United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish an independent peer review process with respect to listing and delisting of endangered and threatened species (species). Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in cooperation with the affected State to develop species recovery plans. Gives priority to multispecies plans and sets forth plan deadlines. Requires each Federal land management agency to identify species and appropriate conservation measures on lands under its jurisdiction. Authorizes agency contracts with the Secretary for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish a Habitat Conservation Planning Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or interest-free advances from the Fund to State and local governments for conservation plan development. Provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners for species conservation measures. Provides for increased international cooperation and enforcement under the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Programs and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Programs Subtitle B: Related Provisions Title II: Organization Title III: Reauthorization Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments National Service Trust Act of 1993 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to reauthorize, revise, and reorganize national and community service and domestic volunteer programs, establish a Corporation for National Service and a National Service Trust program of Federal investment in support of national service, and provide expanded opportunities for national service and educational awards for participants. Title I: Programs and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act) to establish the National Service Trust program, replacing the current American Conservation and Youth Service Corps. Authorizes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) to make matching grants to State and local governments, Indian tribes, public and private nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions for: (1) full- or part-time national service programs, including summer programs; and (2) subgrants for national service programs of other entities. Authorizes CNS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to support their national service programs. Directs CNS to approve national service educational awards for participants serving in CNS-assisted national service programs. Describes types of eligible national service programs addressing unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs, including community corps, youth corps, service-learning, special skills or specialized training, individualized placement, campus-based, preprofessional training, professional corps, disadvantaged youth community service, national service entrepreneur, intergenerational, or other programs. Directs CNS to establish qualification criteria. Authorizes CNS to provide the following types of program assistance: planning, operational, replication, subgrantee, training, technical, and other special assistance (including support for State commissions and challenge grants for national service programs). Requires CNS to ensure that participants in VISTA or the Civilian Community Corps receive national service educational awards, except in specified circumstances. Sets forth application and program requirements. Requires an assurance that the program assisted will not perform service that provides a direct benefit to any: (1) for-profit business; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; or (4) organization engaged in religious activities (unless such service does not involve use of assistance or participants to give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any form of proselytization). Sets a minimum age for national service participants of 17, except for certain youth programs where the beginning of service may be between age 16 and 25. Sets rules for selection of participants, including selection and training of a national leadership pool. Sets a term of service at a minimum of 1,700 hours during: (1) a full-time period of nine months to one year; or (2) a part-time period of one to two years. Establishes requirements for participant living allowances. Limits the Federal share to not more than 85 percent of the VISTA volunteer allowance. Makes those who serve in approved national service positions eligible for national service educational awards. (Sec. 102) Establishes the National Service Trust in the Treasury to provide for the payment of national service educational awards. Sets forth eligibility standards for national service educational awards. Bases such awards on only the first and second terms of service. Requires that the award be used within five years after completion of the term of service. Sets the award's value at $5,000 for each term of service (up to two terms). Allows the use of such awards to: (1) repay outstanding student loans; (2) pay current educational expenses; (3) enable participation in approved school-to-work programs; and (4) pay interest during forbearance on loan repayment. Provides that awards shall not be considered: (1) in a means-test for Federal or federally-assisted benefits; or (2) as taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes conforming amendments to student loan provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Makes Stafford loan forgiveness available. (Sec. 103) Establishes School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs to replace current Programs for Students and Out-of-School Youth. Revises the Serve-America program (currently named Service-America) to include: (1) school-based programs for students; (2) community-based service programs for school-age youth; and (3) a service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes CNS to make planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with respect to service-learning coordinators participating in an assisted national service program or receive a national service educational award. Authorizes grants for school-based service-learning programs and community-based service programs. Directs CNS to provide financial assistance to eligible public and private nonprofit organizations to establish a service-learning clearinghouse. Adds priority criteria for the making of grants for Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service. (Sec. 104) Establishes an Investment for Quality and Innovation program to carry out specified innovation and quality improvement activities. Directs CNS to provide assistance to appropriate entities to establish one or more clearinghouses, including the service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes the President, acting through CNS, to make Presidential awards for service to individuals providing significant service, and to outstanding service programs. Provides that Civilian Community Corps members may receive educational awards (or suitable alternative benefits if ineligible for such awards). Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend the authority to conduct the Civilian Community Corps Demonstration Program. Subtitle B: Related Provisions - (Sec. 111-121) Makes conforming amendments and repealers to specified Federal law. Title II: Organization - (Sec. 201) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the establishment of State commissions on national service as a condition for receiving certain grants or allotments or a distribution of approved national service positions. Sets commission membership standards and duties, including planning. (Sec. 202) Establishes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) as a Government corporation to administer programs under the Act. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency to report directly to the CNS Chairperson (under interim authorities). Directs the Chairperson to establish (or request the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide) job search and related assistance to employees of the ACTION Agency who are not transferred to CNS. (Sec. 202 & 203) Transfers to CNS functions of: (1) the Commission on National and Community Service (under interim authorities); and (2) the ACTION Agency (under final authorities). Title III: Reauthorization - Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1978 (DVSA) to reauthorize, reorganize, and revise its programs. Chapter I: VISTA and Other Anti-Poverty Programs - (Sec. 321) Adds to VISTA program objectives generating private sector resources commitment, encouraging local level volunteer service, and strengthening local agencies and organizations to carry out the program. (Sec. 322) Revises procedures and other requirements for selection and assignment of VISTA volunteers. Allows a sponsoring organization to recruit VISTA volunteers, subject to final approval of the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director). (Sec. 323) Revises provisions for terms and periods of service. Authorizes a VISTA summer associates program. (Sec. 324) Revises postservice stipends. (Sec. 325) Requires encouragement of participation of both younger (18 through 27) and older (55 and older) VISTA volunteers. (Sec. 328) Repeals authority for student community service programs grants and contracts. (Sec. 329) Renames the University Year for ACTION the University Year for VISTA program. Shortens the minimum period of participation to an academic semester or equivalent. Allows volunteers to receive a living allowance or such other support the Director deems appropriate. (Sec. 330) Revises authority to establish and operate special volunteer and demonstration programs. Requires a competitive process for any grant or contract exceeding $100,000. (Sec. 331) Permits the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to employers and other private organizations that use or desire to use volunteers. (Sec. 332) Repeals a separate authority for drug abuse education and prevention programs under special volunteer programs. Chapter 2: National Senior Volunteer Corps - (Sec. 342) Renames the retired senior volunteer program the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). (Sec. 343) Expands RSVP eligibility to include older working persons and those over 55 (currently 60). (Sec. 345) Requires certain adjustments and minimums for stipends for low-income volunteers. (Sec. 346) Allows non-low-income persons to participate in the Foster Grandparent and the Senior Companion programs, without any financial support except reimbursement for related expenses. (Sec. 347) Repeals certain conditions for grants and contracts under those two programs, including a requirement that volunteers no longer be in the regular work force. (Sec. 348) Eliminates one type of evaluation of the Senior Companion Program. (Sec. 349) Encourages agreements with other Federal agencies involving retired, senior, intergenerational, and conservation volunteer programs. (Sec. 352) Authorizes grants and contracts for demonstration programs of innovative activities involving older volunteers. Prohibits reducing other older volunteer programs to support such demonstrations. Chapter 3: Administration - (Sec. 365) Bases disability or death benefits for VISTA volunteers on a grade GS-5 (rather than GS-7) Federal employee entrance salary. (Sec. 370) Grants copyright protection for the programs of the ACTION Agency. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Director to establish a Center for Research and Training on Volunteerism. (Sec. 372) Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees to make retirement credit for time served as a VISTA volunteer available to all who become Federal employees subsequent to such volunteer service, upon their paying a deposit based on their post-service stipend. Chapter 4: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Amendments - (Sec. 381-383) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 385) Repeals Youthbuild Projects authority. Chapter 5: General Provisions - (Sec. 391) Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 401-405) Sets forth various changes of definitions and references in specified Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Federal Direct Loan Demonstration Program Title II: Conforming Amendments Title III: Effective Dates Student Loan Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to replace the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, under which loans made by private lenders are guaranteed by the Government, with a Federal Direct Student Loan Program, over a four-year transition period. Title I: Amendments to Federal Direct Loan Demonstration Program - (Sec. 111) Amends HEA to change the Federal Direct Loan Demonstration Program to the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSL). (Sec. 112) Sets forth program authority for making funds available for FDSL loans to all eligible students (and parents) at participating higher education institutions selected by the Secretary of Education (Secretary). Requires such loans to be made by participating institutions that also have agreements with the Secretary to originate loans, or by alternative originators designated by the Secretary. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to provide funds for such loans on the basis of need and eligibility of students and parents at each participating institution. Requires the Secretary to pay fees to assist in meeting costs of loan origination to participating institutions or alternative originators. Declares that no institution shall have a right to participate in FDSL programs. (Sec. 114) Provides for phase-in of the program over four years. Sets forth selection criteria for an institution's participation in the FDSL program and in origination agreements. Allows consortia of eligible participating institutions to apply to originate FDSL loans. (Sec. 115) Sets forth FDSL program participation and origination agreement requirements for institutions. (Sec. 116) Sets forth terms and conditions for FDSL loans, including certain parallels with Stafford, supplemental, parent, and unsubsidized Stafford loans under the FFEL program. Provides for standard, extended, graduated, and income contingent (EXCEL account) repayment plan options. Sets forth deferment and forbearance possibilities (including national service). Provides for consolidation, borrower defenses, optically imaged records, and nondischargeability in bankruptcy. (Sec. 117) Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts under the FDSL program for: (1) alternative origination of loans; (2) servicing and collection of loans; (3) data systems for records maintenance; and (4) services to assist in orderly transition from FFEL to FDSL programs. (Sec. 118) Authorizes the Secretary to use a portion of program funds for research on, or demonstration or evaluation of, any FDSL program aspects, including flexible repayment plans. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a plan to the President that provides for wage-withholding by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and evaluates other wage-withholding repayment options. Authorizes the Secretaries to implement options selected by the President. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to publish a notice of standards for the first year of the FDSL program, in lieu of regulations required by the General Education Provisions Act. (Sec. 121) Provides funds for specified administrative expenses of the FDSL program. Title II: Conforming Amendments - Part A: Conforming Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 - (Sec. 211) Amends HEA to provide for access to FFEL program student and parent loans during the transition to the FDSL program. Provides for advances to guaranty agencies for lender-of-last-resort services. Authorizes agreements with guaranty agencies that meet standards to provide lender referral services in geographic areas specified by the Secretary. Requires the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) or its designated agent to begin making FFEL loans as lender-of-last-resort, subject to certain limitations, upon the Secretary's request, and to cease when the triggering conditions have ceased. (Sec. 212) Considers guaranty agency reserve funds and any assets purchased with such funds to be U.S. property for use in operation of the FFEL or FDSL programs. (Sec. 213) Modifies terms of loans under the FFEL program. Authorizes requiring a defaulted borrower to make income contingent repayments. (Sec. 215) Provides for termination of guaranty agency agreements and assumption of guaranty agency functions by the Secretary. (Sec. 216) Terminates an administrative cost allowance to guaranty agencies at the end of FY 1993. (Sec. 218) Directs the Secretaries of Education and of the Treasury to prepare a study of alternatives for Sallie Mae during and after the transition to FDSL, including its own transition from a Government-sponsored enterprise to a private corporation. (Sec. 219) Provides for use of optically imaged documents and records. Part B: Amendments to Other Laws - (Sec. 221) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for collection of income contingent repayments of student loans. (Sec. 222) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide that any reductions in the FDSL program required by a sequestration order shall be achieved only through a specified increase in the loan fee. Title III: Effective Dates - (Sec. 301) Sets forth effective dates for amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
New Columbia Admission Act - Declares the State of New Columbia (presently, the District of Columbia) to be a State of the United States of America. Admits New Columbia into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects. Reserves Federal title to certain lands and property in the National Capital Service Area. Directs the Governor to report to the Congress each fiscal year on the effects on the revenues and expenditures of the State because of the presence of the Federal Government's seat within or adjacent to it. Prohibits the State from changing any provision of its Constitution concerning height limitations on buildings without the consent of the Congress. Declares that nothing in this Act or the Constitution or laws of the State may be construed to permit it to refuse to allow an individual to serve as a qualified registered elector of the State solely because the individual resides in the National Capital Service Area. Sets forth election protocol for popular ratification of statehood. Provides for election of one member of the House of Representatives as well as two Senators. Maintains the laws that were territorially in effect. Continues any lawsuits already pending in District of Columbia courts. Establishes a Statehood Transition Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise provisions for cooperative education grants to institutions and other entities with respect to: (1) reservation of funds for certain grant awards; (2) subsequent participation of certain grantees; (3) priority in awarding grants; (4) Federal share; and (5) availability of appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Education to apply the provisions of specified graduate fellowship programs under HEA as they were in effect on July 22, 1992, for the remainder of such multiyear fellowship assistance for any individual who received such assistance in FY 1992. Revises HEA provisions for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards with respect to a matching funds requirement. Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act with respect to: (1) the Pacific Regional Educational Laboratory; and (2) distribution of funds to postsecondary and adult programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise the program for instruction on the history and principles of democracy in the United States. Requires the program to foster civic responsibility and continue and expand the educational activities of the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution program. Allows the use of funds for advanced training of teachers in civics and government, after the education program has been implemented. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Violence Reduction Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to entities for demonstration projects in which health care providers are trained to: (1) interview and identify victims of domestic violence or sexual assault; and (2) refer such victims to entities providing treatment services. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to educate health care providers and the public concerning domestic violence and assault. Provides for the conduct of epidemiological research on domestic violence and assault.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Education Goals Title II: National Education Reform Leadership, Standards, and Assessments Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement Title IV: National Skill Standards Board Title V: Miscellaneous Goals 2000: Educate America Act - Title I: National Education Goals - (Sec. 102) Sets forth national goals for education, to be achieved by the year 2000, in the following categories: (1) school readiness; (2) school completion; (3) student achievement and citizenship; (4) mathematics and science; (5) adult literacy and lifelong learning; and (6) safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Sets forth specific objectives for each goal. Title II: National Education Reform Leadership Standards, and Assessments - Part A: National Education Goals Panel - (Sec. 202) Establishes the National Education Goals Panel in the executive branch. (Sec. 203) Requires the Panel to issue an annual national report card on progress toward achieving the national education goals and on actions that Federal, State, and local governments should take to enhance such progress. Part B: National Education Standards and Improvement Council - (Sec. 212) Establishes the National Education Standards and Improvement Council in the executive branch. (Sec. 213) Requires the Council to develop and certify (subject to Panel review and approval) voluntary national standards for content areas, student performance, and fair opportunity-to-learn. Authorizes the Council to certify any such standards presented by a State, if these are consistent with the national standards. Directs the Council to certify a system of assessments voluntarily presented by a State if such system meets certain criteria, including coverage of all students, especially those with disabilities or limited English proficiency. Prohibits such a system from being used to make decisions regarding graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a competitive grant to a consortium of various individuals and organizations to develop voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to applicant States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help defray costs of developing, field testing, and evaluating systems of assessments aligned to Council-certified State content standards. Part C: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 221) Authorizes appropriations for the Panel, the Council, the opportunity-to-learn development grant, and the assessment development and evaluation grants. Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement - Establishes a five-year grant program for State and local education systemic improvement. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Sets forth requirements for State improvement plans, including strategies for: (1) improving teaching and learning (including standards for content, student performance, and opportunity-to-learn); (2) system governance and management; (3) parental and community support and involvement; (4) State system-wide improvement; and (5) promoting bottom-up reform. (Sec. 309) Requires State education agencies (SEAs) to make competitive subgrants for: (1) local reform, to LEAs; and (2) preservice teacher education and professional development activities, to consortia of LEAs, higher education institutions, private nonprofit organizations, or combinations of these, through a peer-review process. Requires that at least 50 percent of local reform subgrants be awarded to LEAs with a greater percentage or number of disadvantaged children than the statewide average. (Sec. 310) Authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements and related regulations of specified Federal laws relating to education upon request of SEAs, LEAs, and schools if such requirements impede their ability to carry out the State or local education improvement plans, and if other conditions are met. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary to provide for national leadership activities, including technical assistance, data-gathering, research, evaluation, and information-dissemination. Reserves funds for grants to urban and rural LEAs with large numbers of concentrations of students economically disadvantaged or with limited English proficiency, to assist in school improvement plans development and implementation. (Sec. 313) Provides for assistance under this title for outlying areas, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and Department of Defense schools. Title IV: National Skill Standards Board - (Sec. 402) Establishes a National Skill Standards Board. (Sec. 40) Directs the Board to identify broad clusters of major occupations (except certain construction industry occupations or trades with recognized labor-management-developed apprenticeship standards) that involve one or more industries in the United States and, with respect to each cluster, promote and assist in voluntary development and adoption by specified representative groups of industries, employees, and educational institutions of: (1) skill standards; (2) assessment and certification systems; (3) evaluation systems; (4) information dissemination systems; and (5) revision and updating of systems. Provides for Board endorsement of standards. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants and contracts to carry out purposes of this title. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 502) Prohibits the use of funds under titles II or III of this Act to undertake assessments that will be used to make decisions regarding the graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years from the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Deletes a Federal provision prohibiting the assignment of women to duty on vessels or in aircraft that are engaged in combat missions as well as their assignment to other than temporary duty on other Navy vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the State water pollution control revolving fund program through FY 2000. Requires a specified percentage (increasing with each succeeding fiscal year) of such appropriations to be used for capitalization grants for estuary plans to qualified States. Makes States that fail to submit approved need estimates ineligible for assistance. Directs States to establish separate Estuary Accounts in their water pollution control revolving funds, to be used for implementing approved estuary plans. Permits loans made with Account funds to be for terms of up to 40 years or for the useful life of a facility constructed with the loan, whichever is less, if the borrower demonstrates financial hardship. Establishes a State matching requirement for deposits into Accounts. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants for the implementation of estuary conservation and management plans. Authorizes appropriations. Permits certain grants under the National Estuary Program to be used for interim actions adopted by management conferences to protect the water and sediment quality of estuaries. Extends the authorization of appropriations for management conferences, grants, conservation and management plans, and research under the National Estuary Program through FY 2000. Directs the Administrator to issue a guidance document establishing requirements for: (1) management conferences to follow in developing, implementing, and monitoring conservation and management plans; and (2) approving and implementing interim actions to protect water quality of estuaries for which plans are developed. Requires management conferences to be convened for periods of at least five years (currently, up to five years). Permits extensions for an additional five years if the affected Governors concur and the extension is necessary to meet requirements. Revises approval and implementation procedures for estuary conservation and management plans and establishes procedures for interim actions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless the President reports to the Congress that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; and (3) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant progress in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing financial and other incentives to encourage non-Tibetans to relocate in Tibet; (3) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (4) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (5) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (6) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (7) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (8) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (9) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) its most-favored-nation treatment status shall be governed by the Trade Act of 1974. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers and retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements similar to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993
Amends the General Education Provisions Act to direct the National Assessment of Educational Progress to conduct certain trial assessments, and develop other trial assessments for administration, in 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1993
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on potential means to preserve and interpret Revere Beach, Massachusetts, including recommendations on the feasibility of establishing it as a unit of the National Park System. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993
King Holiday and Service Act of 1993 - Amends Federal law to: (1) authorize appropriations for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission; (2) extend the Commission; and (3) revise its membership. Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to authorize the Commission to make grants to eligible entities to carry out service opportunities on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993
Condemns the human rights abuses of the Government of Sudan and calls upon such Government to cease such abuses. Deplores the internecine fighting among factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Urges such Government and factions to grant immediate and full access to areas of needy people in Sudan to humanitarian relief organizations. Calls upon the President to: (1) expand relief operations to Sudan; (2) increase the amount and expedite delivery of financial assistance to non-governmental organizations that supply emergency aid to southern Sudan; (3) urge the United Nations (UN) to take specified steps; (4) appoint a U.S. Special Negotiator; and (5) take action in the international community to put pressure on any party in Sudan that obstructs the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, to conduct a study concerning traumatic brain injury. Requires the study to seek to: (1) identify common therapeutic interventions which are used for the rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and (2) develop practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct studies concerning traumatic brain injury and establish a uniform reporting system. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with, and provide assistance to, public and private nonprofit entities to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury through the establishment and effectuation of prevention projects. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to State and local entities, and to public or nonprofit private entities, to support: (1) special prevention and public awareness initiative projects; (2) model traumatic brain injury prevention, research, and support programs; (3) projects that study the service needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury; and (4) projects involving grants for services coordination. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to provide assistance to public and private nonprofit entities to support the conduct of basic and applied research concerning traumatic brain injury, especially with respect to the biomechanics of brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States for the establishment of programs related to traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Designates October 1993 as National Head Injury Month.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Lead Abatement Title II: Miscellaneous Title III: Authorization of Appropriations Lead Exposure Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Lead Abatement - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the importing, manufacturing, processing, or distribution in commerce of certain products containing more than a specified percentage of lead. Directs the Administrator to: (1) ban the manufacture, importation, processing, sale, and distribution in commerce of lead solders commonly used in plumbing systems; and (2) restrict the sale and display of lead solders not commonly used in such systems. Prohibits the sale or distribution in commerce of packaging or products if they include any additive to which lead has been intentionally introduced. Exempts certain products from lead content requirements, including: (1) paint used by artists; and (2) products used for medical purposes, radiation protection or shielding, or in the mining industry to determine the presence of noble metals. Requires the Administrator to promulgate a list of lead-containing products that may present a health or environmental risk, specify the maximum concentration of lead found in such products, and promulgate labeling requirements. Prohibits: (1) placing in a landfill or incinerating lead-acid batteries; and (2) the disposal of such batteries other than by recycling in accordance with this Act. Requires used batteries to be delivered to specified entities and establishes battery acceptance requirements. Makes it unlawful to sell a battery that does not bear a label setting forth lead content and recycling information. Requires the Administrator to: (1) study and report to the Congress on the recycling and disposal of small sealed consumer lead-acid batteries; and (2) publish a rule to regulate such batteries or a determination that regulations are not needed. Directs the Administrator to require States receiving grants for lead inspections at covered schools and day care facilities to conduct inspections to detect lead-based paint and dust which contains a dangerous level of lead. Requires school or day care personnel and parents of children attending facilities where lead is present to be given risk disclosure information. Establishes requirements for renovations of such facilities. Requires the Administrator to make grants to States for inspecting such facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to establish protocols, criteria, and minimum performance standards for laboratory analysis of lead in blood and a program to certify blood analysis laboratories. Requires the Administrator to appoint a Coordinator for Lead Activities. Directs the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing Centers for the Prevention of Lead Poisoning. Title II: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be adulterated if the packaging used for such food contains lead that has been intentionally introduced or if the incidental presence of lead exceeds specified percentages. Requires the Secretary to establish standards and testing procedures with respect to lead in ceramic and crystal wares as necessary to make food that contacts such wares unadulterated. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to: (1) reduce lead in processed food; and (2) establish tolerance levels and testing procedures for lead in wine. Prohibits the introduction or delivery into interstate commerce of ceramic or crystal ware or processed food that is not in compliance with lead regulations. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate: (1) a list of vaccines that provide immunization against naturally occurring infectious diseases which are recommended for universal use in children; and (2) recommendations regarding the appropriate dosage and the ages of children at which each vaccine should be administered. Directs the Secretary to establish a national system to track the immunization status of children. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to States to enable such States to establish and operate State immunization tracking registries, subject to specified conditions. Sets forth limitations on the use and disclosure of personally-identifiable information relating to a child who receives a recommended childhood vaccine or to the parent or guardian of such a child. Directs the Secretary to provide for the distribution without charge of such vaccines purchased by the Secretary under the Social Security Act to health care providers who serve children and meet other specified requirements. Permits a health care provider receiving such a vaccine to: (1) use it only for administration to children; and (2) impose a fee for the administration of the vaccine, but not for the vaccine itself, subject to specified limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that funds made available for the purpose of strengthening the public health infrastructure and used in the delivery of childhood immunization services be used for activities consistent with a strategic plan that meets nationally established immunization goals developed by the State in consultation with representatives of health care providers, health centers, State agencies serving young children, and other entities involved in the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable illnesses. Revises the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program regarding: (1) addition of vaccines to the vaccine injury table; (2) the limitation of actions; (3) the extension of time for decision in proceedings on petitions for vaccine-related injuries or deaths; and (4) vaccine information materials (requiring a concise description of vaccine risks and benefits and a statement of Program availability).
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Comprehensive Child Health Immunization Act of 1993 - Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regularly contract for the purchase of specified childhood vaccines in amounts: (1) necessary for distribution under the Public Health Service Act to meet anticipated needs and for the maintenance of a reserve vaccine supply sufficient for a six-month period; and (2) which take into account minimum waste due to breakage or other unavoidable losses. Requires: (1) the Secretary to negotiate a reasonable price for vaccines to be purchased; and (2) a manufacturer of such vaccines to provide cost or pricing data in support of the manufacturer's proposed price (and other data whenever the Secretary determines that contract modifications are necessary). Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the confidentiality of such data; (2) the prohibition of additional shipping or handling charges; (3) multiple suppliers; (4) reporting requirements; (5) funding the program under this Act (including establishment in the Treasury of a Comprehensive Child Immunization Account); and (6) termination of the program. Directs that: (1) the term "early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services" under such Act include administration of specified childhood vaccines, taking into account the health history of the individual (currently, appropriate immunizations according to age and health history); and (2) payments from State plans to providers include reimbursement for the administration of recommended childhood vaccines. Directs the Secretary to promulgate: (1) a list of vaccines that provide immunization against naturally occurring infectious diseases which are recommended for universal use in children; and (2) recommendations regarding appropriate dosages and ages of children at which each vaccine should be administered. Amends: (1) the Internal Revenue Code to remove a limitation on the use of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund; and (2) the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 to provide for a permanent extension of authority to impose taxes for such Fund. Directs the Secretary to implement a program to ensure participation of all health care providers in a national immunization tracking system.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 Title II: Teacher Training Title III: Amendments to Other Laws Service-Learning Act of 1993 - Title I: Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to add service-learning as a component for which funds may be used under various ESEA programs, including Local Targeted Assistance, Law Related Education, Blue Ribbon Schools, Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Critical Skills Improvement, Magnet Schools Assistance, the Secretary's Fund for Innovation in Education, and Drug Abuse Education and Prevention. Establishes a program of grants and contracts for infusion of service-learning into the academic curriculum as a strategy to improve teaching and learning environments in classrooms, schools, and communities. Reserves specified funds for such service-learning program. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such program grants and contracts to State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and other public and private entities. Requires the National Diffusion Network to coordinate with the Commission on National and Community Service in identifying and disseminating information on innovative service-learning programs. Title II: Teacher Training - Establishes a program of grants for teacher training in service-learning. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to SEAs for such preservice and inservice training and retraining through subgrants, technical assistance, and assessment for: (1) LEA elementary and secondary school demonstration and exemplary programs; and (2) higher education institution programs not only for elementary, middle, secondary, and vocational school personnel, but also for their own faculty, especially in schools of education. Requires provision for participation of private school teachers. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance, summarize State evaluations biennially for the Congress, and develop model reporting standards. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the regional service clearinghouses to: (1) coordinate with the Secretary; and (2) provide and collect information on school-based service-learning. Authorizes appropriations for such information function. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to direct the Office of Education Research and Improvement to conduct research on experiential-based methods of instruction, such as service learning.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Amends S. Res. 239, 102d Congress, to make technical corrections relating to the compensation of Albert Einstein Congressional Fellowship Program recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1993
Condemns: (1) the Malawian Government's continued incarceration and harassment of dissidents; the restriction on freedoms of speech, press, and assembly; and the repeated, short-term arrests of opposition leaders to impede their prodemocracy efforts; and (2) all efforts by such Government to limit the ability of political parties and popular organizations to campaign in relation to the upcoming referendum. Urges: (1) such Government to consider the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) Technical Team on the Conduct of a Free and Fair Referendum on the Issue of a One Party-Multiparty System in Malawi and to release all political prisoners; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State to ensure that the U.S. development assistance program bears relation to such Government's progress toward an open political system and respect for human rights and that the assistance of other governments and multilateral institutions is directed toward these goals. Commends the actions of the United States and UN in support of democratic change in Malawi and freedom of expression and human rights. Encourages the President and the Secretary of State to work closely with other governments to these ends. Sets conditions for the resumption of assistance to the Government of Malawi, including the release of political detainees, establishment and respect for fundamental freedoms, permitting the unimpeded right to participate freely in the selection of government, and establishment of effective institutions for the protection of such rights. Authorizes the President to waive such parts of the restrictions which are necessary to provide assistance to refugees currently residing in Malawi.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to transfer or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon. Makes this Act inapplicable to the transfer or possession of a weapon: (1) by a Federal or State agency; (2) that was lawfully possessed before this Act's enactment or, in the case of a semiautomatic firearm designated as a semiautomatic assault weapon under this Act, before the designation is made; or (3) by a licensed manufacturer or importer for purposes of authorized testing or experimentation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to designate a rifle, pistol, or shotgun that is a semiautomatic firearm and meets specified criteria as a semiautomatic assault weapon. Makes it unlawful to transfer or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device except in connection with activities parallel to those listed for the possession or transfer of semiautomatic assault weapons. Requires the serial numbers of such weapons or devices to clearly show if they were manufactured or imported after this Act's effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Radio Free Asia Act of 1993 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize the Board for International Broadcasting to designate one organization constituted on the model of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, to carry out radio broadcasting to China, Tibet, Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. Designates such broadcasts as Radio Free China. Increases the number of Board members. Limits terms of Board members who are presidential appointees to three years. Sets forth additional provisions concerning membership terms.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Deplores the human rights violations committed by the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) during the recently renewed conflict in Angola. Condemns the refusal of UNITA to negotiate and urges the Angolan Government and UNITA to negotiate a cease-fire and set a timetable for full implementation of the Bicesse Peace Accords. Calls upon the President to: (1) extend diplomatic recognition to the Angolan Government to encourage the peace process; (2) appoint a special envoy to support United Nations efforts to facilitate a cease-fire; (3) take actions in the international community to pressure any party in Angola that obstructs the peace process into ceasing such obstruction; and (4) consider dispatching a team to Angola to assess the humanitarian crisis and make recommendations for a U.S. response.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving Enrollment Title II: Application of Other Medicaid Eligibility Rules Title III: Report Medicare Enrollment Improvement and Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Improving Enrollment - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services' annual notice to Medicare beneficiaries to inform certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries of the requirements to qualify for Medicaid (SSA title XIX) payment of their Medicare out-of-pocket expenses and how to apply for such cost-sharing benefit. Requires such notice to be suitable for posting and distributed to physicians, medical facilities, and others receiving grants to provide services to older individuals. Mandates direct enrollment of Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) eligibles by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone number for information about such cost-sharing benefit. Amends the Medicaid program to: (1) require the Secretary to develop a simplified form for applying for such cost-sharing benefit for processing at social security offices; and (2) provide for a period of presumptive eligibility for medical assistance for individuals who qualify for such cost-sharing benefit without regard to whether a final determination of eligibility for such assistance has been made. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies and organizations for the provision of outreach assistance to older individuals who may be eligible for such cost-sharing benefit. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Application of Other Medicaid Eligibility Rules - Amends the Medicaid program to permit retroactive payments of medical costs incurred by certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries in or after the third month before the month in which such an individual applied for such cost-sharing benefit. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on Department activities to ensure enrollment in and full implementation of such cost-sharing program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to subject to criminal penalties and a civil remedy persons who intentionally: (1) by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because that person is or has been obtaining abortion services or lawfully aiding another to obtain such services; or (2) damage or destroy the property of a medical facility because such facility provides abortion services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study concerning the effect of such prohibited conduct on the delivery of reproductive health services for women and on the health and welfare of women throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary to conduct an investigation to determine whether any person has violated or is violating this Act. Permits the Secretary to obtain the assistance of the Attorney General or a State or local government agency in conducting such investigations. Directs the Secretary to immediately refer a violation to the Attorney General for appropriate action. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) civil remedies (including compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and costs); and (2) action by the Attorney General (who may commence a civil action in any appropriate U.S. district court).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1993
Amends the Davis-Bacon Act to raise the threshold amount of contracts covered by such Act. Sets forth provisions relating to multiple contracts, apprentices, trainees, helpers, wage review, and administration of such Act. Amends the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act to revise payroll information reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study and report to the Congress on electronic reporting of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the nonimmigrant admission into the United States of certain alien students and visitors who are the spouses and children of U.S. permanent resident aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Child Labor Deterrence Act of 1993 - Urges the President to seek an agreement with governments that trade with the United States to secure an international ban on trade in products of child labor. Requires the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to identify foreign countries that: (1) utilize child labor in the export of products; and (2) have on a continuing basis exported such products to the United States. Authorizes any person to file a petition with the Secretary requesting that a particular foreign industry and its host country be identified. Requires the Secretary, before making such identification, to: (1) consult with the U.S. Trade Representative, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) publish notice in the Federal Register that such identification is being considered and invite public comment. Prohibits the importation of products which have been produced by child labor. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Authorizes the Attorney General to transfer equipment, artifacts, and memorabilia held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, as well as real property held by the United States, to the Border Patrol Museum and Memorial Library Foundation (incorporated in the State of Texas).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Safety and Health Programs Title II: Safety and Health Committees and Employee Safety and Health Representatives Title III: Coverage Title IV: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Title V: Enforcement Title VI: Protection of Employees from Discrimination Title VII: OSHA Training and Education Title VIII: Recordkeeping and Reporting Title IX: NIOSH Title X: State Plans Title XI: Victims' Rights Title XII: Construction Safety Title XIII: Administration Title XIV: Effective Date Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) with respect to occupational safety and health programs, committees, employee representatives, coverage, standards, enforcement, antidiscrimination, training and education, hazard and illness evaluation, State plans, and victims' rights. Title I: Safety and Health Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends OSHA to establish requirements for each employer to set up and carry out a written occupational safety and health program that includes specified methods and procedures. Title II: Safety and Health Committees and Employee Safety and Health Representatives - (Sec. 201) Amends OSHA to require each employer of 11 or more employees (each for 20 or more hours per week) to provide for: (1) health committees; and (2) employee safety and health representatives. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary), upon the employer's application, to approve establishment of an alternative method of employee participation in worksite health and safety activities in a manner at least as effective as committee participation, if such alternative mechanism meets specified conditions. (Sec. 202) Provides for employee participation in the Secretary's inspections of workplaces. Title III: Coverage - (Sec. 301) Revises the OSHA definition of employer to extend OSHA coverage to States and local government employees. (Sec. 302) Directs the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives to establish a comprehensive occupational safety and health program meeting specified OSHA and other requirements. (Sec. 303) Applies OSHA to employment performed in Federal nuclear facilities under the control or jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. (Sec. 304) Extends an employer's duties under OSHA to all employees working at the place of employment (even if they are not the employer's employees). Title IV: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - (Sec. 401) Specifies timeframes and procedures for setting OSHA standards. (Sec. 403) Requires each OSHA standard to prescribe requirements for recording or reporting work-related adverse medical conditions determined as a result of medical examinations or test. (Sec. 404) Requires public disclosure of all communications on OSHA standards with parties outside the Department of Labor, including those with executive branch officials (except the President). (Sec. 405) Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) acting through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to modify and establish exposure limits for toxic materials and harmful physical agents on a regular basis in a specified manner. (Secs. 406 and 407) Directs the Secretary to promulgate final standards: (1) on exposure monitoring and medical surveillance programs; and (2) on ergonomic hazards to protect employees from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. (Sec. 408) Requires that emergency temporary standards: (1) be issued based on the best available evidence; and (2) remain in effect for no more than 18 months (currently six months). (Sec. 409) Directs the Secretary to issue, within 60 days, an interim final regulation reducing permissible exposure limits to toxic substances, including a specified final rule on air contaminants and a proposed rule on air contaminants for construction, agriculture, and maritime. Title V: Enforcement - (Sec. 501) Provides that time spent by an employee in accompanying the Secretary's representative on an OSHA inspection shall be deemed hours worked, with no loss of wages, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employent. (Sec. 502) Requires the Secretary to notify employees or their representatives, within 30 days after receipt of their request for inspection, of the Secretary's determination that there no reasonable grounds to believe a violation or danger exists. (Sec. 503) Requires the Secretary to make a special inspection upon notification by any Federal or State agency of reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of OSHA or specified safety and health standards exists that threatens physical harm. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary to carry out a special emphasis inspection program for conducting inspections of industries or operations where existing hazards or newly recognized or new hazards introduced into work sites warrant more intensive than normal inspections. (Sec. 505) Requires the Secretary to investigate any work-related death or serious incident resulting in hospitalization of two or more employees. Requires the employer to: (1) notify the Secretary of any death or serious incident occurring in a place of employment covered by OSHA; and (2) prevent the destruction or alteration of evidence that would assist in an investigation. (Sec. 506) Revises provisions for abatement of serious hazards during employer contests to a citation. (Sec. 507) Grants employees the right to contest a citation's designation of the character of a violation or any proposed penalties as inadequate. (Sec. 508) Grants employee representatives the right to participate in other proceedings (as well as hearings) conducted under specified OSHA enforcement procedures. (Sec. 509) Requires the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission's rules of procedure to provide for prompt notice to affected employees or their representatives if the Secretary intends to withdraw or modify a citation as a result of any agreement with the employer. Grants employees or their representative, regardless of whether they have previously elected to participate in the proceedings, the right to object to modifications or withdrawals of citations. (Sec. 510) Revises OSHA provisions for restraining imminent dangers. Grants employees the right to refuse to perform a duty identified as the source of an imminent danger, and prohibits discrimination against them for such refusal. Specifies a civil penalty against an employer for each day during which an employee continues to be exposed. (Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary to issue citations and assess penalties for violations of specified OSHA provisions relating to: (1) inspections, investigations, and recordkeeping; (2) safety and health programs; (3) safety and health committees; and (4) construction plans and programs. (Sec. 512) Revises OSHA criminal penalties to subject to them not only the employer but also certain officers, management officials, and supervisiors. Increases the maximum amount of fines and length of prison terms for specified violations. Establishes criminal penalties for a willful violation that causes serious bodily injury (currently, death only). Prohibits a penalty or fine imposed on a director, officer, or agent of an employer from being paid out of the employer's assets. Provides that nothing in OSHA shall preclude State and local law enforcement agencies from conducting criminal prosecutions. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary to establish an effective system for targeting inspections of worksites, with priority given to those with a high potential for death, serious injury, or exposures to toxic materials or harmful physical agents. (Sec. 515) Provides for the vacating of specified citations for violations if the employer demonstrates that certain conditions involving adequate employee training and work rule enforcement have been met. Title VI: Protection of Employees from Discrimination - (Sec. 601) Extends OSHA antidiscrimination coverage to employees: (1) reporting any injury, illness, or unsafe condition to the employer, employer's agent, safety and health committee, or employee safety and health representative; and (2) refusing to perform duties when reasonably apprehensive that doing so would result in serious injury to themselves or other employees, after having sought and been unable to obtain from the employer corrections of the circumstances causing such refusal. Revises procedures for consideration of discrimination complaints. Revises remedies. (Sec. 602) Requires the Secretary's regulations to include provisions requiring employers to post employee rights protections under such OSHA antidiscrimination provisions. Title VII: OSHA Training and Assistance - (Sec. 701) Requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate curricula, model programs, and other information and materials to assist employers in complying with OSHA standards and requirements for safety and health programs, employee training and education, and safety and health committees. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide technical assistance and consultative services concerning worksite safety and health to employers and employees. Requires targeting of such assistance and consultation at small employers, high hazard worksites, and high hazard industries. Directs the Secretary to award: (1) grants for regional or State safety resource councils or centers; and (2) excellence awards to employees and other organizations. (Sec. 702) Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund, the OSHA Assistance Fund, to pay for such programs. Directs the Secretary to impose fees to offset program costs. Title VIII: Recordkeeping and Reporting - (Sec. 801) Requires the Secretary to collect information and conduct analyses identifying: (1) industries, employers, processes, operations, and occupations, with a high rate of injury or illness; (2) factors that cause or contribute to injuries and illnesses; (3) workers' compensation costs associated with injuries and illnesses; and (4) employee exposure to toxic substances and harmful physical agents. Directs the Secretary to require each employer covered by OSHA to report: (1) each work-related death of an employee immediately upon knowledge; and (2) each serious incident resulting in hospitalization of two or more employees within 24 hours of the incident. (Sec. 802) Revises OSHA requirements for employer records and reports to include work-related illnesses reported by an employee or an employee's physician, unless the employer makes a reasonable determination that the illness is not work-related. (Sec. 803) Requires all such employer records and reports to be made available to the Secretary, the Secretary of HHS, employees, and employee representatives. Title IX: NIOSH - (Sec. 901) Requires NIOSH hazard to evaluation reports to evaluate whether any potentially hazardous condition or harmful physical agent found in the place of employment poses a risk to exposed employees. (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary of HHS to identify major factors contributing to occupational injuries and deaths through accident investigations and epidemiological research. (Sec. 903) Extends the authority of the Secretary of HHS, and of NIOSH, to inspect records to the Secretary's designees and contractors. (Sec. 904) Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a national surveillance program to identify cases of occupational illnesses, deaths, and serious injuries. (Sec. 905) Establishes NIOSH as a separate agency within the U.S. Public Health Service in the Department of HHS. (Sec. 906) Includes education programs for employees and members of safety and health committees under NIOSH training provisions. Title X: State Plans - (Secs. 1001 and 1002) Revises OSHA requirements for State plans to provide for: (1) development of safety and health programs and safety and health committees and training programs that are at least as effective as those under the new OSHA requirements; and (2) reporting requirements, protection of employee rights, and access to information that are at least as effective as those under OSHA or other Federal laws governing access to information related to OSHA. (Sec. 1003) Requires a State to enforce a Federal OSHA standard until a State standard at least as effective is in effect, if a State fails to adopt or promulgate such a standard within six months after the Federal standard is promulgated. (Secs. 1004 and 1005) Sets forth requirements and procedures for the Secretary of Labor to: (1) investigate complaints against a State's compliance with and enforcement of the State plan; and (2) take corrective action against such State noncompliance. (Sec. 1006) Requires States operating State safety and health plans to conform them to this Act. Title XI: Victims' Rights - (Sec. 1101) Provides for victims' rights under OSHA, including family members as well as the injured employee. Title XII: Construction Safety - Construction Safety, Health, and Education Improvement Act of 1993 - (Sec. 1203) Amends OSHA to establish in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (the Administration) an Office of Construction Safety, Health, and Education (the Office). Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to: (1) identify construction employers with high rates of fatalities or lost workday injuries or illnesses or with patterns of noncompliance with health and safety requirements; (2) develop a system for notifying such employers; (3) establish courses and curricula for training OSHA inspectors an other OSHA employees with construction safety and health duties; (4) establish model compliance programs and assist employers, employees, and their representative organizations in setting up their training programs; and (5) establish a toll-free line on which reports, complaints, and notifications required under OSHA may be made. Establishes within the Administration the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Construction. (Sec. 1203) Establishes requirements for construction safety and health plans and programs, involving construction employers and designated project constructors and coordinators. (Sec. 1204) Directs the Secretary to establish an effective targeting system for general schedule construction inspections. Directs the Secretary to require constructors to report promptly any incident involving construction work that results in a fatality, an injury or illness causing two or more hospitalizations, or a structural failure or fire or explosion which caused or could have caused serious bodily injury to employees. (Sec. 1206) Expands the advisory jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (the Committee). (Sec. 1207) Requires any State construction safety and health plan to contain requirements at least as effective as those imposed by the Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. (Sec. 1208) Establishes in OSHA a Construction Safety and Health Academy to train OSHA employees who conduct construction worksite inspections, and others the Secretary considers appropriate. (Sec. 1209) Considers a project constructor an employer for specified OSHA enforcement purposes. (Sec. 1210) Directs the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress annually on the construction industry and after three years on whether the office should be continued or a Construction Industry Safety and Health Administration should be established in the Department of Labor. (Sec. 1211) Directs the Secretary to recommend to specified congressional committees any legislative changes required to make safety records (including records of compliance with Federal safety and health laws and regulations) one criterion considered in the awarding of Federal construction contracts. Title XIII: Administration - (Sec. 1301) Establishes an Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the Department of Labor, to be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Title XIV: Effective Date - (Sec. 1401) Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 - Prohibits any agency, department, or official of the United States or any State (the government) from burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that the government may burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person: (1) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Sets forth provisions pertaining to judicial relief, attorney's fees, and applicability.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) a common or contract carrier from knowingly delivering in interstate or foreign commerce a firearm to a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector unless the carrier identifies and maintains a record of the identity of the recipient; and (2) a person from selling or otherwise disposing of a firearm or ammunition if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient is acquiring the firearms or ammunition to commit a crime of violence. Increases license applicaton fees for firearms dealers. Repeals a provision requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to approve or deny an application for a license to deal in firearms or ammunition within 45 days and related requirements. Adds as a requirement for approval of such a license that the business to be conducted under the license not be prohibited by the applicable State or local law and that the applicant has complied with all requirements of applicable State and local law. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect the inventory and records of a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector without reasonable cause or warrant to ensure compliance with firearms-related recordkeeping requirements (currently, limited to not more than once during any 12-month period). Requires each licensee to: (1) report the theft or loss of a firearm within 24 hours after it is discovered to the Secretary and appropriate local authorities; and (2) respond immediately to, and in no event later than 24 hours after receipt of, a request by the Secretary for information contained in required firearms records for determining the disposition of a firearm. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that importers, manufacturers, and dealers in firearms include a photograph and fingerprints with their initial applications for registration.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Medicaid Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 1993 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide federally reimbursed Medicaid coverage of alcoholism and drug dependency residential treatment services for pregnant women whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level and for their Medicaid-eligible children and spouses. Lists the required services included in such coverage. Requires that such coverage continue for at least 12 months, except in certain circumstances, such as where the coverage of pregnant women must continue for one year following the end of pregnancy. Limits the size of a residential treatment facility. Allows a State agency to grant exceptions to such limit. Prohibits the facility from being licensed as a hospital. Caps the number of nationwide beds for which Federal assistance may be provided under such residential treatment programs. Increases such annual bed cap for calendar years 1994 through 1998. Addresses treatment needs of pregnant addicted Indian and Alaska Native women in Indian Health Service areas.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the low-income housing credit permanent. Modifies provisions concerning unused housing credit carryovers by States to allow States to carry over more unused credits from year to year. Provides that a unit shall not fail to be treated as low-income because it is occupied by students or persons enrolled in job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive: (1) any recapture of credit (required to be included in tax) in the case of any de minimis error in complying with tests for qualified low-income housing projects; or (2) any annual recertification of tenant income if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants. Determines the adjusted basis of any building (for purposes of the low-income housing credit) by taking into account the adjusted basis of the property used in community activity facilities if: (1) such facilities are designed to serve individuals meeting income requirements for the housing project; and (2) not more than 20 percent of the aggregate eligible basis of all buildings in the project is attributable to the aggregate basis of such facilities. Applies at-risk rules to low-income housing credit property that also qualifies for the historic site rehabilitation credit and to qualified lenders. Adds conditions prohibiting discrimination against Section 8 tenants for purposes of meeting extended low-income housing commitments required to receive credits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Prisoner-of-War Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar coins emblematic of the experience of American prisoners of war. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $5 per coin. Requires specified proceeds from such surcharges to be paid to the: (1) Secretary of the Interior for construction of the Andersonville Prisoner-of-War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia; (2) endowment fund established by this Act for the maintenance of such Museum; and (3) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Live Performing Artists Labor Relations Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in it a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if its majority status has not yet been established (pre-hire agreements). Defines "employer" to include purchasers of live musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform live musical services. Provides that nothing in the amendments made by this Act shall be construed as affecting the treatment of individuals (as employees or independent contractors) covered by such labor law amendments for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code or any other laws.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Expresses the sense of the Senate that neither the President nor the Congress should impose fees, levies, or diversion requirements on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit (until the Attorney General certifies that a national instant criminal background check system (System) is established pursuant to this Act) any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer from selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless: (1) after the most recent proposal of such transfer by the individual, the transferor has received a statement of eligibility from the individual, verified the identity of such individual, provided notice of the contents, and transmitted a copy of the statement to the chief law enforcement officer (chief) of the place of residence of the individual within one day after the individual furnishes the statement; and five business days have elapsed from the date the transferor furnished notice of the contents of the statement to the chief, during which period the transferor has not received information from the chief that receipt or possession of the handgun by the individual would be in violation of Federal, State, or local law or has received notice from the chief that the chief has no information indicating that such receipt or possession would violate such law; (2) the individual has presented to the transferor a statement from the chief, issued in the past ten days, stating that the individual requires a handgun because of a threat to such individual or such individual's family; (3) the individual has presented to the transferor a permit to possess a handgun that has been issued in the past five years by the State in which the transfer is to take place under a State law which requires law enforcement verification of the individual's legal qualification to possess a handgun; (4) State law requires that an authorized government official verifies that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the purchaser would be unlawful, with exceptions; (5) the Secretary of the Treasury has approved the transfer under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; or (6) the Secretary has certified, on application of the transferor, that compliance with the notice requirement is impracticable for specified reasons. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish the System; (2) expedite the upgrading and indexing of State criminal history records in the Federal criminal records system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the development of hardware and software systems to link State criminal history check systems into the System, and the current revitalization initiatives by the FBI for technologically advanced fingerprint and criminal records identification; and (3) ensure the privacy and security of System information. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of justice system improvement formula grants for the improvement of State record systems and the sharing with the Attorney General of specified records for the purpose of implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Authorizes the President to provide assistance for victims of torture in the former Yugoslavia (without regard to U.S. diplomatic recognition of a republic), with a particular focus on victims of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Makes such assistance available notwithstanding any provision of law, except for provisions prohibiting foreign assistance for the performance of, or research regarding, abortions or involuntary sterilization.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000105_200.jpg)