United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
International Debt Recovery Act - Specifies policy objectives to guide U.S. financial officials pursuing a resolution to the international debt problem. Amends the International Lending Supervision Act of 1983 to provide that in the establishment of capital adequacy levels for banking institutions, the appropriate Federal banking agencies shall require increased capital for such institutions exposed to country debt that has been classified by bank regulatory agencies in certain high risk categories, subject to specified conditions. Provides that the ultimate collectibility of debt shall be presumed, and increased capital shall not be required, in the case of classified countries that are demonstrating clear progress toward financial recovery and restored creditworthiness as indicated by specified factors. Provides that for countries not demonstrating such progress the capital adequacy requirements shall be based on an evaluation of risk encompassing such factors as: (1) interruptions in debt servicing; (2) past and projected economic performance; and (3) secondary market valuation of the country's debt. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to exempt from the prohibition on ownership or control by a bank holding company of voting shares of a nonbanking organization the acquisition of shares in a company which does no business in the United States except as an incident to its international or foreign business if: (1) the shares are acquired as a result of or in connection with a conversion or exchange of restructured obligations, principal, interest, or any other proceeds of any restructured obligations or obligations isssued in exchange for any new money contributions, or any other obligation the repayment of which in nonlocal currency and immediately available funds is prohibited under local law; (2) the bank holding company has received prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board for transactions in excess of the smaller of $50,000,00 or two percent of capital or, for all other transactions, provided prior notice to the Board; and (3) the shares are not held for more than ten years or, if later, five years after the investment may be legally repatriated in its entirety subject to the Board's authority to extend such period for good cause. Requires the Federal bank regulatory agencies to report semiannually to the specified congressional committees concerning steps taken to implement this Act, including specified information concerning the category of debt of various countries and the exposure and capital and reserve position of the 24 largest U.S. banks.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Research and Training Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute on Aging to enter into cooperative agreements with and make grants to public and private nonprofit entities to pay costs of development or expansion of centers of excellence in geriatric research and training. Requires each such center to use the facilities of a single institution or be formed from a consortium. Requires centers to conduct research into the aging processes and into diagnosis and treatment related to aging, advanced training programs, programs to develop individuals capable of conducting research, and educational and training activities for students of the health professions. Requires centers to place primary emphasis on training physicians to train other physicians and students in geriatrics. Requires the Director to conduct an evaluation and report annually to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Home Quality Care Amendments of 1987 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to impose a common set of requirements on Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid intermediate care facilities (nursing facilities). Includes within such set requirements that nursing facilities: (1) maintain clinical records on all residents and assess, upon the resident's admission and periodically thereafter, the resident's mental, physical, and psychosocial needs, utilizing a minimum data set to be established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) provide 24-hour nursing services, employ at least one full-time registered professional nurse (both staffing requirements are currently imposed on skilled nursing facilities), and employ at least one full-time social worker; (3) provide care without requiring certain assurances regarding the source of payment for such services or discriminating against individuals who are eligible for Medicare or Medicaid; (4) protect specified resident rights and notify residents regarding such rights; (5) transfer or discharge a resident without the resident's consent only when such action is essential to the resident's welfare, the health or safety of others would otherwise be endangered, or the resident fails to pay allowable charges, and only after complying with specified procedures; (6) provide the Secretary, the States, service providers, and resident relatives with specified access and visitation rights; (7) maintain a quality assessment and assurance program which is attuned to the comments and complaints of nursing facility staff and residents; (8) require each of their nursing aides to successfully complete a training and testing program that entails competency-based testing before the assumption of direct resident care and at least 100 hours of initial training; and (9) protect a resident's personal funds. Requires, in addition, that Medicare skilled nursing facilities create or revise a written plan of care for each of their residents after making an assessment of a resident's mental, physical, and psychosocial needs. Directs the Secretary to establish a program providing grants to Medicare skilled nursing facilities for facility projects that enhance the quality of care or life of facility residents. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1988 through 1990. Provides for Federal inspection and certification of Medicaid intermediate care facilities. (Currently States survey and certify such facilities.) Requires that intermediate care and skilled nursing survey results be posted in a place accessible to patients. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize the Secretary to make provider performance reports available to the public after giving the provider 30 days (currently, 60 days) to review and comment on such reports, but removes time restrictions on the release of such information to ombudsmen. Amends the Medicare program to make the Secretary responsible for certifying State nursing facilities and States responsible for certifying other nursing facilities. Bases such certification on surveys to be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals upon any change in the ownership of the nursing facility and, on an unannounced basis, at nine- to 15-month intervals. Subjects nursing facilities with poor compliance records to extended surveys. Directs the Secretary to develop and test a protocol for conducting surveys. Requires States to: (1) provide for the investigation of complaints against nursing facilities; (2) use specialized survey teams to survey and carry out enforcement action against chronically substandard nursing facilities; and (3) provide survey teams with specified training in survey and certification techniques. Requires that State long-term care ombudsmen be notified of any adverse action to be taken against a nursing facility. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria and procedures for evaluating a nursing facility's plans for the correction of its violation of Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility standards. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct surveys of no fewer than five percent of the nursing facilities surveyed by each State in a year to test the adequacy of each State's surveys; and (2) prescribe standards for measuring the performance of State survey and certification programs and sanctions against States failing to meet such standards. Requires that survey results and nursing facility cost report information be made available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the States to develop: (1) a range of intermediate sanctions to apply to nursing facilities whose violation of nursing facility standards does not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of their residents; and (2) specific criteria as to when and how intermediate sanctions are to be applied, with incrementally more severe fines being imposed for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies. Requires the Secretary to review, at least once every three months, the effectiveness of intermediate sanctions imposed by States. Authorizes the Secretary and the States to appoint a receiver to establish and oversee the implementation of a plan to bring nursing facilities into compliance with Medicare and Medicaid requirements when they chronically fail to satisfy such requirements or their deficiencies immediately jeopardize residents' health and safety. Directs the Secretary to compile and periodically update a list of items and services covered under each State Medicaid plan and make such list available to Medicaid beneficiaries and providers. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title IX of the Act to require the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to establish a National Commission on Long-Term Care composed of members having expertise in the provision and financing of long-term care. Requires the Commission to advise the Congress regarding: (1) methods of ensuring the quality of care in long-term care facilities and home-care programs; (2) the costs, appropriate staffing, and reimbursement of such facilities and programs; and (3) the access of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to such facilities and programs. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1987
Amends U.S. trade law to provide additional remedies relating to: (1) burden of proof; (2) subpoenas; and (3) agents for service of process with respect to actions for relief from the importation of articles at less than market value or wholesale price.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the period of May 23 through May 30, 1987, is recognized as Hokule'a Week, celebrating the return to Hawaii after a two and one-half year voyage of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's sailing canoe.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1987 - Title I: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which will be implemented by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. Establishes an Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the implementation of such program. Authorizes the Secretaries to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to coordinate such program. Sets forth the functions of the Secretaries with respect to such program, including: (1) establishing matching grants programs for specified nutritional and dietary purposes; and (2) submitting an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Requires the Secretaries to prepare and implement a comprehensive national nutrition monitoring and related research plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Provides that the comprehensive plan shall be carried out during the period ending with the close of the ninth fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the final comprehensive plan is submitted. Requires the Secretaries to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council - Establishes an 11-member Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretaries. Title III: Dietary Guidance -Directs the Secretaries, by the start of 1990 and every five years thereafter, to publish and review dietary guidelines for the general public.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Nuclear Protections and Safety Act of 1987 - Title I: Independent Nuclear Safety Board Oversight Over Department of Energy Facilities - Department of Energy Nuclear Safety Board Oversight Act of 1987 - Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to establish a Department of Energy Nuclear Safety Board to: (1) annually evaluate health and safety standards and Department of Energy Orders at each Department of Energy nuclear facility; (2) recommend necessary changes; (3) investigate events at such facilities which might adversely affect the public health or safety; (4) recommend specific measures to the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to minimize the likelihood of such events; and (5) issue periodic reports for congressional and governmental agencies regarding health and safety issues at Department of Energy nuclear facilities. Requires the Secretary to implement the Board recommendations, with provision for exemptions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to provide assistance as requested by the Independent Nuclear Safety Board. Authorizes the Committee to expand its membership in order to provide such assistance. Directs the Secretary to reimburse the Committee for the costs incurred in providing such assistance. Authorizes the Director of the Naval Propulsion Program to assist and advise the Board from time to time. Title II: Application of OSHA and NIOSH to DOE Nuclear Facilities - Applies the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), with specified exceptions, to: (1) a production or utilization facility under the control or jurisdiction of the Secretary; (2) a facility subject to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 under the control or jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (3) a waste storage facility under the control or jurisdiction of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations to govern application of OSHA to such facilities. Specifies the content of such regulations. Requires the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (and its Director) to perform its statutory functions at such facilities. Directs the Secretary and each contractor operating such facility to cooperate with either the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the conduct of facility inspections or investigations (including granting access and providing information). Title III: Mixed Hazardous Waste - Mixed Hazardous Waste Amendment Act of 1987 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to redefine the term "solid waste" to exclude: (1) source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials (as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954) unless such materials are a part of any mixture or combination, if the other constituent part of such mixture or combination is a solid waste; and (2) wastes at the time they are emplaced at a nuclear waste repository. Title IV: Radiation Study Advisory Board Act of 1987 - Radiation Study Advisory Board Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Radiation Research Review Board to advise and assist the Secretary of Energy in conducting epidemiological studies of radiation effects. Requires the Secretary of Energy to provide the Board with all requests for proposals concerning epidemiological studies of radiation health effects if such studies call for an expenditure (or authorization) of funds greater than $100,000. Requires the Board to review such proposals and make written recommendations if it believes such proposals should be modified or not funded. Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) implement Board recommendations prior to the authorization or expenditure of funds; or (2) inform the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Congress of his intention not to implement such recommendations. Requires the Board to review epidemiological studies annually and to advise the Secretary of Energy as to the scope and direction of future studies. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) insure that all such studies shall be subject to peer review; and (2) promulgate guidelines regarding data dissemination of such studies to researchers who are not associated with the Department of Energy. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide the Board with necessary funds, facilities, and staff.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Requires the United States Trade Representative to initiate an investigation under the Trade Act of 1972 regarding unfair trade barriers of entities owned, controlled, and financed by the Government of Japan against U.S. architectural, engineering, construction, and consulting services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Authorizes the reprinting of the report entitled "Developments in Aging" as a Senate document, including additional copies for the use of the Special Committee on Aging.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Medicare Home Health Services Improvement Act of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit patients to receive Medicare home health services on a daily basis for up to 60 days, and longer when the patient's physician certifies that exceptional circumstances require continued daily services. Provides Medicare coverage of up to three weeks of post-hospital skilled and nonskilled home health care, as long as the cost of such benefits does not exceed the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility for an equivalent period of time. Defines as "homebound" (a prerequisite of eligibility for Medicare home health services) any person who has a condition which restricts his or her ability to leave the home without support or for whom leaving the home is medically contraindicated. Provides Medicare home health coverage for homebound individuals in need of occupational therapy. (Currently, occupational therapy is included only after an individual qualifies for home health services by reason of needing skilled nursing care or speech or physical therapy.) Requires Medicare fiscal intermediaries which perform home health payment services to provide an explanation of claim denials for home health services and promptly notify the parties requesting a reconsideration of such determinations of the results of such reconsideration. Requires fiscal intermediaries to make partial payments of disputed claims when such notice has not been transmitted within 60 days of receipt of the reconsideration request. Makes an intermediary's performance on appeals of home health care payment determinations part of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' overall appraisal of the intermediary. Requires a Medicare home health agency to: (1) protect and promote the rights of each individual under its care; (2) furnish the State licensing entity with the name and social security number of any individual hired by the agency as well as information as to whether such individual has been convicted of a felony; (3) inform the State licensing entity of changes in agency ownership or control; (4) furnish items and services through licensed health professionals or persons who have completed or are enrolled in a training program which meets minimum standards established by the Secretary by July 1988; and (5) include the patient's plan of care within its clinical records. Requires an appropriate State or local agency to conduct a standard survey every nine to 15 months and upon a change in the ownership of, or significant number of complaints against, a home health agency, of the quality of patient care provided by such agencies. Subjects home health agencies which perform poorly on such surveys to an extended survey. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the assessment process, report to the Congress on the results of such evaluation, and make appropriate modifications to such process by 1992. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement criteria and procedures for evaluating plans of correction submitted by home health agencies found out of compliance with Medicare participation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to impose intermediate sanctions on agencies whose failure to correct deficiencies pursuant to approved plans of correction does not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of health care beneficiaries. Requires the Secretary to promulgate major Medicare rules, requirements, or policy statements through the regulatory process. Sets forth publication requirements. Directs the Secretary to publish and make available to the public without charge a directory of home health agencies certified to participate in the Medicare program, including certain information gathered with respect to each agency during the latest certification survey. Requires appropriate State or local agencies to maintain: (1) toll-free hotlines to receive complaints and answer questions regarding home health agencies in the State or locality; and (2) units with enforcement authority and access to consumer medical records and survey reports to investigate such complaints. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the Congress before 1988 on the appropriateness of reimbursing home health agencies on either a rural or urban basis rather than considering an agencies mix of urban and rural clientele; and (2) determine home health agency cost limits on the basis of recent agency cost reports.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1987
National Center for the United States Constitution Establishment Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Center for the United States Constitution within or close to the Independence National Historical Park, Pennsylvania. Requires the Center to service as an information, education, exhibition, and intellectual center on the Constitution. Authorizes the acquisition of land and a structure. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit organization to operate the Center. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1987
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to waive certain time limitations governing eligibility for trade adjustment assistance with respect to workers who became totally or partially separated from adversely affected employment between August 13, 1981, and April 7, 1986. Provides that such workers who are otherwise eligible for a trade readjustment allowance may receive payments only if they: (1) are enrolled in a training program approved by the Secretary of Labor; (2) have completed a training program approved by the Secretary; or (3) have received a written statement certifying that the Secretary finds that it is not feasible to approve a training program for them. Prohibits the payment of trade readjustment allowances to a worker if the Secretary of Labor determines that he has: (1) failed to begin or to complete the training program in which he enrolled; and (2) there is no justifiable cause for such failure. Requires the Secretary, if he finds it is not feasible to approve a training program for a worker, to submit to the worker a written statement certifying such finding. Requires the Secretary to provide written notice by mail of the trade adjustment assistance benefits available to each worker whom he has reason to believe is covered by a certification of eligibility for such assistance: (1) at the time the certification is made, if the worker is partially or totally separated from the adversely affected employment before such certification; or (2) at the time of separation of the worker. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of the benefits available to workers covered by each certification in newspapers of general circulation in the areas where such workers reside. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of the benefits made available under this Act in newspapers of general circulation in areas where workers who are likely beneficiaries reside.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1987
Appropriates additional amounts for FY 1987 for the National Institute on Aging which shall be available for Alzheimer's disease centers and clinical trials testing drugs for use in arresting the progression of, and treating, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Act of 1987 - Amends the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA) to revise chapter 2 (Federal Programs for the Improvement of Elementary and Secondary Education) with respect to block grants to States. Revises the statement of purpose under chapter 2. Declares the policy of the Congress that financial assistance under chapter 2 to State and local educational agencies shall be made for innovative programs or programs which expand services and activities, but not merely to provide for the continuing maintenance of services and activities previously financed under chapter 2. Prohibits any chapter 2 allotment to a State from being used after September 30, 1990, for the maintenance of services and activities previously assisted under chapter 2 for a period of three continuous years. Authorizes waivers of such prohibition under specified conditions. Extends the authorization of appropriations for chapter 2 through FY 1993. Revises provisions for the use of funds for basic skills instruction. Revises the statements of purpose relating to educational improvement and support services and to special projects.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Administrative Law Judge Corps Act - Amends Federal law to establish, in Washington, D.C., an Administrative Law Judge Corps (the Corps) comprised of all current administrative law judges. States that the chief administrative law judge shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the chief judge to submit a written report to the President and the Congress at the end of each fiscal year concerning the business of the Corps during the preceding fiscal year. Establishes between four and ten divisions within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed initially by the President, with the consent of the Senate. Identifies initial divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. Specifies qualifications required for division chief judges. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps (the Council) comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to: (1) assign judges to divisions and to transfer or reassign judges from one division to another; (2) create or abolish divisions of the corps; (3) appoint persons as administrative law judges and members of the Corps; (4) file charges against an administrative law judge; (5) prescribe certain rules of practice and procedure for proceedings before the Corps; (6) issue rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the Corps; and (7) perform other administrative functions. Establishes a Judicial Nomination Commission (the Commission) to submit a list of qualified nominees for positions of chief judge and division chief judges. Specifies officials who shall appoint a member to the Commission. Sets the terms of initial Corps appointments and the procedure for filling vacancies. Prescribes a procedure for recommending appointments to the President. Directs the Council to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Directs the Council to issue regulations for assigning such cases. Requires guidelines for the removal and discipline of administrative law judges. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Details the membership of such Board and the procedures to be followed. Declares Board proceedings and the contents of complaints to be privileged and confidential. Exempts documents and reports considered by the Board from the disclosure and publication requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts the Board from compliance with the public meeting requirements of specified Federal law. Directs the Corps' chief administrative law judge to study the various types of agency review to which decisions of administrative law judges are subject. Sets guidelines for such studies and directs the Council to report the findings of such studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Advocacy Improvement Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require States to establish an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Office) encompassing any area or local ombudsman entity designated by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman as a subdivision of the Office. Directs States to establish Statewide toll-free hotlines to facilitate the communication of complaints to ombudsmen. Requires States to provide assurances that Office staff are not subject to conflicts of interest and that mechanisms are in place to identify and remedy such conflicts. Immunizes Office representatives from liability under State law for the good faith performance of official duties. Directs States to provide legal counsel to: (1) the Office for advice and consultation; and (2) Office representatives sued in connection with the performance of official duties. Requires States to provide appropriate sanctions against: (1) those willfully interfering with Office representatives in the performance of official duties; and (2) extended care facilities which retaliate against residents or employees who file a complaint with, or provide information to, the Office. Requires State licensure and certification agencies to provide the Office with inspection reports, notices of deficiencies, and sanctions issued with respect to extended care facilities as well as other data relevant to the Office's investigations of such facilities. Directs the Office to submit annual reports to State licensure and certification agencies, State agencies on aging, and the State legislature and Governor analyzing and suggesting resolutions to problems experienced by, and complaints received against, extended care facilities. Requires the Office to conduct annual on-site visits of extended care facilities to inform residents and personnel of program services and make such services available. Requires that Office staff who do investigative work be trained in Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies regarding State extended care facilities as well as investigative techniques. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) provide technical assistance and training to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs and Ombudsman representatives; and (2) establish a national clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information regarding, and transferring technology among, such programs. Authorizes appropriations from FY 1988 through 1992 for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require that extended care facilities provide ombudsmen with access to facility residents and, with the patient's or guardian's consent, to the patient's medical and social records. Requires that ombudsmen be given access to individuals who are admitted to hospitals from skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities. Directs the Secretary to promptly notify the appropriate Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman of any Medicare or Medicaid sanction imposed on a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility. Requires the Commissioner on Aging to issue a report by January 15th of each year analyzing and suggesting resolutions to problems experienced by, and complaints received against, extended care facilities. Specifies the congressional committees, Federal agencies, and private organizations which are to receive such reports. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Commissioner on Aging to designate a full-time staff of the Administration on Aging within 90 days of enactment of this Act. Requires the Commissioner to conduct studies and issue findings regarding: (1) the practices and impact of the Ombudsman program; (2) Ombudsman programs which are investigating home care service complaints; and (3) the feasibility of extending the Ombudsman program to physician and hospital services received by older individuals. Directs the Commissioner to make grants to States for FY 1988 and 1989 to demonstrate and evaluate: (1) the provision of ombudsman services to home care clients; and (2) cooperative projects between the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the State protection and advocacy program for developmental disabilities and mental illness. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Social Security Act to require peer review organizations to make available to Ombudsman program personnel their data showing the substantial failure of a provider to meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Family Care Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for qualified expenses incurred in the care of an individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 75 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type); and (3) has an annual family income of $15,000 or less. Allows an income tax credit of 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $10,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $10,000. Imposes a $3,500 limit on allowable expenses per taxable year for the care of any one qualifying individual, with a $7,000 annual maximum of total elderly care expenses subject to the credit. Includes as qualifying elderly care expenses payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies. Prohibits the application of any other tax credit or tax deduction provisions to amounts subject to a credit under this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, over a five-year period, annual reports concerning the utilization and the fiscal effects of such credit and to submit each report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Home Care Protection Act of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that nursing care and home health aid services may be provided on a daily basis as home health services for up to 60 days with monthly physician certification of the need for such services, and after the 60-day period on a physician certification of exceptional circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the corporate, legal, labor, and academic communities should pursue establishment of an organization to provide pro bono legal assistance to small businesses in cases involving foreign unfair trade practices. Urges such organization to: (1) develop an outreach program to inform businesses of remedies available under U.S. trade laws; and (2) provide pro bono legal assistance to those businesses lacking resources to seek such remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, to take such actions as are necessary to protect cave resources on Federal lands, including: (1) restricting the use of such resources; (2) entering into volunteer management agreements with the caving community; and (3) appointing advisory committees. Restricts the release of information concerning cave location to protect the resource, requiring the Governor of a State in which a cave resource is located or a bona fide research institution to request location information in writing along with a commitment to protect the confidentiality of such information. Establishes a permit program for the collection or removal of natural resources from caves on Federal lands. Requires a permittee to post a bond or cash deposit to offset potential damage. Revokes permits for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Excludes Federal cave resources within the National Park or Wildlife Refuge Systems from this program. Imposes criminal penalties for the alteration of a cave or interference with cave resources, including the sale or exchange of cave resources removed without permission. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Places permit fees and fines in a special fund in the Treasury for cave resource management.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Encourages State and local governments and local educational agencies to provide quality daily physical education programs for all children from kindergarten through grade 12.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Inspector General Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to include the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Railroad Retirement Board under such Act. Provides for uniform salaries for inspectors general at level IV of the Executive Schedule. Establishes an Office of Inspector General in the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Office of Personnel Management. Transfers existing functions. Sets forth provisions concerning the authorities and responsibilities of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's existing Office of Investigations. Declares that the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall have general oversight responsibility for internal investigations performed by specified agencies of the Department. Authorizes the Inspector General to investigate any Treasury officer or employee if: (1) the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of the Treasury directs such an investigation; (2) the investigation concerns senior personnel; or (3) the investigation involves alleged notorious conduct or any other sensitive matter of the Department. Restricts each Federal agency without a statutorily established inspector general to one internal audit unit. Requires the audit unit director to be appointed by, report to, and be under the general supervision of the head of each Federal entity governed by this Act. Requires the head of any Federal entity who removes an audit unit director from office to communicate the reasons for such removal to the Congress. Declares the Chief Postal Inspector of the United States Postal Service to be the internal audit unit director of the U.S. Postal Service and shall be appointed by, report to, and be under the general supervision of the Postmaster General. Declares that the Chief Postal Inspector may be removed or transferred from office if the Postmaster issues a written order to such effect and such order is ratified by two-thirds of the Governors of the Postal Service. Requires that the Congress be notified of the reasons for such removal or transfer. Expands the scope of information to be included in semiannual reports of each Inspector General. Requires semiannual reports listing audits that were not resolved within one year after the date on which an audit determination was made. Authorizes Inspectors General to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit when necessary. Requires the President to include in the budget submission a separate appropriation account for appropriations for each Office of Inspector General.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Amends the National School Lunch Act and the Food Security Act of 1985, respectively, to extend the alternative school lunch cash or commodity credit assistance program through the school year ending June 30, 1992. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend the national donated commodity processing program through June 30, 1992. Makes conforming amendments to the Child Nutrition Amendments of 1986 and the School Lunch and Child Nutrition Amendments of 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Extends for six months, from May 15, 1987, to November 15, 1987, the authority of a bankruptcy trustee to pay benefits to retired employees under a plan, fund, or program maintained or established by the debtor (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for the purpose of providing medical, surgical, or hospital care benefits or benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, or death.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Recognizes the Disabled American Veterans Vietnam Veterans National Memorial near Eagle Nest, New Mexico, as a memorial of national significance. Requests the President to issue a proclamation commemorating the occasion of this recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Older Americans Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992 for the Federal Council on the Aging. Authorizes the Commissioner on Aging to request the technical assistance and cooperation of other agencies and units of the Department of Health and Human Services in administering programs providing grants for State and community programs on aging. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992 for State and community programs on aging which include programs providing nutrition services, supportive services, surplus commodities, or cash payments in lieu of food commodities, to older individuals. Authorizes States to transfer up to 30 percent of their grant amounts for programs on aging between support service and nutrition programs. Adds the National Association of State Units on Aging to the list of organizations with whom the Commissioner is to consult when developing quality and efficiency criteria for State home-delivered meal programs for the aged. Directs the Commissioner to provide funding for research activities which will yield information, within three years of this Act's enactment, concerning the aged and their needs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991 for: (1) research and discretionary programs concerning the aged and the training of personnel working on behalf of the aged; (2) the older American community service employment program; (3) grants to Indian tribes for the provision of supportive and nutritional services to older Indians; and (4) the older Americans personal health education and training program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Pipeline Safety Act of 1987 - Amends the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to promulgate regulations establishing Federal hazardous liquid pipeline safety standards, including requirements for release detection, prevention, and correction, for the transportation of hazardous liquids and for pipeline facilities. Sets forth the factors which the Secretary may consider when promulgating such regulations. Permits the States to adopt standards or requirements that are more stringent than Federal standards or requirements. Directs the Secretary to provide that the Federal safety regulations include the requirement that: (1) any pipeline facilities operator participate in any public safety program or "one-call system"; and (2) any persons engaged in demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction near or affecting any pipeline facility shall contact the appropriate public safety program or "one-call system" prior to such activities in order to ascertain the location of underground pipeline facilities. Sets forth notification requirements for pipeline facility operators regarding such facility's location, and prescribes requirements regarding: (1) release detection; (2) shut-off valves; (3) operating pressure; (4) design requirements; (5) pipeline inventory; and (6) financial responsibility. Makes the Federal standards and requirements applicable to both interstate and intrastate pipelines. (Currently such requirements apply only to interstate facilities.) Increases from $1,000 to $25,000 the civil penalty imposed for violations of this Act. Increases from $25,000 to $250,000 the criminal penalty imposed for violations of this Act. Establishes a criminal fine and prison term for the willful defacement, damage, or removal of a federally required pipeline sign or right-of-way marker. Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to include within its coverage pipelines and pipeline facilities whether or not the liquids in such facilities have been included under such Act's coverage. Directs the Secretary to establish a training and certification program for personnel retained by the States to inspect and audit pipeline facilities, and for persons engaged in construction and design of such facilities. Authorizes the commencement of citizens' civil action suits against the Secretary for failure to perform a duty under this Act. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to increase from $3,000,000 to $40,000,000 the fees assessed against hazardous liquids transported by pipelines. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Clean Coal Technology Deployment Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a Clean Coal Technology Assistance Program; and (2) provide financial assistance to commercial-sized projects using innovative clean coal technologies which require such assistance in order to encourage their commercial deployment. Outlines the criteria for such assistance. Mandates that such assistance be in the form of grants-in-aid. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year in the ten-fiscal-year period which begins after the date of enactment of this Act. Presents guidelines under which clean coal technologies are subject to regulatory treatment. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consult and coordinate designated clean coal technologies with State authorities. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations implementing this Act within six months after its date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Nuclear Waste Transportation Prohibition Through Urbanized Areas Act of 1987 - Prohibits the transportation of high level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel by or for the Department of Energy to any temporary or permanent storage facility operated by or for such Department through an area designated as an urbanized area if the affected local government can identify a safer route.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Declares that the Senate: (1) calls for the immediate release of all the children detained under state of emergency regulations in South Africa; and (2) pending the release of the children, calls on South Africa to permit parental access to the children, make public their names and their location, provide them with adequate food, clothing, and protection, and permit an international organization to verify the above and make sure that such children are not abused or tortured.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business once every four years to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the preceding Conferences. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such Conferences. Requires a final report of each Conference, within six months from the date a Conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Recognizes the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the International Association of Fire Fighters National Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1987
Urgent Relief for the Homeless Act - Title I: Interagency Council on the Homeless Act - Interagency Council on the Homeless Act - Establishes the Interagency Council on the Homeless as the successor to the Department of Health and Human Services' Federal Task Force on the Homeless. Transfers all Task Force functions to the Council and terminates the Task Force. Sets forth Council functions, including: (1) Federal homeless program review; (2) governmental and private programs evaluation; (3) information distribution; and (4) provision of professional and technical assistance. Requires each Federal agency to report annually (the first report due within 90 days of enactment of this Act) to the Congress and the Council regarding its programs for the homeless, any impediments including statutory or regulatory restrictions affecting such programs, and efforts made to increase food, shelter, and support opportunities for the homeless. Requires the Council to report annually to the President and to the Congress regarding: (1) the nature and extent of the homeless problem; (2) Council activities in cooperation with governmental and private entities; (3) Federal programs for the homeless, and an assessment of necessary levels of Federal assistance; and (4) appropriate recommendations. Authorizes FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations. Title II: Clarification of Use of Excess Property Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 - Excess Property Identification Act of 1987 - Requires: (1) each Federal agency to identify excess property under its control that would be suitable for use as a shelter or to provide services to the homeless; and (2) the Administrator of General Services to report to the Council on the availability of such property. Title III: Shelter Program - Part A: General Provisions - Emergency Food and Shelter Act of 1987 - Establishes the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board, to be constituted by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Directs FEMA to act as Federal liaison and provide support services to the Board. States that each Board-designated locality shall constitute a local board for purposes of determining fund distributions. Sets forth local board responsibilities, including: (1) coordination with other governmental assistance programs; (2) selection of grant recipients; and (3) program monitoring. Sets forth Board recordkeeping and audit provisions, including authority for access by the Comptroller General of the United States. Requires the Board to report annually to the Congress. Part B: Emergency Food and Shelter Grants - Requires the Director of FEMA, within 30 days of enactment of a law providing appropriations to carry out this part, to provide funds to the Board for grants to private nonprofit organizations and units of local government to: (1) provide shelter, food, and support services to the homeless, with attention given to homeless persons with mental and physical disabilities; (2) strengthen efforts to create more effective and innovative local programs; and (3) conduct limited rehabilitation of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities. Limits Board funding to only those programs carried out by nonprofit organizations and units of local government which are consistent with the purposes of this title. Prohibits the Board from carrying out programs directly. Limits administrative costs to not more than five percent of total appropriations. Requires the Board to establish written guidelines, including: (1) methods for identifying needy localities, and determining allocations; (2) eligible program costs; and (3) guidelines specifying the responsibilities and reporting requirements of the Board, its recipients and service providers. Authorizes FY 1987 appropriations, including any amount provided under Public Law 100-6 (additional funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Part C: Case Management - Requires the Director of FEMA, within 30 days of enactment of a law providing appropriations to carry out this part, to provide grants to the Board to be given to recipient private nonprofit organizations and units of local government under part B of this Act to provide the homeless in shelters with case management services. Requires recipients to provide or arrange for such services. Sets forth required services. States that, if feasible in certain areas, the government or private entity operating a homeless shelter shall give preference to specified Community Services Block Grant programs in arranging for the provision of case management services. Authorizes FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations. Title IV: Housing Assistance - Requires a State or urban area to submit a comprehensive homeless assistance plan for approval to the Interagency Council on the Homeless in order to receive housing assistance under this Act. Sets forth required contents of such plan, including a description of the local homeless population and the existing services available to them. Requires the Council to review and approve a plan within 30 days unless such plan fails to meet the requirements of this Act. Requires: (1) annual performance monitoring reports to the Council; and (2) the Council to carry out performance evaluations beginning with FY 1990. Authorizes additional FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations for: (1) the transitional housing program; and (2) the emergency shelter grant program. Increases the minimum allocation amounts for the emergency shelter grants program. Exempts such additional emergency shelter assistance from a specified planning requirement. Increases available budget authority for five-year contract section 8 existing housing certificates for the homeless, especially the elderly and homeless families with children. Permits such certificates to be attached to a housing unit owned by a nonprofit organization which has agreed to provide shelter and services to the homeless. Increases available budget authority for ten-year contract section 8 single room occupancy dwellings for the homeless. Requires the installation of sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and other fire and safety improvements. Limits rehabilitation costs to $14,000 per unit, unless local conditions such as contruction or acquisition costs or fire or building codes require increases. Title V: Health Services and Mental Health Services for the Homeless - Health Services and Mental Health Services for the Homeless Act - Part A: Health Services - Amends title III (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) of the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for: (1) health services for homeless individuals; and (2) mental health services for homeless individuals who do not have a chronic mental illness. Specifies services such entities are required to provide and other requirements in order to be eligible for grants. Requires the Secretary to give preference to entities which have experience in providing comprehensive primary health care services to homeless individuals and medically underserved populations. Provides that such required services shall be provided to any homeless individual without regard to ability to pay. Specifies requirements for any fees charged by grant recipients. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations. Part B: Mental Health Services - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to authorize FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations. Prohibits the Secretary from using more than one percent of the amount appropriated for administration. Provides a formula for allotment of funds to States, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. territories and possessions. Specifies how such allotments shall be used for emergency projects for homeless individuals who have chronic mental illnesses. Includes in such uses: (1) services to individuals who are homeless or who have chronic mental illness and are at risk of becoming homeless; and (2) certain training of individuals to enable them to provide services to homeless individuals. Prohibits certain uses of such allotments, including inpatient services, cash payments to recipients, and, subject to waiver by the Secretary, capital expenditures. Prohibits more than five percent of the amount paid to a State from being used for administrative costs. Sets forth application provisions. Makes applicable to allotments under the Act provisions of existing law relating to adjustments of allotments under certain circumstances, reports and audits, withholding of funds for cause, discrimination, and criminal penalties for false statements. Title VI: Assuring the Education of Homeless Children - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to require each State educational agency to adopt and implement a plan to ensure each homeless child of full and equal opportunities. Prohibits the application of State or local residency requirements so as to bar any homeless child from attending school. Sets forth requirements regarding selection of the school in which such child will be enrolled, transportation to the school selected, maintenance of the child's records, and participation in educational programs and services. Requires the Secretary to make grants to State and local educational agencies for exemplary programs for homeless students. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements. Requires the Secretary to disseminate information on such exemplary programs to other State and local educational agencies. Authorizes FY 1987 and 1988 appropriations. Title VII: Job Training for the Homeless Demonstration Project - Requires the Secretary of Labor to make grants for the Federal share of job training demonstration projects for homeless individuals. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts to carry out this title. Restricts eligibility for such grants to applicants located in a State which has submitted a comprehensive plan as provided for in this Act. Specifies elements required to be included in grant applications. Sets forth the purposes for which such grants may be used. Sets the Federal share of the cost of demonstration projects at 50 percent for each fiscal year. Allows the non-Federal share to be in cash or in kind. Limits the amount of grants to any State in each fiscal year to 15 percent of the total amount appropriated for this title. Requires the Secretary to annually evaluate each demonstration project and submit a report to the Interagency Council on the Homeless. Requires the Secretary to submit a final report to the President, the Congress, and the Interagency Council. Requires the Interagency Council to: (1) prepare and publish a report evaluating each project receiving assistance under this title; (2) make a determination of the relative effectiveness of such projects; and (3) make recommendations, including recommendations for legislation, to the Congress on job training programs for homeless individuals to be established on a national basis. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Terminates such program on October 1, 1990. Title VIII: Nutrition - Nutrition for Homeless Individuals Act of 1987 - Part A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to define "homeless individual" for purposes of such Act as defined in the Urgent Relief for the Homeless Act. Authorizes food stamp outreach for the homeless. Requires States to provide food stamps within five days of application to: (1) the homeless; and (2) persons whose combined gross income and liquid resources are less than their monthly rent and utilities. Part B: Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide for an increased variety of commodities for distribution under the temporary emergency food assistance program (TEFAP). Increases FY 1987 TEFAP authorizations. Authorizes FY 1988 program appropriations. States that any FY 1987 or 1988 appropriations in excess of such authorizations shall be used for the homeless. Part C: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act, with stated exceptions, effective not later than 160 days after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a duty on certain non-alloyed iron and steel pipes and tubes. Increases the duty on certain other steel pipes. Increases the duty on certain alloyed iron and steel pipes and tubes. Increases the duty on certain finished steel conduits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
WIC Food for Life Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) should receive increasing appropriations until all eligible persons are being served; and (2) an outreach program should be conducted to identify persons eligible for WIC assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to deny the use of funds provided under such Act for projects using products or services of foreign countries which are listed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as not offering reciprocal opportunities for American firms. Requires the USTR to: (1) determine whether each foreign country denies fair and equitable market opportunities for U.S. products and suppliers in procurement, or fair and equitable market opportunities for United States bidders, for construction projects that cost more than $500,000 and are funded by the government of such foreign country; and (2) maintain and publish annually a list of countries for which an affirmative determination is made. Allows an exception to such a denial of funds if the Secretary of Transportation determines: (1) the denial of funds would not be in the public interest; (2) products of the same class or kind are not produced or offered in the United States or in any foreign country not listed by the USTR in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) exclusion of such product or service from the project would increase the cost of the overall project contract by more than 20 percent.
![Official portrait of Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000456_200.jpg)