prohibits the provision of such assistance to applicants who are not in compliance with title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Requires the proceeds from the repayment of Federal asbestos abatement loans and assistance recovery lawsuits to be deposited into the Asbestos Trust Fund. Removes a condition on the provision of financial assistance which requires the submission of an application within five years of the enactment of the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Prohibits the approval of assistance applications unless the local educational agency certifies that it is implementing an asbestos management plan and all abatement activities will be conducted by trained and accredited individuals in conformance with the Toxic Substances Control Act. Removes certain requirements for the promulgation by the Administrator of standards for asbestos removal contractors and the protection of school employees trained to carry out abatement activities. Requires the Administrator to report annually (until 1999) to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the loan and grant program under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Authorizes appropriations for the asbestos abatement program for FY 1991 through 1995. Revises provisions concerning the allocation of appropriations. Permits up to five percent of appropriations to be reserved each fiscal year for the administration of asbestos abatement activities. Authorizes the Administrator to use up to five percent of such appropriations for grants to States for: (1) assisting local educational agencies in performing periodic reinspections and training activities; and (2) maintaining programs to accredit personnel performing asbestos inspections and response actions. Makes conforming amendments to provisions of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 concerning the Asbestos Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Designates March 11 through March 17, 1990, as Deaf Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow State Medicaid matching payments to include private funds donated by hospitals to the State and State taxes imposed with respect to the provision of Medicaid items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) urge the other member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to agree to pursue policies of growth-oriented assistance to such developing nations as may be deemed likely to show expansion if certain circumstances are created; (2) urge its OECD partners to meet, discuss, and adopt such measures as necessary and practical to achieve such goal; (3) urge the other advanced nations to join the United States in giving new positive signs of accepting importation of Third World products into their economies and to encourage private direct investment in the Third World by their citizens; and (4) condition actions in this resolution on the selected Third World nations promising full cooperation in becoming partners in the program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such cooperation should include "national treatment" for private direct investors, an undertaking to keep any protection of new industries as small and as brief as possible, and an agreement to listen attentively to OECD advice in the selection of new industrial or commercial projects, in the general management of such nation's economy, and in the reassessment of its comparative advantages.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1989
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outpatient medical services to a former prisoner of war for any disability.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1989
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a certain segment of the St. Mary's River in Florida and Georgia for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in recognition of his leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Authorizes the President to designate May 1990 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1989
Agricultural Promotion Programs Act of 1989 - Title I: Soybeans - Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of: (1) a United Soybean Board; (2) State soybean boards; and (3) a Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Cotton - Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Cotton Research and Promotion Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to propose and implement alternative cotton handler orders upon request by a cotton producer or producer organization, subject to producer referenda of approval. Requires each alternative order to establish a Cotton Board to administer the order. Title III: Pecans - Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary to issue orders to pecan growers, handlers, and importers with respect to pecan promotion and research. Requires any such order to establish a Pecan Marketing Board to carry out a coordinated program of research and promotion to strengthen the pecan industry's domestic and foreign market position. Funds such program through assessments: (1) on all pecans produced in, or imported into, the United States; and (2) deducted from the first payment made to a grower for all pecans sold to a first handler. Provides for a pecan producer referendum of program approval. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Mushrooms - Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Directs the Secretary to issue orders to mushroom producers, importers, and first handlers with respect to mushroom promotion, research, and consumer information. Requires such an order to establish a Mushroom Council to administer the orders and support mushroom promotion, research, and consumer information projects. Funds such activities through assessments on producers and importers. Provides for a mushroom producer referenda for approval of such orders. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Limes - Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act - Directs the Secretary to issue orders to lime producers, handlers, and importers with respect to lime promotion, research, and consumer information. Requires such an order to establish a Lime Board to administer such orders. Funds such activities through assessments on producers and importers. Provides for lime producer referenda for approval of such orders. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Potatoes - Potato Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1989- Amends the Potato Research and Promotion Act to extend coverage to all domestic and foreign potatoes. Directs the Secretary to propose and implement an alternative potato research and promotion plan, if requested by a potato producer or producer organization, subject to approval by a producer referendum. Requires such alternative plan to establish a National Potato Promotion Board including importer representatives as well as producer and consumer representatives. Provides for producer and importer assessments. Title VII: Honey - Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act to permit one of the two current Honey Board importer seats to be filled by an exporter. Exempts from honey assessments an importer, producer, or producer-handler who handles less than 6000 pounds of honey annually all of which is used at home, donated, or distributed directly through retail outlets. Provides that: (1) patents, copyrights, inventions, publications, or product formulations developed with Board funds shall belong to the Board; and (2) any funds derived therefrom shall inure to the benefit of the Board. Provides for assessments to be deducted directly from honey price support loans. Title VIII: Vidalia Onions - Prohibits the labeling of any onions as Vidalia onions unless they meet specified standards. Title IX: Prohibition on Duty Drawback - Conditions eligibility for certain agricultural export benefits on the U.S. exporter's certifying that none of such domestic commodity exports shall be used as the basis for import drawbacks (reimbursement) under the Tariff Act of 1930. Requires U.S. vegetable oil or vegetable oil products exporters to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1989
Reverse Mortgage Insurance for Older Americans Act of 1989 - Amends the National Housing Act with regard to the elderly homeowner equity conversion mortgage program to: (1) increase the total number of insured mortgages; (2) set forth various reverse mortgage options; (3) permit the mortgagor to convert payment methods during the term of the mortgage; (4) limit mortgagor liability; and (5) require certain disclosures by the mortgagee regarding mortgagor liability and total mortgage cost.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Declares that no person who is a retired regular officer of the U.S. armed forces, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has served on active duty in Vietnam, and has been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart shall be considered as holding a public office for purposes of provisions that require anyone who destroys public records to forfeit public office and be disqualified from holding office.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Designates the week of November 5 through November 11, 1989, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Condemns Daniel Ortega's announced intention to abrogate the ceasefire in Nicaragua as unjustified and a threat to peace. Urges the Sandinistas to renew their commitment to continuing the ceasefire. Insists that Ortega and the Sandinistas reaffirm their pledge to hold elections on February 25, 1990, and begin to carry out in good faith their commitment to a free and fair electoral process leading up to those elections. Deplores any effort by the Sandinista regime to terminate, postpone, or curtail progress in fulfilling such commitment or to impose emergency laws under the pretext of a breakdown of the ceasefire. Urges the extension of the grace period during which Nicaraguans are permitted to register to vote for at least 60 days. Reaffirms the Congress's intention to abide by the provisions of the Bipartisan Accord on Nicaragua and Public Law 101-14, to include continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to the contras until February 28, 1990. Reminds Ortega, the Sandinistas, and the other leaders of the hemisphere that U.S. policy articulated therein is contingent upon the Sandinistas fulfilling their commitments as part of the Central American peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that conference committee action on the reform of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 shall not exceed the limits set by the legislative language previously agreed upon by the Senate and the House of Representatives or establish benefits and premiums not included by such language.