United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Howard University Endowment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish an endowment program for Howard University. Authorizes the Secretary, from funds available in any fiscal year for the University, to make grants into the endowment fund established under this Act at the University. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the University, including provisions necessary to assure that the purposes of this Act will be achieved. Requires the University, in order to receive such a grant, to: (1) deposit in the endowment fund an amount equal to such grant; and (2) administer the endowment fund in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Prohibits the source of funds for such institutional match from including Federal funds or funds derived from an existing endowment fund. Limits the period of any such grant to 20 years. Prohibits the University from withdrawing or expending any of its endowment fund corpus during such grant period. Allows the University, upon expiration of such period, to use the endowment fund corpus plus any endowment fund income for any educational purpose. Sets forth requirements for investments of the endowment fund corpus and endowment fund income. Sets forth provisions relating to authorized withdrawals and expenditures of endowment fund income. Sets forth provisions for enforcement of requirements under this Act. Makes conforming amendments to specified Federal law relating to Howard University.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Library Services and Construction Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Library Services and Construction Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for: (1) library services; (2) public library construction; (3) interlibrary cooperation; (4) library services for Indian tribes; (5) foreign language materials acquisition; and (6) library literacy programs. Requires a specified percentage of such funds to be made available to Indian tribes. Allows grants to States for library services to be used for assisting libraries: (1) to serve as community information or referral centers; and (2) to provide literacy programs for adults and school dropouts in cooperation with other agencies and organizations. Sets forth additional requirements for a State's annual program for library services. Restricts the Federal share of the cost of public library construction to one-third of the total cost of each project. Requires that a specified portion of such funds be returned to the Federal government if within 20 years after completion a library constructed with Federal funds is no longer used for library purposes. Sets forth resource sharing requirements for State basic and long-range library programs. Deletes provisions for grants to States for older readers services, but revises required plan priorities to include programs and projects that serve the elderly. Requires the Secretary of Education to make grants to Indian tribes that have submitted an approved application for library services for Indians living on or near reservations. Provides that funds made available by such grants may be used for: (1) training of Indians as library personnel; (2) purchase of library materials; (3) special library programs for Indians; (4) salaries of library personnel; (5) construction, purchase, renovation, or remodeling of library buildings and facilities; (6) transportation to enable Indians to have access to library services; (7) dissemination of information about library services; (8) assessment of tribal library needs; and (9) contracts to provide library services. Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act to direct the Librarian of Congress to permit the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to access the Subject Content Oriental Retriever for Processing Information On-Line (SCORPIO).
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business, not earlier than January 1, 1985, and not later than September 1, 1986, 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 Conference. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such conference. Requires a final report of the Conference, within six months from the date such 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 · 22 March 1984
Bankruptcy Reform and Collective Bargaining Preservation Act of 1984 - Amends the Bankruptcy Code to permit a trustee to reject or assume a collective bargaining agreement made under the authority of title II of the Railway Labor Act or the National Labor Relations Act only if and after the court approves such rejection or assumption. Requires notice to all parties and a hearing before the court may approve such a rejection. Requires the trustee to meet and confer in good faith with the authorized representative of the employees who are subject to such agreement and to provide such representative with the relevant financial and other information. Sets forth the circumstances under which the trustee may file a motion for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement. Prohibits the court from approving the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement unless: (1) the trustee has complied with the specified requirements; and (2) absent rejection of such agreement, the jobs covered by such agreement will be lost and any financial reorganization of the debtor will fail.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Federal Public Safety Officers' Supplemental Death Benefits Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to pay a benefit of $50,000 to the survivors of any Federal law enforcement officer or firefighter who has died as the direct result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. Authorizes the Secretary to make an interim payment not to exceed $3,000 to a survivor who, in the Secretary's determination, probably will receive such a benefit. Declares that no such benefit shall be subject to execution or attachment. Prohibits payment of such benefit: (1) if death was caused by the intentional misconduct, suicide, or intoxication of the officer or firefighter; and (2) to any beneficiary whose actions contributed to the death of the officer or firefighter.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the United Nations to request the Secretary General to seek the cooperation of Vietnam with the United States and specified other countries in ascertaining the whereabouts of the crewmen of the sunken U.S. vessel Glomar Java Sea.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1984
Omnibus Health Services and Health Services Research Programs Act of 1984 - Title I: Categorical Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations for: (1) health services research; and (2) health statistics. Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services (to be located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health) the Center for Medical Technology Assessment. Directs such Center to assess health care technologies, including whether specific medical technologies should be reimbursable under Federal health programs. Subjects grants or contracts in excess of $50,000 to scientific peer review. Establishes the National Council on Medical Technology Assessment to serve as an advisory body and to review grant and contract applications. Obligates funds appropriated under this Act for such Council for FY 1985 through 1987. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations for: (1) childhood immunization; (2) tuberculosis prevention; (3) venereal disease prevention; (4) acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and information dissemination; (5) migrant health; and (6) community health centers. Directs the Secretary, through the Centers for Disease Control, to establish a six-month supply of childhood disease vaccines. Repeals part C (Primary Care Block Grants) of title X of such Act. Title II: Health Maintenance Organizations - Repeals requirements regarding: (1) health systems agency review; (2) periodic compliance demonstration; (3) funding source limitations; and (4) specified reports. Makes the existing quarterly State law digest update an annual update. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations. Title IV: Family Planning - Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations for: (1) family planning services; (2) training; and (3) information services. Title V: Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Block Grant - Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services. Requires State mental health authorities to develop arrangements to protect the interests of employees adversely affected by mental health services delivery changes. Provides that for FY 1986 and 1987 mental health grants shall be distributed as basic grants and population-based incentive grants. Authorizes FY 1985 appropriations for incentive grant application assistance. Requires a State to develop and submit a comprehensive mental health services delivery plan in order to be eligible for such incentive grants. Sets forth minimum plan requirements. Requires each State to establish a mental health services Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to assign to each major procurement center a breakout procurement center representative who shall: (1) review procurement method codes with the goal of encouraging increased competition among small business; (2) review procurement requirements which limit the opportunity for small businesses to compete as prime contractors; (3) review and conduct a value analysis of engineering change proposals to determine if such proposal will result in lower costs to the Government; and (4) review the systems that account for the access to and ownership of manufacturing data. Directs the Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of each agency to assign technical advisors to assist each breakout procurement center representative. Sets forth the method for determining either an increase in the rate of basic pay or a payment of a cash award to a breakout procurement representative whenever it is determined that such representative has achieved a significant savings for the Government. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and of the Senate regarding breakout procurement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to assist in supporting the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to: (1) prevent incidents of family violence; and (2) provide shelter and related assistance for victims and dependents of victims of family violence. Sets forth requirements for grant applications. Limits to five percent of such grant funds the amount which may be used for State administrative costs. Requires that at least 70 percent of such funds be distributed to nonprofit private organizations (including religious and charitable organizations and voluntary associations). Requires that the remainder be distributed to local public agencies. Requires the State, in distributing such funds, to give special emphasis to the support of community-based projects of demonstrated effectiveness, particularly those with the primary purpose of operating shelters for victims and dependents and those which provide counseling, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and self-help services to abusers and victims. Prohibits projects receiving grant funds from: (1) requiring a minimum length of stay for shelter residents; or (2) censoring mail or telephone calls of shelter residents, or interfering in any way with reconciliation efforts, unless requested to do so by the resident. Requires States receiving grants to certify, within one year after receipt of such funds, to the Secretary that the State has a procedure for the eviction of an abusing spouse from a shared residence. Permits grant funds to be used to provide shelter and related assistance to victims of violence by individuals with whom they reside, provided that victims of family violence are first served. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to Indian tribes and intertribal organizations for such projects for the prevention of family violence and for shelters and related assistance for victims and dependents. Sets forth limits on the amount of such grants to single entities other than States. Prohibits direct payments to victims or dependents. Prohibits imposition of income eligibility standards. Requires local grant recipients to provide local shares of grant funds. Requires that at least 75 percent of grant funds be distributed to entities to provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims and dependents. Sets forth formulas for allotment of such grant funds to States and to specified U.S. territories and possessions. Sets forth provisions for administration of programs under this title. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain records on programs under this title and coordinate all Federal programs relating to family violence; (2) support research on the provision of shelter and related assistance to victims and dependents; and (3) establish a national information and resource clearinghouse on family violence to be coordinated with the information clearinghouse maintained by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities to provide technical assistance, training, and outreach services. Directs the Secretary to review, evaluate, and report to the Congress on the effectiveness of the program (particularly in relation to repeated incidents of family violence) under this title, within two years after funds are first obligated for program grants. Sets forth prohibitions against discrimination in programs funded under this title. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 to carry out this title. Requires that: (1) 90 percent of such appropriations be used for grants to States, with between one-half and one percent of those appropriations to be available for grants to Indian tribes and intertribal organizations; and (2) ten percent of such appropriations be used by the Secretary to carry out this title. Directs the Secretary to establish an office to be known as the National Center on Elder Abuse. Directs the Secretary, through the Center, to do the following with respect to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation: (1) compile, publish, and disseminate a summary annually of recently conducted research; (2) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on all programs showing promise of success in prevention, identification, and treatment; (3) compile, publish, and disseminate personnel training materials; (4) provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations in planning, improving, developing, and carrying out related programs and activities; (5) conduct research into causes, prevention, treatment, and identification; and (6) make a complete study and investigation (in consultation with the National Institute on Aging) of the national incidence, including a determination of the extent to which incidents are increasing in number or severity. Directs the Secretary, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to report to the President and Congress on the results of such research, with appropriate recommendations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the activities of the Center. Directs the Attorney General to make grants for regionally-based training and technical assistance for local and State law enforcement agency personnel to respond to incidents of family violence. Provides for awarding of such grants on a competitive basis. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) select recipients who have demonstrated their effectiveness in preparing such personnel to handle such incidents; and (2) give priority to application proposals to develop, demonstrate, or disseminate information about improved techniques for law enforcement officers' response to such incidents. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for each of the fiscal years for which this title is in effect. Directs the Secretary to study: (1) the necessity and impact of mandatory reporting requirements relating to incidents of family violence, particularly elder abuse; and (2) the effect of immunity on the mandatory reporting process. Directs the Secretary, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the results of such study, with appropriate recommendations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such study.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984 - Establishes within the Treasury a Crime Victims' Assistance Fund, in which shall be deposited all criminal fines collected from convicted Federal defendants and all proceeds received from the sale of literary or other rights arising from criminal acts. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to establish a procedure under which any money due a criminal defendant under a contract entered into for the purposes of recounting or having his or her crime depicted shall be paid into the Fund. Provides that all money deposited in the Fund is for the benefit of any victim of the defendant's crime. Requires such victim, in order to receive money from the Fund, to secure a judgment in a civil action against the defendant for damages arising out of the crime. Allows money from the Fund to pay for the defendant's legal representation. Requires the clerk of the court to publish every six months for two years a notice to victims that such money is available to satisfy judgments pursuant to this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to allow victims the opportunity to appear at parole hearings and testify about the emotional, psychological, physical, and financial impact the prisoner's conduct has had on their lives. Authorizes the Attorney General to make annual grants from the Fund to States for the purpose of compensating and providing other assistance to victims of crime. Establishes criteria based on State victims' compensation payouts and population for the distribution of the Fund. Requires that States appoint a State victim assistance administrator to award funds to eligible non-profit, State, and local agencies which provide assistance to victims. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Federal Victim Assistance Administrator to provide funds to executive agencies for services and other nonfinancial assistance to victims of Federal crimes. Authorizes the President to establish a Federal Victims of Crime Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Administrator about the needs of Federal victims. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit a report to the Attorney General setting forth the steps it has taken to: (1) improve the accurate accounting of collections of criminal fines; and (2) assure all collected fines are deposited in the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Secondary School Basic Skills Act - Establishes a program of grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) having especially high concentrations of children from low-income families to enable such agencies to provide more effective instruction in basic skills for economically disadvantaged secondary school students. Defines "basic skills" to include reading, writing, and mathematics computational proficiency as well as comprehension and reasoning. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990. Makes certain amounts of such appropriations available for specified activities and types of grants under this Act. Makes a secondary school eligible to receive assistance under this Act for planning grants, demonstration grants, and formula grants only if 20 percent or more of children aged 14 to 17, inclusive, who are enrolled in such school are counted under LEA basic grant provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as modified by the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA). Requires that funds made available under this Act for planning grants, demonstration grants, and formula grants be used to plan for, develop new approaches to, and carry out educational services and activities designed specifically to raise the basic skills of low achieving disadvantaged children. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, through the National Institute of Education (NIE) and from specified funds appropriated for FY 1985, to make planning grants to LEAs, institutions of higher education, and other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations. Provides that such planning grants shall be made to such entities on behalf of and for the purpose of assisting eligible secondary schools to prepare proposals for demonstration grants. Sets forth application requirements. Limits any such planning grant to $2,000. Requires planning grant recipients to submit a demonstration proposal within 60 days after the end of FY 1986, or else refund the amount received. Authorizes the Secretary, through NIE and from specified funds appropriated for FY 1985 and 1986, to make demonstration grants to enable eligible secondary schools to develop new approaches to achieving improved basic skills instruction of low-achieving economically disadvantaged secondary school students. Sets forth application requirements. Requires that the application be made on behalf of the eligible school by: (1) the LEA; or (2) an institution of higher education, public agency, or private nonprofit organization if such entity will provide educational services or conduct educational activities subject to the proposal. Requires applicants to assure their participation in a national assessment. Requires that administrators and teachers in the eligible school participate in the preparation of the proposal. Requires that the appropriate State educational agency (SEA) review and comment on the application before submission to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to assure that: (1) at least one demonstration grant is made in each State in each fiscal year; and (2) no demonstration grant exceeds $500,000 in any fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary, from specified funds for FY 1987 through 1990, to make formula grants to States to enable LEAs to carry out educational programs and activities to improve the basic skills of low-achieving economically disadvantaged secondary school students in eligible secondary schools. Reserves specified portions of formula grant funds for payments to certain U.S. territories and possessions and payments for children enrolled in Indian schools. Allots the remainder to States on the basis of the number of children aged 14 through 17, inclusive, who are counted for specified purposes under ESEA, as modified by ECIA, for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made. Requires each SEA to make allocations from the State allotment to LEAs, institutions of higher education, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations having specified local applications approved on behalf of eligible secondary schools based on the relative number of children aged 14 through 17, inclusive, in such schools who were counted for specified purposes under ESEA, as modified by ECIA. Sets forth requirements for State assurances relating to formula grants. Limits to one percent of the State allotment State expenditures for administration, technical assistance, coordination, and planning. Limits to ten percent of the State allotment payments to institutions of higher education, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations submitting applications on behalf of eligible secondary schools. Sets forth requirements for local applications to be filed with the SEA. Requires consultation with parents and teachers of low-achieving economically disadvantaged secondary school students in program design and implementation. Establishes a national secondary school basic skills panel in NIE to identify successful model programs and review planning and demonstration grant proposals. Directs the Secretary, through NIE, to conduct a national assessment of the effectiveness and the implementation of demonstration grants. Directs the Secretary to disseminate assessment results to LEAs having eligible secondary schools. Directs the Secretary, through NIE, to monitor grants and coordinate activities under this Act with other research activities conducted by NIE and through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Directs the Secretary to make payments under planning and demonstration grants as expeditiously as possible after approval of applications. Prohibits any formula grant to be made with respect to any eligible secondary school for more than two fiscal years unless there is: (1) an improved performance of the economically disadvantaged secondary school students at the school on a State approved basic skills test; or (2) a decrease in the dropout rate at the school. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations relating to such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Medicare Solvency and Health Care Financing Reform Act of 1984 - Adds a new title XXI to the Public Health Service Act entitled "Programs For Reforming the Health Care Financing System." Sets forth part A of such title entitled "State Health Care Programs." Provides that if a State transmits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within one year of the enactment of this Act, a statement that the State intends to submit a health care plan (described below), for purposes of making payments to the State under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act the Federal medical assistance percentage shall be 102 percent of such percentage as otherwise determined under Medicaid for such State for up to one year. Directs the Secretary to exempt hospitals in a State from the prospective payment limits established under this Act for certain time periods occurring during the first year of the transition period (defined in part C of title XXI as the 24-month period beginning January 1985) if: (1) the State requests such treatment; (2) the State indicates an intention to have implemented a State plan under title XXI which will provide for a recoupment of any revenues received in excess of the amounts permitted under part A; and (3) the State has agreed, with respect to such hospitals, that if a State plan under this Act is not implemented by the end of the first year of the transition period, then the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment in the prospective payment limits under part I of part B as will provide for recoupment in the subsequent year of any revenues received in excess of amounts permitted. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary for the approval of a health care plan for the State for an initial period of up to three years, subject to disapproval. Authorizes extensions of such initial period for up to two additional years. Provides that, for any one year period, in the case of any State with an approved plan: (1) the transitional period provisions of subpart I of part B of title XXI shall not apply; (2) requirements for reimbursement (other than those relating to beneficiary cost sharing) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act shall be waived; and (3) for purposes of making payments to a State under Medicaid the Federal medical assistance percentage shall, for the year the plan is in effect, be 103 percent (or 104 percent in the case of an unrestricted Medicaid plan) of the amount of the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under Medicaid and 102 percent (or 103 percent in the case of an unrestricted Medicaid plan) for any subsequent year (except for any extension period) of the amount of the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined. Defines "unrestricted Medicaid plan" as a State Medicaid plan which does not impose any limitation on the scope or duration of inpatient hospital services other than requiring that such services be medically necessary. Directs the Secretary to annually review each approved plan. Requires the continued approval, for a certain time, of a plan not in compliance, if the State certifies that it will comply within a stated time period. Permits a further extension of approval if there is a trend towards compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Federal program with respect to hospitals for a State which cannot comply. Requires a State plan, in order to be approved, to meet the general requirements set forth below and, if applicable, certain requirements relating to ratesetting plans. Permits a plan, in meeting the general requirements, to be designed in a manner that meets such requirements through a ratesetting system, a voluntary system, or through the use of competitive mechanisms. Requires a plan to be designed in a manner so as to provide, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that: (1) the amount of the total revenues per discharge for all hospitals in the State for each year beginning before 1987 in which the plan is in effect may not exceed the base general hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the State plan was in effect, and the population-discharge factor; and (2) the amount of the total revenues per discharge for all services furnished to hospitals inpatients for all hospitals in the State for each year beginning after 1986 in which the plan is in effect may not exceed the sum of the base general hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the State plan was in effect, and the population-discharge factor, plus the base physician-related hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the plan is in effect and provided for a limitation under this clause (2), and the population-discharge factor. Authorizes a State, at its option, to apply the test specified in clause (2) instead of the test specified in clause (1) with respect to years prior to 1986. Permits a plan, instead of meeting the above requirements, to meet such other alternative test of constraint of health care costs as the Secretary determines will not result in a greater expenditure of funds under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and by private payers than would have been made if the plan met the above requirements. Requires a plan to be designed so as to provide that the amount of revenues for inpatient hospital services and physicians' services to hospital inpatients and individuals entitled to benefits under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII of the Social Security Act may not exceed the amount which would otherwise be payable (including copayments and deductibles) for such services under title XVIII. Permits a plan (other than a plan providing for the establishment of rates of hospital reimbursement for hospital inpatient services) to provide that payment under title XVIII for inpatient hospital services and for other services furnished to hospital inpatients shall continue to be made in the amounts and in the manner otherwise provided under Medicare. Requires that the unreimbursed costs incurred by hospitals in providing services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured patients (other than Medicare or Medicaid patients) be paid pursuant to a plan in an amount which must, in the aggregate, be the same proportion of total revenues as such unreimbursed costs are of total costs of patients who are neither Medicare nor Medicaid patients. Provides that such unreimbursed costs shall be paid through distribution of funds pooled at the statewide level, through a higher payment rate, or through another method approved by the Secretary. Requires a plan to have a mechanism for providing fair hearings for hospitals and any other entities aggrieved by determinations made under the plan. Requires a State to provide for the appointment of a panel, consisting of members with expertise in health care economics and service delivery, to advise in the development and implementation of its plan, periodically review and propose modifications to the plan, and establish the methodology for establishing the percentage limit used to compute hospital revenues. Requires such methodology to include the use of appropriate external price indicators, the use of data from major collective-bargaining agreements for nonsupervisory hospital employees, and other appropriate indicators of wage costs. Requires the methodology to be approved by the Secretary. Requires a plan, to the extent that it provides for meeting plan requirements through a system which provides for the establishment of rates for hospital reimbursement for hospital inpatient services by an entity other than the hospital, to meet the following additional requirements: (1) except as provided in clause (2), the plan must provide equitable treatment of all entities that pay for health services covered under the plan, of hospital employees, and of patients; (2) if the plan is established under State law, the plan must take into account the proportion of costs associated with, and services covered by, the different payors, including Medicare and Medicaid, and may not permit undue shifting of proportions of costs among the different payors; (3) the plan may not make available any discount in price to any purchaser unless the discount accurately reflects economic benefits to a hospital resulting from a service arrangement with a purchaser and the discount is made available to all other purchasers who can satisfy such service; and (4) the plan must provide a procedure whereby, upon the request of a hospital, an adjustment can be considered to the rate limitation applicable under the plan to that hospital to reflect a significant change in the inpatient hospital services, increased costs for the compensation of employees, funds necessary to provide for the efficient operation of a hospital which the State has determined should remain in operation, and higher expenses associated with a regional tertiary care institution, teaching hospital, or children's hospital. Directs the Secretary, in reviewing a plan which provides for control of hospital inpatient costs through a competitive mechanism, to take into account the degree to which the plan provides for the following or other measures to improve price competition among providers: (1) the plan provides for open enrollment periods; (2) the plan provides for the dissemination of information concerning different health benefits plans; (3) the plan encourages innovation and public incentives to new forms of health care delivery and financing; (4) there are negotiated prices and risk-sharing between insurers and health care providers; and (5) the laws of the State do not impose legal barriers to competition in negotiated and other arrangements among insurers and health care providers. Sets forth part B of title XXI entitled "Residual Federal Program" subpart I of part B entitled "Transition Period." Provides that, subject to the provisions of subpart I, for any accounting period of a hospital subject to subpart I the total revenues for inpatient hospital services may not exceed the total of such revenues that are permitted on the basis of prospective payment limits established under subpart I for the hospital's discharges as classified by diagnosis-related groups. Requires each hospital subject to a limitation on revenues under subpart I to provide for the publication of a price list which establishes the price per discharge which any payor may pay for inpatient hospital services. Requires a hospital to submit its price list to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to determine (for each accounting period) a prospective payment limit for inpatient hospital services for discharges classified by diagnosis-related groups. Sets forth the method for determining and adjusting the limit for each hospital for discharges. Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a hospital, to increase the allowable revenues for an accounting period or provide for an increase in the base number of discharges otherwise permitted under subpart I to allow for higher revenues than would otherwise be permitted if: (1) a major renovation or replacement of physical plant or significant change in the capacity of the hospital has occurred; (2) the hospital is a sole community provider or provides a disproportionate percentage of its services to low-income or Medicare patients, the hospital would otherwise be insolvent, and the State has determined that the hospital should remain open; (3) a larger revenue increase is needed because the hospital is a regional tertiary care institution, teaching hospital or children's hospital; and (4) there has been a significant change in the characteristics of the hospital's mix of patients. Subjects a hospital which has total inpatient revenues for an accounting period in excess of its applicable limit to a civil penalty, unless the excess is deposited in an escrow account. Permits withdrawals from the account upon the Secretary's certification that the total inpatient revenues of a hospital for an accounting period fall below the applicable limit for that period. Imposes a civil penalty upon a physician or other person or entity (other than a hospital) who has charged any person or entity for inpatient hospital services which are required by law to be billed to a hospital. Sets forth provisions relating to notice, opportunity for a hearing, and appeal of such penalties. Prohibits a hospital from engaging in an admission practice that results in: (1) a refusal to admit a patient who is unable to pay for inpatient hospital services; (2) the refusal to admit a patient who would be expected to require unusually costly or prolonged treatment; or (3) the refusal to provide emergency services to any person in need of such services. Sets forth penalties, including exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid participation, for hospitals committing such admissions violations. Sets forth subpart II of Part B entitled "Post-Transition Period." Provides that in the case of a State not having a plan approved under part A and in effect for any period beginning after the transition period, the Secretary shall establish and implement a health care plan for such State for such period which meets the requirements of part A, with specified differences. Sets forth definitions under part C of title XXI. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Health Care Technologies and Procedures. Directs the Advisory Committee to examine the appropriateness of the various interventions and the conditions under which they are needed, the safety and efficacy of alternative therapeutic and preventive regimens, and the standards for availability and utilization of various technologies, and to publicly report on whether or not payments should be made for such services and, if so, under what conditions and frequency of service. Exempts individuals enrolled in health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans from the limits established under title XXI on revenues and discharge of a hospital if: (1) the organization elects such treatment; or (2) the organization annually pays for more than 20 percent of the number of bed-days of care with respect to that hospital. Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to employees' health benefits plans to provide that if an employer makes a contribution with respect to the costs of a health benefits plan of an employee and the employer offers the option of membership in a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan, which membership provides benefits at least actuarially equivalent to those provided under the other health benefits plan, the employer shall: (1) contribute at least as much towards the membership as the maximum amount of the employer's contribution to the other plan; (2) provide for a cash rebate if the contribution with respect to any other health benefits plan exceeds the cost of membership with the organization; and (3) provide information to employees that reasonably compares the benefits and costs of different plans. Exempts from the provisions of the previous sentence employees of an employer represented by a collective bargaining representative or other employee representative selected under any law. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans, to provide that the annual per capita rate of payment for each class of members shall be 100 percent in the care of individuals enrolled with an eligible organization in an area where at least 30 percent of the individuals eligible to enroll with an organization are enrolled. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt a health maintenance organization which is a public entity from the requirement that at least 75 percent of its membership be Medicaid eligible or insured under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII or under both parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B of title XVIII. Directs the Secretary, under the prospective payment provisions of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, to provide that in the case of a State health care plan approved under Part A of title XXI of the Public Health Service Act payments with respect to services covered under title XXI: (1) may, at the State's option, be made in accordance with title XXI rather than Medicare; or (2) shall be made in accordance with title XXI rather than Medicare in the case of a plan which provides for the control of hospital costs through a title XXI ratesetting mechanism. Provides for increased Medicare payments to a hospital for its operating costs if the number of admissions for an accounting period exceeds the hospital's admissions during a specified base period. Directs the Secretary to determine a regionally adjusted capital-related prospective payment rate for each inpatient hospital discharge in accordance with a specified formula. Directs the Secretary, for each diagnosis-related group, to estimate the average per discharge amount of charges recognized under part B of title XVIII attributable to items and services furnished to inpatients within such group during 1983. Provides that, subject to the part B deductible and subject to other provisions of the Medicare prospective payment rate provisions, with respect to each individual entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of title XVIII who is a hospital inpatient and whose discharge is classified within a diagnosis-related group, the Secretary shall provide for payment to the hospital of an amount equal to 80 percent of a specified rate in lieu of payments otherwise made under part B for inpatient services. Requires that: (1) payments for health care services furnished to inpatients be made to or through a hospital as a condition of the hospital's participation in the Medicare payment; and (2) the Secretary provide for notice to the public and to individuals enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act of such requirement. Permits the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to borrow at any time from other social security trust funds if it can repay the loan within ten years. Provides for the periodic transfer to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of amounts which the Secretary determines to be equal to a specified fraction of the total revenues of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for each fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to conduct and report to Congress on seven studies relating to: (1) health care costs, quality, delivery, and services; and (2) the effects of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Youth Incentive Employment Act - Establishes a program to provide part-time school year employment and full-time (or part-time with training) summer employment to economically disadvantaged youths who pursue further education and training. Provides that an individual may qualify to be an eligible youth for program participation purposes if such individual: (1) is 16 to 19 years of age, inclusive, at the time of assignment to a worksite; (2) is economically disadvantaged; (3) is not employed; (4) resides in the service delivery area (SDA) of the administering entity; and (5) has entered into a commitment to pursue further education and training. Requires such individuals to sign a written committment to: (1) attend either a secondary school for a diploma, an alternative education program for a high school equivalency certificate, a remedial education program, or a skill training program; and (2) meet attendance and performance standards of such school or program and at the worksite to which the individual is referred for employment under this Act. Gives priority for selection under youth incentive plans to eligible youths with documented educational deficiencies. Terminates an individual's status as an eligible youth upon a finding by the administering entity, after an opportunity for a hearing, that the individual has failed to comply with the commitment. Requires that funds provided under this Act be used to establish and assist programs which assist eligible youth with qualifying employment in the form of: (1) part-time employment during the regular school year, not to exceed 20 hours per week; (2) part-time employment, during the months between regular school years, which is combined with remediation, classroom instruction, or on-the-job or apprenticeship training; and full-time employment for a period of at least eight weeks during the months between regular school years, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Permits funds provided under this Act to be used to pay up to the following percentages of the wages and benefits and the costs of any employer-provided instruction and training of an eligible youth: (1) 100 percent during the first six months of qualifying employment; and (2) 75 percent during any succeeding months of such qualifying employment. Prohibits the use of funds provided under this Act to pay any portion of the wages and benefits of any individual: (1) for full-time employment during the months between the regular school year with a for-profit institution or organization unless such employment is a continuation of employment with that employer during the regular school year; or (2) if the employer has failed to develop or enforce attendance and performance standards consistent with youth incentive plan provisions. Sets forth general requirements for receipt and restrictions on the use of funds under this Act. Provides that the administering entity for any SDA under this Act is the same entity selected to administer the job training plan for that SDA pursuant to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Requires administering entities to: (1) develop and submit to the Secretary of Labor a youth incentive employment plan; and (2) provide from other Federal or State sources, or from local public or private sources, at least 20 percent of program costs for each program year, in cash or in kind. Requires that, of the funds provided to an administering entity for any program year under this Act: (1) at least 70 percent be expended for wages and benefits for qualifying employment, and child care, transportation, or other supportive service expenses for individuals engaged in such employment; (2) not more than 15 percent be used for the cost of administering programs under this Act; and (3) any remainder be used for worksite supervision, supplies, training aids and alternative or remedial education expenses. Sets forth requirements relating to youth incentive plans. Requires such plan to contain specified provisions, including: (1) provision for outreach services and programs to encourage participation in qualifying employment by eligible youths who are school dropouts, as well as by in school youths; (2) assurances that special efforts will be made to recruit youth from families receiving public assistance, including parents of dependent children who meet the age requirement of this Act; and (3) a description of any arrangements made with labor organizations to enable youths to enter into apprenticeship training as part of employment provided under this Act. Requires that such plans, before they are submitted to the Secretary, be: (1) approved by the appropriate chief elected officials and the private industry council for the SDA; and (2) submitted for review and comment to the State job training coordinating council, and include any comments of such council and any reasons for nonconformance with such council's suggestions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) approve any plan submitted in compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (2) only disapprove a plan after notice and opportunity for a hearing to the administering entity. Sets forth special conditions relating to activities using funds under this Act. Requires that wage rates under this Act be the higher of the applicable minimum wage or the prevailing rate of pay for individuals employed in similar positions by the same employer, with specified exceptions in cases of labor organization representation. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe wage rates within specified limits for youth participants for projects financed under $5,000 to which Davis-Bacon Act provisions would otherwise apply. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for allocation to administering entities for programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to reserve a specified amount of such appropriations for allotment among Native American eligible entities, on an equitable basis, taking into account the extent to which regular employment opportunities have been lacking for long-term periods among individual within the jurisdiction of such entities. Requires that the remainder be allocated among administering entities that have in effect an approved youth incentive plan on the basis of numbers in each SDA of: (1) economically disadvantaged youth; (2) unemployed residents; and (3) excess unemployed residents (i.e. those in excess of six and one-half percent of the civilian labor force in the SDA). Requires that such allocations to an administering entity for an SDA be paid to the JTPA grant recipient for that SDA. Provides for a program year basis for funding beginning with FY 1986. Makes FY 1985 appropriations available both to funds activities for the period between October 1, 1984, and July 1, 1985, and for the program year beginning July 1, 1985. Authorizes additional appropriations for the transition to program year funding. Makes specified administrative and enforcement provisions of JTPA applicable to programs under this Act. Requires the administering entity to make quarterly reports to the Secretary on the youth incentive projects authorized under this Act. Requires such reports to include specified topics. Directs the Secretary to compile such reports and submit a summary of the findings to the Congress in the annual report for employment and training programs required under JTPA.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Impact Aid Authorization Act of 1984 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1989 for the impact aid program for federally affected schools. Increases the authority for reimbursements to eligible local educational agencies for revenues lost from federally owned, nontaxable property. Requires the Secretary of Education, not later than November 15, of each year, to publish the percentage change in the price index published for October of the preceding fiscal year and October of the fiscal year in which such publication is made. Bases the amount authorized for such impact aid programs on such percentage change. Limits such percentage change to no more than five percent. Repeals the three-year phaseout of impact aid to federally affected schools whose students' parents either live or work on Federal property. Authorizes appropriations for such impact aid through FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Amends the Small Business Act to provide for the guaranteed payment by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of trust certificates that are: (1) issued to persons approved under this Act; and (2) based on and backed by a trust composed of the portions of deferred participation and guaranteed loans which have been guaranteed by the SBA pursuant to this Act. Prohibits any State, local, or Federal law from preventing the SBA from carrying out the provisions of this Act. Provides that guaranteed obligations issued pursuant to this Act shall be considered exempt securities within the meaning of the securities laws. Requires the SBA to: (1) provide for a central registration of loans, trust certificates, and other securities sold pursuant to this Act; and (2) disclose to purchasers information describing the offer and sale of portions of loans which have been guaranteed by the SBA.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Human Services Reauthorization Act - Title I: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to extend the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance to FY 1985 through 1989. Includes in the term "energy crisis intervention" household energy related emergencies. Requires that at least five percent of a State's allotment of funds for low-income home energy assistance be reserved until March 15 of each year for energy crisis intervention, which shall be administered by public or nonprofit entities having experience in and the capacity to administer such programs. Requires as part of the annual application for an allotment of funds for low-income home energy assistance that a State agree to: (1) describe the eligibility requirements for households desiring to participate in the low-income home energy assistance program and the manner in which the State determines benefit levels; and (2) indicate the amount which the State will reserve for energy crisis intervention and the administration procedures for designating an emergency and determining the assistance to be provided and for determining the use of funds reserved for energy crisis intervention but not expended for emergencies. Provides that home energy assistance payments provided to a household by a private nonprofit organization or by an entity whose revenues are derived primarily on a rate-of-return basis regulated by the State or Federal Government shall not be considered income for such household for purposes of Federal or State law if the appropriate State agency certifies that such assistance is based on need. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Specifies additional home energy and home energy assistance data which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to collect on a State-by-State basis. Specifies the dates by which the Secretary's annual reports on such data must be submitted to Congress. Prohibits the Secretary from using more than $350,000 in any fiscal year for demonstration and analysis of effective ways to meet the energy needs of low-income households. Title II: Community Services Block Grant - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for community services grants for FY 1985 and 1986 and to authorize appropriations for such grants for FY 1987 through 1989. Permits a State to revise the poverty line for purposes of community services grants to 125 percent of the official poverty line established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget if the State determines that such revision will serve the objectives of such grants. Revises the amount of funds which a State applying for a community services block grant must agree to make available to community action agencies and organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers. Requires that the remainder of such funds be used to permit existing community action agencies to serve geographic areas not being served or to establish new community action agencies. Sets forth waiver provisions with respect to such funding requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide training and ongoing activities of national and regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grant program. (Under current law, the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide such training and activities.) Permits the Secretary to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to nonprofit private organizations applying jointly with business concerns for funding. Title III: Head Start Program - Amends the Head Start Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to administer the Head Start program through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Authorizes the appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Requires the Secretary to designate as Head Start agencies any local public or private nonprofit agency which was receiving funds under any Head Start program on August 31, 1981, if such agency meets program and fiscal requirements established by the Secretary. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to give priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to such local agencies.) Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide more than one year of Head Start services to children from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program is located. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such activities.) Specifies the types of programs which must be included in such training activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1984
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to include educational institutions receiving Federal financial assistance within the prohibition against sex discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Vocational Education Act of 1984 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 to carry out the provisions of titles I, II, III, and IV of this Act, relating to State programs. Makes two percent of the funds appropriated for this Act for each fiscal year available to carry out the provisions of title IV, relating to national programs. Title I: Vocational Education Assistance to the States - Part A: Allotment and Allocation - Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to reserve from sums appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under this Act: (1) two percent for the activities described in title IV (National Programs); and (2) two percent for the purpose of carrying out provisions for Indian programs. Directs the Secretary, from the remainder of such sums and subject to specified provisions, to allot to each State for each fiscal year an amount based on formulas using State allotment ratios and relative State populations of certain age groups. Allots the following percentages of such funds on the basis of population aged: (1) 15 through 19, 50 percent; (2) 20 through 24, 20 percent; and (3) 25 through 65, 15 percent. Allots the remaining 15 percent on the basis of the relative sums of such age group allotments. Sets forth a minimum State allotment amount, with specified exceptions, and minimum allotments for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Provides for reallotment among other States of any amount which the Secretary determines will not be required for carrying out a State's program for any fiscal year. Sets forth a formula for determining State allotment ratios based on relative State per capita income. Sets maximum and minimum limits on such ratios and sets ratios for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Sets forth provisions for within-State allocation of the State allotment. Directs each State to allocate from its allotment in each fiscal year: (1) up to four percent for administrative expenses; (2) one percent for expenses of the State Council on Vocational Education, within minimum and maximum dollar amounts; and (3) one percent for guidance and counseling activities at the State level. Requires that of the remainder of the State allotment: (1) 67 percent shall be available for activities described in title II (Programs for Vocational Education Opportunities); and (2) 33 percent shall be available for activities described in title III (Vocational Education Program Improvement, Innovation, and Expansion). Sets forth provisions for Indian programs. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of an eligible Indian tribe, to contract with the tribal organization to plan, conduct and administer vocational education programs with the two-percent reserved funds for such purpose. Authorizes the Secretary, from any remaining funds from such reserved funds, to enter into an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for the operation of vocational education programs in institutions serving eligible Indians aged 15 through 24. Makes provisions of this Act applicable to the BIA as if it were a State board. Part B: State Organizational and Planning Responsibilities - Requires any State desiring to participate in the program under this Act to establish or designate a State board of vocational education to be the sole State agency responsible for the administration or supervision of the State vocational education program. Includes among State board responsibilities: (1) coordination of program policy development; (2) coordination of State plan development, approval procedures, and submission; and (3) consultation with the State council on vocational education and other appropriate State agencies, councils, and individuals involved in program planning and approval. Allows the State board to delegate any of its responsibilities, other than those listed, to other State agencies. Requires States to assign at least one individual to work full time to assist the State board to fulfill the purposes of this Act with respect to sex equity in vocational education programs. Requires each State to expend a specified minimum amount for State administration of vocational education programs under this Act. Requires States desiring to participate in programs under this Act to establish a State council on vocational education. Sets forth requirements relating to council membership, a majority of whom must be representative of business and industry. Requires the State council to advise in-State plan development and to review the State plan. Requires each State to make available a specified minimum amount for the expenses of the State council. Sets forth requirements for State plans under this Act. Requires that State plans be submitted to the Secretary and cover a three-year period in the case of the initial plan and a two-year period thereafter, with such annual revisions as the State board determines to be necessary. Requires that such planning periods be coterminous with those under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Includes among required provisions of State plans: (1) compliance with criteria for programs for the handicapped and for the disadvantaged; (2) relevant training for single working parents and homemakers desiring to enter occupations not traditionally associated with their sex; (3) program evaluation using measurements such as labor market needs; and (4) participation of private elementary and secondary school children. Sets forth requirements for State plan approval. Title II: Programs for Vocational Education Opportunities - Requires each State, from the portion of its allotment available for this title, to provide vocational education services and activities to meet the special needs, and enhance the participation, of: (1) handicapped individuals; (2) disadvantaged individuals; (3) adults who need training or retraining; (4) single working parents or individuals who have been primarily homemakers as adults; and (5) criminal offenders who are serving in a correctional institution. Limits the use of funds under this title for handicapped individuals to supplemental or additional staff, equipment, materials, and services not provided to other individuals in vocational education that are essential for handicapped individuals to participate in vocational education. Permits use of funds under this title for the improvement of vocational education programs designed to provide equal access to quality vocational education to disadvantaged individuals. Permits use of funds under this title to improve or expand vocational educational services and activities to train and retrain adult workers. Requires that such services and activities be developed in coordination with the State agency administering title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of JTPA. Permits such funds to be used for: (1) additional training under title III of JTPA; (2) vocational education programs for training or retraining adults, including programs for older Americans and displaced homemakers; and (3) costs of serving adults in other vocational programs. Permits use of funds under this title for programs for single parents and homemakers, including basic literacy instruction, educational materials for marketable skills, and assistance with child care, transportation, or scheduling to make such programs more accessible. Permits use of funds under this title for basic skills instruction for specified groups with special needs. Allows States to use funds under this title to arrange with private vocational training institutions for educational training, equipment, or services under specified circumstances. Requires that services and activities for groups with special needs under this title include, to the extent practicable, worksite programs such as cooperative vocational education, work study, and apprenticeship programs. Distributes title II assistance as follows: (1) 20 percent for handicapped individuals; (2) 40 percent for disadvantaged individuals; (3) 20 percent for adult training or retraining; (4) 19 percent for single working parents and individuals who have been primarily homemakers as adults; and (5) one percent for criminal offenders in correctional institutions. Allocates the 60 percent of title II funds which shall be available for the handicapped and disadvantaged among local educational agencies (LEAs) in a State based on the relative number of children in public schools counted under specified provisions of title I (Financial Assistance to Meet the Special Educational Needs of Children) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sets forth provisions relating to area vocational schools, use of community-based organizations, and joint projects with other LEAs. Directs the State board to establish criteria for the distribution of the remaining 40 percent of title II funds to eligible recipients for purposes of the programs for adult training, single working parents and dislocated homemakers, and criminal offenders. Sets forth criteria for services and activities for the handicapped and for the disadvantaged. Title III: Vocational Education Program Improvement, Innovation, and Expansion - Permits each State, from the portion of its allotment available for this title, to use grants for: (1) improvement of programs within the State; (2) expansion of activities to meet student needs, particularly in economically depressed areas where there are inadequate vocational education programs; (3) introduction of new programs, particularly in economically depressed areas; (4) exemplary and innovative programs stressing new and emerging technologies and designed to strengthen vocational education services and activities; (5) guidance and counseling activities in the improvement of programs; (6) inservice and preservice training for vocational education teachers, counselors, and administrators, with special emphasis on integration of handicapped and disadvantaged students in regular vocational education courses; (7) curriculum development, including basic skills training; (8) expansion and improvement of programs at area vocational schools; and (9) equipment acquisition and facilities renovation to improve or expand programs within the State. Distributes title III assistance as follows: (1) 25 percent for activities at the State level; and (2) 75 percent for distribution among eligible recipients, or combinations of eligible recipients, pursuant to criteria established by the State board. Directs the State board, in prescribing such criteria, to give special emphasis to economically depressed urban and rural areas of the State and to area vocational education schools serving such areas. Requires that at least ten percent of title III funds available to each State in each fiscal year shall be available only for conducting consumer and homemaking education programs. Sets forth criteria for program improvement, innovation and expansion. Title IV: National Programs - Part A: Research - Directs the Secretary, in order to carry out specified research objectives, to conduct, through the National Institute of Education (NIE), applied research on aspects of vocational education specifically related to this Act. Includes in such research: (1) methods for providing quality vocational education to handicapped individuals, disadvantaged individuals, men and women in nontraditional fields, adults, single working parents or individuals who have been primarily homemakers as adults, individuals with limited English-speaking proficiency, and individuals incarcerated in correctional institutions; (2) strategies for coordinating local, State, and Federal vocational education, manpower training, and economic development programs; (3) private sector involvement in public vocational education; (4) methods of reinforcing and enhancing basic academic skills in vocational settings; and (5) curriculum and instructional methods development relating to new and emerging technologies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) operate an information clearinghouse on activities conducted by States under titles II and III, and on research contracts made by the Secretary under this part; (2) compile an annotated bibliography of research, exemplary and innovative program projects, and curriculum development projects assisted with funds under this Act; (3) initiate leadership development and inservice education activities for State and local vocational education instructors and administrators; and (4) support meritorious, unsolicited research proposals from State and local educators relating to the goals of this Act. Limits an award to any single recipient to no more than 20 percent of the amount made available under this part in any fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national assessment of vocational education assisted under this Act, through independent studies and analysis by the NIE. Requires that descriptions and evaluations of specified aspects of such programs be included in such assessment. Directs the NIE to: (1) consult with specified congressional committees in the design and implementation of such assessment; (2) report preliminary results to Congress in January and July of 1988; and (3) submit a final report to Congress by January 1, 1989. Prohibits any review of such reports outside the Department of Education before transmittal to Congress, but allows the President and the Secretary to make additional recommendations with respect to the assessment. Limits expenditures for such assessment to no more than 20 percent of the amounts available under this part in any fiscal year. Part B: Secretarial Fund - Authorizes the Secretary, from the amounts available for this part, to carry out, directly or through grants or contracts with public and private entities, programs and projects which support: (1) model programs providing improved access to quality vocational education programs for specified groups of individuals with special needs and for men and women seeking nontraditional occupations; (2) examples of successful cooperation between the private sector and public agencies in vocational education; (3) programs to overcome national skill shortages, as designated by the Secretary in cooperation with the Secretaries of Labor, Defense, and Commerce; and (4) other activities designated by the Secretary and related to the purposes of this Act. Requires that all programs funded under this part be: (1) of direct service to individuals enrolled; and (2) capable of wide replication by service providers. Directs the Secretary to disseminate the results of programs and projects assisted under this part in a manner designed to improve the training of teachers, other instructional personnel, counselors, and administrators. Part C: Vocational Education and Occupational Information Data Systems - Directs the Secretary to develop a national vocational education data reporting and accounting system including specified information. Requires that such system be as compatible as possible with the occupational information data system developed under this Act and other information systems involving data on programs assisted under the JTPA. Requires States receiving assistance under this Act to cooperate with such system. Provides for updates and annual data acquisition plans for such system. Requires that one-third of the funds available for this part be used for such vocational education data reporting and accounting system, and that the remaining two-thirds of funds for this part be used for an occupational information system. Establishes a National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee consisting of specified Federal officials. Directs the Committee, with specified funds, to: (1) improve coordination and communication among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this Act and by the JTPA, employment security agency administrators, research personnel, and employment and training planning and administering agencies at Federal, State, and local levels; (2) develop and implement an occupational information system to meet the common needs of vocational education and employment and training programs at all levels; and (3) assist State occupational information coordinating committees established under this Act. Requires each State receiving assistance under this Act to establish a State occupational information coordinating committee composed of representatives of specified State agencies. Directs the State committee, with funds from the National Coordinating Committee, to: (1) implement an occupational information system in the State to meet the common needs of programs of the State board under this Act and of the administering agencies under the JTPA; and (2) use the occupational information system to develop a career information delivery system. Sets forth requirements relating to the information base for the national vocational education data system. Part D: General Provisions - Distributes title IV assistance as follows: (1) 30 percent for part A (Research); (2) 40 percent for part B (Secretarial Fund); and (3) 30 percent for part C (Vocational Education and Occupational Information Data Systems). Title V: General Provisions - Part A: Federal Administrative Provisions - Directs the Secretary to pay from the State allotment the Federal share of the costs of carrying out the approved State plan. Sets the Federal share at 50 percent of the costs of: (1) administration of the State plan; (2) vocational education opportunities services and activities under title II described in the State plan for specified groups of individuals with special needs; and (3) vocational education improvement, innovation, and expansion programs under title III. Sets forth maintenance of effort provisions. Sets forth provisions for withholding of funds from States and for judicial review of such withholding. Sets forth provisions for audits. Part B: Transitional and Conforming Provisions - Makes the effective date of this Act October 1, 1984, but directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth transition provisions. Authorizes each State and eligible recipient of financial assistance under this Act, or under the Vocational Education Act of 1963, to expend funds received under such Acts to conduct: (1) planning for any program or activity under this Act; and (2) any other activity deemed necessary by the recipient to provide for an orderly transition to the operation of programs under this Act. Transfers, on October 1, 1984, the personnel, property, and records of the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to the Nation Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under this Act. Repeals the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Makes conforming amendments to: (1) the JTPA; (2) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Adult Education Act; (5) the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965; (6) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (7) the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
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 · 22 February 1984
Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to require each Federal agency conducting or supporting an activity (whether inside or outside the Coastal Zone) that produces an identifiable physical, biological, social or economic consequence in the zone, or initiates a chain of events likely to result in such consequences, to conduct or support that activity in a manner which is, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with approved State management programs. Exempts from such requirement any Federal activity that is: (1) undertaken to counter the immediate effects of a declared national emergency; (2) necessary for reasons of national security; or (3) required by any provision of a Federal law which prevents consistency with any provision of an approved State coastal zone management program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the President should submit a revised budget proposal containing specific provisions to reduce the Federal deficit by a total of at least $200,000,000,000 over the next three fiscal years. Calls for the Congress to act expeditiously through legislative procedures to consider such proposals and enact a deficit reduction package.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the American athletes be congratulated for their significant accomplishments at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Declares that the United States encourages all young American athletes to take great pride in the accomplishments of the 1984 American Olympic team. Expresses the special congratulations of the Senate to Phil and Holly Mahre, to whom on the day of Phil's achievement of his Olympic gold medal, was born their first son.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Makes a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for FY 1984 to carry out the famine relief provisions (title II) of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480).
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
States that the President should: (1) renew the agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union on space cooperation for peaceful purposes; (2) initiate talks with the Soviet Union and other interested governments on opportunities for cooperative East-West space ventures as an alternative to an arms race in space; and (3) submit to the Congress a report detailing the steps taken in pursuance of these goals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Incorporated to erect a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and recognition of law enforcement officials in the United States who died in the line of duty. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Fund, to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial other than expenses incurred in the process of site selection and approval of design and plans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present to Elie Wiesel a gold medal in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to world literature and human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the public sale of bronze duplicates of such medal.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Declares U.S. policy toward Lebanon should include: (1) the prompt withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from the multinational force in Lebanon; (2) a diplomatic effort at the United Nations to replace the multinational force with another peacekeeping force, preferably under U.N. auspices; (3) advising Lebanon of their need to develop a plan which recognizes the aspirations of all groups there; (4) development of diplomatic efforts with Syria to achieve acceptance by Syria of a reconciliation plan for Lebanon; (5) promotion of a dialog between Israel and Lebanon concerning security arrangements and a reconciliation plan for Lebanon; (6) continuation of other efforts to achieve the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon and the reestablishment of a sovereign Lebanon; (7) renewal of efforts to pursue a broader Middle East peace; (8) intensification of U.S. efforts to retrain and reequip the Lebanese Armed Forces; (9) implementation of an economic assistance program for the reconstruction and development of Lebanon; and (10) implementation of military contingency plans to protect U.S. interests from terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act of 1980 (the Act) to add: (1) the finding that the presence of asbestos and the exposure to asbestos fibers in the schools of local educational agencies (LEAs) pose a serious threat to the quality of education available in such schools; and (2) the purpose of providing Federal financial assistance for an emergency program of removal of asbestos from the schools of LEAs most in need of such assistance. Requires the Asbestos Hazards School Safety Task Force to meet at least four times each year. Directs the Task Force, in making recommendations respecting the approval or disapproval of applications for specified grants and loans, to consider: (1) the extent of compliance with specified Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations; (2) the number of schools in each LEA which have closed due to asbestos related problems; (3) the financial condition of the affected localities as determined by the total cost of abatement or removal, or both; (4) the fiscal effort of the community in which the LEA is located made to maintain the public school system of the agency; and (5) the number of schools in the LEA requiring funds for abatement or removal. Provides that the Task Force review of, and recommendation of modifications of, EPA regulations shall take place only upon request of the EPA Administrator. Repeals the requirement that the Task Force assist the Secretary of Education in formulating standards and procedures. Repeals a provision for termination of the Task Force. Requires State education agencies (SEAs) to submit State plans to the Secretary within three months after enactment of this Act. Requires State plans to include a description of the extent to which LEAs are in compliance with the provisions of, and regulations issued under, the Act and with specified EPA regulations. Establishes an emergency asbestos hazard control program. Makes an LEA eligible to receive emergency grants whenever the Secretary determines that the LEA: (1) is in compliance with specified EPA regulations; (2) has such limited fiscal resources that the LEA is unable to obtain a loan to carry out specified projects; and (3) the asbestos hazard in the school buildings of the school district of such agency adversely affect the public education in such district. Authorizes the Secretary to make emergency grants to eligible LEAs according to a specified ranking procedure. Provides that such grants shall cover all costs of projects for: (1) containment or removal of any materials containing asbestos in school buildings in which such materials pose an imminent hazard to the health and safety of children or employees; (2) replacement of the asbestos materials removed from school buildings with other appropriate building materials; and (3) making repairs which the Secretary determines to be necessary to restore school buildings to conditions comparable to those existing before containment or removal project activities were undertaken. Sets forth application requirements for such emergency grants. Sets forth factors to be used for ranking such applications. Directs the Secretary to provide the Task Force with a copy of any such application. Prohibits emergency grants for projects for which the LEA has an approved application for specified other grants under the Act. Directs the Secretary to report on the emergency grant program by February 1 of each year to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1988 for the emergency asbestos hazard control program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Recognizes the important contribution of the arts to a complete education. Urges all citizens to support efforts which strengthen artistic training and appreciation within schools.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Continues to apply after FY 1983 the certification requirements of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981 which relate to El Salvador until Congress enacts new legislation providing conditions for U.S. military assistance to El Salvador or until September 30, 1984, whichever occurs first.
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