The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001085_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
3,515 records where Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Designates the week of November 8 through November 14, 1987, as National Food Bank Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Urges the German Democratic chief of state Erich Honecker to: (1) repeal the order directing East German border guards to shoot to kill anyone who attempts to cross the Berlin Wall; and (2) issue an order to tear down the Berlin Wall.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers receiving annual tax filing forms from the IRS. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding the determination or collection of any tax at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to explain to the taxpayer the audit process, including the taxpayer's rights with respect to the process. Requires the Secretary to abate any penalty or interest imposed on any deficiency attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations with respect to Taxpayer Assistance Orders, including provisions to assure full, fair, and impartial due process for affected taxpayers. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Sets forth criteria with respect to: (1) the authority of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation; and (2) the authority of the Secretary in cases of audits or investigations requiring access to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. Allows the Secretary to prohibit investigations under specified circumstances. Restricts disclosure by the Inspector General of tax returns and return information. Prohibits records of tax enforcement results from being used to evaluate certain IRS personnel or to impose or suggest production quotas. Requires district directors to certify compliance with this mandate on a monthly basis. Requires the Secretary to certify that a rule proposed by the IRS is substantially the only alternative that meets the mandate of the relevant statute in order for the rule to be considered an interpretative rule (and thereby not subject to analyses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act). Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require regulatory flexibility analyses to include consideration of both the direct and indirect beneficial and negative effects of a proposed or final rule. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary, with limited exceptions, to send a preliminary letter of deficiency to a taxpayer prior to the mailing of a deficiency notice. Specifies required contents for tax due notices and deficiency notices, including the basis of the deficiency and a breakdown of the total amount into tax, interest, and penalty. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations requiring all IRS personnel to explain and support their position in assessing any penalties or additions to tax. Requires the Comptroller General to study IRS procedures with respect to such assessments and to present findings to specified congressional committees no later than December 31, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which the taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments if the Secretary determines that such an agreement will facilitate collection of the liability. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul the agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Renders such an agreement nonbinding if the taxpayer fails to pay any installment or any other tax liability when due. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Permits the Secretary to demand surrender of bank accounts only after 21 days in escrow have passed since service of the notice of levy on the accounts. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action against the United States in the Tax Court for judicial review of jeopardy levies and assessments. (Under current law an action for judicial review of jeopardy assessments may be filed only in district court.) Increases the time during which a taxpayer may petition for such review. Describes the jurisdictional requirements to be applied to such actions. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Grants to the Tax Court exclusive jurisdiction to enjoin premature assessments if the taxpayer has filed a timely petition for review. Provides for review of such injunctive orders by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to enforce payment by the Secretary of refunds of overpayment and interest to taxpayers. Places on the Secretary the burden of proof of justifying any failure to refund, credit, or offset relevant amounts with respect to a taxpayer. Entitles a prevailing taxpayer to: (1) an interest rate of 120 percent of the overpayment rate with respect to refunds; and (2) reasonable litigation costs. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to: (1) review jeopardy assessment sales of assets; and (2) redetermine interest under certain circumstances when a taxpayer claims an overpayment of the interest. Vests in the Tax Court original jurisdiction over any civil action against the Secretary for the recovery of any tax, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes. Authorizes an award of reasonable litigation costs to the prevailing party in proceedings by taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action in district court for actual damages resulting from the failure of any Federal officer or employee to release a tax lien on the taxpayer's property. Permits a civil cause of action in district court for damages resulting from the careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of internal revenue laws by any Federal officer or employee. Denies damage awards in cases of contributory negligence. Authorizes a damage award, to a $10,000 maximum, to the United States in cases of frivolous or groundless claims by a taxpayer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation or surveillance authorized or conducted by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Establishes in the Internal Revenue Service the Office for Taxpayers Services, under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Directs this Assistant Commissioner to: (1) be responsible for telephone, walk-in, and educational services, and for the design and production of tax and information forms; and (2) prepare annually, for presentation to specified congressional committees, a joint report (with the Chief Problem Resolution Officer for the IRS) on the quality of taxpayer services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Designates February 4, 1988, as National Women in Sports Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1987
Establishes the Commission on the Effects of Deregulation on Air Travel to study and make recommendations concerning the impact of a deregulated airline industry on the Federal Government's goal of promoting development of an air transportation industry that provides quality service to all regions of the country. Requires study in particular of the effectiveness of the essential air service program and rural service alternatives. Requires the Commission to submit a detailed final report to the Congress and the President. Terminates the Commission following its submission of such report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Increases authorized appropriations to provide for completion of the Colorado River Storage Project, which provides water and power to the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1987
Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to make it unlawful for any petroleum refiner or manufacturer to introduce into retail commerce motor fuels containing either benzene, toluene, or xylene. Sets forth permissible levels of naturally occuring benzene, toluene, or xylene. Permits petroleum fuel manufacturers or refiners to introduce into retail commerce such additives at levels exceeding the permissible if the retail dispensing pump prominently displays a warning of the health dangers posed by exposure to such additives. Prescribes: (1) the size and content of such labeling information; and (2) the testing procedure for the benzene content of motor fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1987
Designates the month of October 1987 as National AIDS Awareness and Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1987
National American Indian Museum and Memorial Act - Title I: Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a memorial to the American Indian people to be known as the National Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, to provide for the study, research, collection, and exhibition of aboriginal Americans and their culture. Designates a specified area in the District of Columbia as the site of the Museum. Authorizes the Smithsonian to accept the transfer of all assets of the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, in New York City. Provides for the construction of a building for the Museum at the District of Columbia site, a Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland, and a permanent exhibition facility in New York City. Provides that the Heye Foundation's collection will not be merged with the Smithsonian's collection. Provides that the proceeds from the sale of property acquired through the transfer of the Foundation's assets will be maintained for the exclusive benefit of the Museum. Establishes the Trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, to assist the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian on matters relating to the Museum. Grants the Trustees sole authority to: (1) dispose of and acquire additional Museum property; and (2) determine the policy for displaying artifacts. Requires the Trustees to submit annual reports to the Board of Regents and the Congress. Requires the Foundation's employees serving at the time of the transfer to be offered employment by the Smithsonian. Pledges that the United States will provide the funds needed to maintain and operate the Museum. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Establishes a memorial within the Museum to commemorate the contributions of Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States and to house certain skeletal remains. Expresses the intent of the Congress that the memorial and Museum be completed within five years of the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Smithsonian to determine the tribal origin of all skeletal remains of Indians and Alaska Natives under the control of the Smithsonian. Requires the Secretary to inter in the memorial all skeletal remains of Indians and Alaska Natives covered by a written statement to the Congress certifying that such remains: (1) have not been identified as being associated with a specific Indian tribe or group of Alaska Natives; or (2) have been identified as being associated with a specific Indian tribe or group of Alaska Natives which requests the interment of such remains in the memorial; and (3) are not likely to be the subject of any Indian claim or dispute. Requires the Museum to establish a Board of Design for the memorial, the majority of whose members shall be of American Indian or Alaska Native ancestry. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1987
Intelligence Oversight Act of 1987 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal provisions prohibiting the use of funds by or on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for covert action (special activities) in the absence of a presidential finding that such action is important for national security. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the President to ensure that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (intelligence committees) are kept fully and currently informed of special activities. (Current law imposes such duties on the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) and agency heads but not on the President himself.) Declares that such activities shall ordinarily be conducted pursuant to consultations between the President and the intelligence committees prior to implementation of special activities. Requires the President to ensure that any illegal intelligence activity or significant intelligence failure is reported to the intelligence committees, as well as any corrective action taken or planned in connection with such illegal activity or failure. (Current law imposes this duty only on the DCI and agency heads, subject to certain conditions.) Provides statutory authority for the President to authorize special activities when necessary to support U.S. foreign policy objectives and when important to U.S. national security. (Current law does not provide express statutory authorization for special activities, nor does it require that the activities be necessary to support U.S. foreign policy objectives.) Requires that this determination be set forth in a finding that meets specified conditions: (1) that each finding be in writing, unless immediate action is required and time does not permit a written finding (in which case a written record of the President's decision would have to be contemporaneously made and reduced to a written finding as soon as possible but not later than 48 hours after the decision is made); (2) that each finding specify each U.S. Government entity authorized to fund or otherwise participate in such special activities; and (3) that each finding specify any third party, including any third country, whom it is contemplated will be used to fund or otherwise participate in the special activity. Prohibits a finding from authorizing any action inconsistent with or contrary to any U.S. statute. Requires the President to ensure that any such finding be reported to the intelligence committees as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after it has been signed. Allows the President to limit access in extraordinary circumstances to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the intelligence committees, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, but requires that he provide a statement of the reasons for limiting access. Requires the President to promptly notify the intelligence committees or, if applicable, the Members of Congress specified, of any significant change in any previously-approved special activities. Defines special activities to mean any activity conducted in support of national foreign policy objectives abroad which is planned and executed so that the role of the United States is not apparent or acknowledged publicly. Prohibits the use of U.S. funds for any special activity unless and until a presidential finding has been signed or otherwise issued in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
Requests and authorizes the President to designate June 6 through June 12, 1988, as National Fishing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1987
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Amendments of 1987 - Title I: Administrative Provisions - Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to require the Secretary (hereinafter refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of the Interior, or both, as appropriate) to prescribe the records recipients of Federal financial assistance must keep by promulgating regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that multi-year contract recipients of such assistance must keep quarterly financial statements, an annual specified single-agency audit, and a brief annual program report. Title II: Indian Self-Determination Act Amendments - Directs the Secretary, upon the request of any Indian tribe or tribal organization (currently, Indian tribe) to enter into a self-determination contract (currently, contract) with such Indian tribe or tribal organization, for: (1) the transfer of certain hospitals and health services; (2) construction programs administered by the Secretary for which appropriations are made to agencies other than the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of the Interior; and (3) any program for the benefit of Indians without regard to the agency of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of the Interior within which it is performed. Requires the Secretary, within 90 days after receiving a proposal for a self-determination contract, to approve it (currently, may initially decline to enter into a contract) unless he makes specified findings. Entitles Indian tribes and tribal organizations to contract for any program or function operated by the Federal Government. Authorizes the Secretary, upon the request of an Indian tribe or tribal organization, to consolidate two or more mature self-determination contracts into one contract. Requires the Secretary, when he declines to enter into a self-determination contract, to provide assistance (currently, provide to the extent practicable) to the Indian tribe or tribal organization. Exempts liability for interest prior to judgment or for punitive damages from the requirement that a carrier which provides liability insurance to an Indian tribe or tribal organization must waive its right to raise the tribe's sovereign immunity from suit as a defense. Provides that a tribal organization or Indian contractor carrying out a contract, grant agreement, or cooperative agreement regarding claims for personal injury resulting from the performance of medical, surgical, dental, or related functions is deemed to be part of the Public Health Service with respect to claims for personal injury. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make contracts with tribal organizations for hospital and health facility functions. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of any Indian tribe or tribal organization, to provide technical assistance on a non-reimbursable basis to: (1) develop new self-determination contracts authorized by this Act; (2) provide for the assumption by such Indian tribe or tribal organization of contracts for certain health, education, and welfare programs; and (3) modify proposals for self-determination contracts which the Secretary has declined to approve. Exempts self-determination contracts from the provisions of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act. Makes permanent the provision of Federal law which permits Federal employees who transfer to tribal employment to retain civil service benefits. Extends the length of self-determination contracts to three years (currently, one year) for a new contract and five years (currently, three years) for a mature contract, unless the appropriate Secretary determines that a longer term would be advisable. Requires that a request for retrocession of a contract requested by an Indian tribe or tribal organization shall become effective within one year (currently, 120 days). Authorizes the appropriate Secretary, in connection with self-determination contracts, to: (1) donate to an Indian tribe or tribal organization the title to any personal property exceeding the needs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service or the General Services Administration, including purchases made with funds under self-determination contracts; and (2) acquire excess or surplus Government property for donation to an Indian tribe. Repeals a restriction on the minimum amount of self-determination contracts. Provides that the funds for self-determination contracts shall: (1) include all costs incurred by an Indian tribe or tribal organization in connection with such contract; (2) not be reduced to make base funding available for any new self-determination contract; (3) not be less than the appropriate Secretary would have otherwise provided for direct operation of the programs; (4) not be reduced by the Secretary in subsequent years except by a reduction in congressional appropriations; and (5) not be reduced by the Secretary to pay for Federal functions or for the costs of Federal personnel displaced by a self-determination contract. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, and the Senate and House Appropriations Committees on the implementation of this Act. Prevents Indian tribes and tribal organizations from being held liable for uncollectable indirect costs from Federal agencies, except for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Prohibits Indian tribes and tribal organizations from being held liable for amounts of indebtedness attributable to underrecoveries or overrecoveries of indirect costs. Requires the Secretary to give notice of any disallowance of costs before removing any program from the Indian Priority System. Requires the Secretary to add indirect costs to the amount of funds provided for direct costs for self-determination contracts for the first year and for each subsequent year that the program remains continuously under contract. Gives to the Federal district courts, concurrent with the United States Claims Court, original jurisdiction over any civil action or claim against the appropriate Secretary arising under this Act. Prohibits unilateral modification of self-determination contracts by the United States and sets forth provisions relating to such modifications. Applies the Equal Access to Justice Act to administrative appeals by Indian tribes and tribal organizations regarding self-determination contracts. Applies the Contract Disputes Act to such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1987
Agent Orange Disability Benefits Act of 1987 - Creates a rebuttable presumption, for purposes of veterans' disability benefits determinations, that, in the case of any veteran who performed active service in Vietnam, the disease of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was incurred in or aggravated by such service. Allows the presumption to be rebutted upon a showing that the veteran did not incur the disease during service performed in Vietnam or that the veteran was not exposed to herbicides while performing such service.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1987
Extends until December 31, 1987, the following Federal provisions relating to the Veterans Administration (VA) housing loan guaranty program: (1) the collection from participating veterans of the VA housing loan fee; and (2) the formula for determining whether, upon foreclosure, the VA shall acquire the property securing a guaranteed loan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1987
Designates the week of November 1 through November 7, 1987, as National Watermen's Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1987
Declares that the Senate: (1) congratulates the people and the loyal military of the Philippines for their success in ending the attempted overthrow of the Government; (2) renews its support for the efforts of President Corazon Aquino to pursue the development of democratic institutions; (3) supports military assistance to the Philippine Government to assist in defeating the Communist insurgency; (4) supports continued economic assistance to the Philippine Government; (5) calls attention to current U.S. law which requires suspension of U.S. military or other assistance if an elected head of the Philippine Government is deposed by military coup or decree; and (6) urges the Philippine Government to increase its efforts to address the problems of corruption within the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1987
Medicaid Home and Community Quality Services Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals who became disabled before age 22 and are living in a family home, foster family home, or community living facility. Requires that such services be provided in accordance with a written habilitation plan developed by an interdisciplinary team on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the individual's strengths and the services and support necessary to: (1) enable such individual to attain or retain capabilities for independence or self-care; (2) promote interaction between disabled and nondisabled individuals within the community; and (3) enable disabled individuals who are over age 18 to engage in paid employment. Increases the age at which newly disabled individuals will be eligible for this Act's coverage so that eventually individuals who become disabled between age 22 and 50 will be covered. Lists the services which may comprise community and family support services, requiring that such services include at a minimum: (1) case management services; (2) individual and family support services; (3) specialized vocational services; and (4) protective intervention services. Excludes from such services: (1) room and board, other than room and board provided for less than six consecutive weeks and less than 12 weeks per year; (2) cash payments as a service; (3) aversive behavior intervention, management, or therapies; (4) services provided to a disabled individual living in a hospital, or skilled nursing or intermediate care facility; (5) educational services which the State makes generally available to its residents without cost and without regard to their income; and (6) services for which payment is made under title XVIII (Medicare), or part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Act. Requires each State to make certain assurances regarding their provision of community and family support services and submit an implementation strategy to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires that such implementation strategies: (1) describe the extent and scope of community and family support services provided to the severely disabled and the extent and scope of services provided to the severely disabled who are institutionalized; (2) set forth the objectives and a five-year strategy for expanding community and family support services for the severely disabled; (3) include certain procedures for transferring severely disabled, institutionalized individuals to family homes, foster family homes, or community living facilities; (4) set forth standards for the provision of community and family support services and a program for licensing and certifying all facilities and programs providing such services; (5) provide for assessments of the provision and affect of community and family support services and the correction of service deficiencies; (6) provide the public with an adequate opportunity to comment on the strategies; (7) set forth methods ensuring that the personnel providing community and family support services receive adequate training and are competent to provide such services; (8) provide that the State has in effect a management information system capable of collecting, storing, and retrieving data on the severely disabled who receive community and family support services; (9) provide an opportunity for an appeal and hearing before a hearing officer to individuals who believe themselves to be inappropriately served or denied an appropriate service, or who are being scheduled for an involuntary transfer from one living arrangement to another; (10) describe the methods to be used in administering community and family support services; and (11) set forth procedures to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of the severely disabled from public institutions. Allows States to provide any new community and family support service for up to three years without meeting the Medicaid requirements that it provide a service on a statewide basis and that the service be comparable in all parts of the State. Requires that intermediate care facility services for the mentally retarded include the ascertainment of the individual needs of each newly admitted individual by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days and the development of a written habilitation plan for each individual. Limits Medicaid payments to States for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services furnished to individuals under age 65 who became disabled before age 22 to the amount payable for such services in the fiscal year ending after the enactment of this Act, increased if and by the extent to which the percentage increase in the consumer price index exceeds six percent. Makes such limitation inapplicable to facilities which have less than 16 beds or meet the size and location requirements for a community living facility. Requires States to have in effect a system to protect and advocate those rights of the severely disabled who are eligible for medical assistance which relate to the provision of such assistance. Provides Federal Medicaid matching funds for such system. Gives individuals who are adversely affected by a violation of this Act's requirements the right to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Allows States to set payment rates for community and family support services for the severely disabled. Authorizes States to treat severely disabled individuals under age 19 who are not in a medical institution as receiving benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act for Medicaid eligibility purposes if they would be eligible for SSI benefits if institutionalized. Requires States to establish a uniform income standard for the severely disabled regardless of whether or not they are in a medical institution. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of disabled spouses and children who, except for the resources deemed to them, would be eligible for SSI benefits. Removes certain limitations on the Secretary's approval of reduction and correction plans for deficient intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Makes individuals who are severely disabled and receiving or deemed to be receiving SSI benefits eligible for Medicaid as long as such qualifications continue to be satisfied. Directs the Secretary to establish, within the Health Care Financing Administration, a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services responsible for administering Medicaid programs for the severely disabled. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop standards and a program for training Federal and State personnel who perform surveys of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to determine whether such facilities meet Medicaid participation requirements; and (2) periodically conduct studies of the reliability of such surveys and make the changes necessary to improve such reliability. Directs the Secretary to support the development of: (1) instruments to assess outcomes in the provision of this Act's services; and (2) competency-based personnel standards for agencies and organizations providing services to the severely disabled pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of each State's compliance with this Act's requirements; and (2) issue final regulations regarding this Act's amendments prior to the first fiscal year beginning after this Act's enactment. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Veterans' Beneficiary Travel, Medical Quality Assurance, and Readjustment Counseling Improvements Act of 1987 - Title I: Beneficiary Travel - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to authorize the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a specified amount of travel expenses (for travel to and from a Veterans Administration (VA) facility) to the following veterans: (1) veterans receiving service-connected disability benefits; (2) veterans receiving veterans' pensions; (3) a veteran whose annual income is below a specified amount; (4) a veteran whose travel to a VA facility is incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination; and (5) a veteran whose travel to a VA facility is required to be performed by a special mode of travel and such travel is previously authorized or is necessary due to a medical emergency. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct from the amount otherwise payable a specified sum for each trip to or from a VA facility, with a specified limit on the amount to be so deducted from the payments to veterans who are required to make six or more trips to such facilities during a one-month period. Requires the amounts deducted to be adjusted whenever the travel rates are adjusted by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator, prior to October 1 of the year involved, to make an allocation to each VA medical facility to enable the facility head to make payments for the travel expenses of veterans traveling to such facility. Outlines administrative provisions to be implemented whenever the head of such a facility demonstrates to the Chief Medical Director of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery that such facility was making travel expense payments at a level less than that authorized to be made at such facility. Allows funds given to a facility for such purpose but unexpended to be available for support of other authorized health care purposes. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and appropriate representatives of veterans' service organizations, to facilitate the establishment of a program under which those organizations or individuals volunteering their services to the VA would take responsibility for the transportation, without reimbursement, to VA facilities of veterans who seek services or benefits from the VA. Directs the Administrator, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the implementation of the above provision. Title II: Medical Quality Assurance - Establishes in the Office of the Chief Medical Director an Office of the Medical Inspector General. Sets forth staffing requirements, including requiring not less than five assistant Medical Inspectors General. Requires the Medical Inspector General to: (1) monitor, review, and investigate any adverse incident experienced by a patient during the course of a patient's care at a VA facility; (2) conduct such reviews and investigations as considered necessary in relation to problems in the provision of health care to veterans, proposing to the Chief such corrective measures as are considered appropriate; and (3) have sole discretion in determining whether to investigate any incident involving patient care or the provision of health care to veterans. Directs the Medical Inspector General, no later than February 1 annually, to report to the Chief Medical Director and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the activities of the Office of the Medical Inspector General during the preceding fiscal year, outlining certain information to be included in each such report. Requires the Medical Inspector General to be a member of all policymaking bodies within the Department of Medicine and Surgery that are concerned with the quality of health care provided in VA facilities. Directs the Administrator to transfer to the Office of the Medical Inspector General such funds as are necessary to support five full-time medical doctors and five full-time support personnel in the Office of the Medical Inspector General. Requires one of the eight Assistant Chief Medical Directors currently established under Federal law to specialize in health care quality assurance and to be responsible to the Chief Medical Director for quality assurance within the VA. Directs the Chief to ensure that all personnel of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery: (1) are periodically given an explanation of their areas of responsibility in the area of quality assurance; and (2) are advised that any failure to comply with such responsibilities will result in appropriate disciplinary action. Establishes in the VA's Office of the Inspector General the position of Assistant Inspector General for Health Care Quality Assurance Review (the Assistant Inspector), who shall be a qualified doctor of medicine appointed by the Inspector General. Outlines staffing requirements for the Assistant Inspector. Directs the Assistant Inspector to: (1) monitor the establishment and implementation of the health care quality assurance and risk management programs of the Department of Medicine and Surgery (the Department); (2) monitor the activities of the Medical Inspector General of the Department; (3) recommend that the Medical Inspector General conduct such investigations as the Assistant Inspector considers appropriate; (4) coordinate his or her activities with that of the Medical Inspector General; (5) review any investigation conducted by the Medical Inspector General concerning adverse incidents in the provision of health care to veterans and make recommendations for any additional action as considered appropriate; (6) monitor and analyze all information within the Department relating to quality assurance and risk management in order to identify data which still needs to be collected, and monitor the Department's analysis in the trends of health care provision; (7) make recommendations to the the Inspector General for corrective action on health care matters; and (8) monitor the implementation of recommendations for corrective action made to the Administrator by the Inspector General on health care matters. Directs the Inspector General of the VA, no later than February 1 annually, to submit to the Administrator and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees a report containing a discussion of the activities undertaken by the Assistant Inspector during the preceding fiscal year in the areas of monitoring, review, investigations, and recommendations on the implementation of quality assurance and risk management in the area of veterans' health care. Title III: Readjustment Counseling - Postpones for one year the period for transition from the provision of veterans' readjustment counseling in facilities located primarily separate from VA health care facilities to the provision of such services primarily through VA facilities. Directs the Administrator, for administrative workload management purposes, to obtain from each veteran receiving readjustment counseling services such veteran's social security number.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Title I: Indian Education - Indian Education Amendments Act of 1987 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1978 to authorize funding for each school or dormitory which: (1) was a Bureau funded school on January 1, 1987, including schools, dormitories, grade levels or other programs operating or authorized on that date; or (2) becomes a Bureau funded school after January 1, 1987. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from terminating, transferring, contracting to any other entity, consolidating, or substantially curtailing a Bureau funded school, except as provided by a provision of law or as requested by resolution of a tribal governing body representing 90 percent or more of the school's students. Directs the Secretary to report any action against a Bureau funded school that is under consideration to the affected tribal governing body and the local school board. Directs the Secretary to provide that those bodies are: (1) kept informed during consideration; (2) afforded opportunities to comment; and (3) notified at least six months before the end of the school year preceding the proposed effective date if a decision is made to take the action. Authorizes the Secretary to take a temporary action if it is: (1) required by an immediate hazard to the health or safety of the school's students; (2) confirmed by an inspector designated by a tribal governing body; and (3) limited to the shortest possible period. Allows an extension of the temporary period if approved by a tribal governing body representing 90 percent of the school's students. Directs the Assistant Secretary to prescribe regulations governing the expansion of programs at Bureau funded schools and providing for the eligibility determination to be based on geographic and demographic factors and the history of: (1) the school proposing the expanded program; and (2) the public schools or alternate providers of the services which the school proposes to provide. Expands the Bureau funded schools at the Pueblo of Zia and the Tama Settlement to include kindergarten through grade eight. Allows the waiver of dormitory criteria in the same manner as the waiver of minimum academic standards. Prohibits the closing, consolidation, or substantial curtailment of Bureau schools because they do not meet established applicable standards. Requires the Assistant Secretary to submit a report to the Congress detailing the actions needed to comply with applicable standards. Provides that the regulations on Federal schools for Indians, Indian education policies, transfer of Indian education functions, the Indian school equalization program, students' rights, and control of student records in Bureau schools shall remain in effect after passage of this Act, and can be changed only as provided in a law passed after this Act. Allows the Secretary to waive a provision of the regulations for the benefit of an Indian if the waiver is: (1) not contrary to another law; and (2) complies with the Secretary's reserved authority to waive his regulations. Deletes the provision requiring an individual to have one-fourth or more degree of Indian blood as a condition for receiving Indian education funds and removes loans as a type of assistance available. Requires that beginning with FY 1989 the Secretary shall modify the formula for minimum annual funds for each school by: (1) using a weighted student unit of 1.2 for students in the seventh and eighth grades; (2) considering a school with an average daily attendance of less than 50 students as having an average daily attendance of 50 students for implementing the small school adjustment factor; and (3) allowing residential services on a less than nine-month basis. Requires the Secretary to give each Bureau funded school an administrative cost allowance. Defines such allowance to mean the amount provided for specified financial and management services. Revises the authority of supervisors of Bureau schools to expend up to $25,000 without competitive bidding. Allows such spending if: (1) the cost of any single item does not exceed $10,000; (2) the school board approves the procurement in advance; (3) the supervisor certifies the cost is fair and reasonable; (4) procurement documents cite this authority; and (5) the transaction is documented in a journal. Authorizes tribes whose children are served by a Bureau school to enter into a cooperative agreement with a local education agency involving coordination of the academic program, support services, and transportation. Amends the policy of facilitating Indian control of education to include the Secretary in addition to the Bureau. Requires the Secretary, before changing any policy or regulation relating to education programs or support services, to consult with the tribe and also to hold meetings in various localities around the United States Requires the Secretary to publish a notice of each meeting in the Federal Register and send it to school boards and local parent committees in the Bureau's geographic administrative area where the meeting will occur. Requires the Secretary to assure that each meeting includes information on: (1) Indian education related budget or policy proposals; and (2) regulatory, procedural, or administrative changes which will be made or which may be considered in the six months following the meeting. Directs the Secretary to report any violation of this section to the Congress. Requires that the Secretary's annual report to congressional committees to include information about compliance with the policy for Indian control of Indian education, the recommendations received from Indian organizations, and the Secretary's reasons for not carrying out such recommendations. Allows the waiver of applicability of Indian preference laws to apply to applicants in addition to employees. Directs the Assistant Secretary to conduct studies for a report to Congress comparing compensation in Bureau schools with the nearest public schools, with detailed information on: (1) the current salaries and personnel benefits; (2) a comparison of starting salaries, tenure, length of service, education requirements, length of work year and fringe benefits; and (3) a projection of compensation figures for compensation in Bureau and public schools over the next five years. Provides that the cost of the studies and the report will be paid from appropriations for the Bureau's Management and Administration Subactivity of the General Administration Activity. Requires the Assistant Secretary to conduct studies of compensation in Bureau schools. Authorizes contracts with Indian education organizations for completing such studies. Permits the Assistant Secretary to authorize post differentials unless the disparity in compensation between Bureau schools and public schools does not meet a specified level. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary or the supervisor of a school to discontinue or decrease a post differential if: (1) the local school board requests such action; or (2) the Assistant Secretary or supervisor determines no disparity affecting recruitment exists. Requires the Assistant Secretary to report to the Congress annually on the requests and grants of authority for post differentials. Makes the Indian preference provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act applicable to any position within the Office of Indian Education or the Department of Education administering the Indian Education Act of 1972. Title II: Self Determination Grants - Indian Schools Operations Agreements Act of 1987 - Declares the Congress' commitment to maintain the Government's trust relationship with the Indian people. Affirms that the educational needs of the Indian people can best be met through a grant process. Repudiates the unilateral termination of Federal relations with any Indian nation. Provides that grants will go into a general operating fund to pay expenses for educational purposes but not for religious or sectarian instruction. Prohibits administrative costs from exceeding the amount which the Secretary would expend if the Secretary operated the school. Requires grantees which operate more than one school site to expend at least 95 percent of the funds provided for a particular school at that location. Requires a tribally controlled school, to be eligible for grants, to have: (1) received funds under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act on the date of enactment of this Act; (2) received a determination of eligibility from the Secretary and been operated by the Bureau on the date of enactment of this Act; or (3) complied with the requirements of an eligibility study and not have previously received Bureau funds. Provides that any application submitted for a school not in operation on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be reviewed under the guidelines in effect at the time of submission. Requires the Secretary, after receiving an application for a grant, to make an initial determination of whether the applicant can maintain a tribally controlled school and to award a grant unless he finds the services provided will be harmful to the Indian beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary, after receiving a request by an Indian tribe for a grant for a tribally controlled school not previously funded by the Bureau, to conduct an eligibility study. Sets forth criteria for the Secretary to make grants, including demographic and geographic factors. Directs the Secretary, if he declines to issue or modify a grant under this title, to: (1) give the tribe a written explanation; (2) provide assistance to overcome all stated objections; and (3) give the tribe a hearing. Requires an application for expansion of the grade levels offered or modifications to initiate residential services by eligible tribally controlled schools, but not for expansion or a change of services or programs within grade levels. Requires the Secretary, if he rejects a proposed expansion, to provide the same assistance as required for declining to modify or issue a grant. Requires the Bureau to submit an annual report to the Congress on all applications received and actions taken. Requires tribally controlled schools meeting at least one of the criteria for eligibility or which have a positive determination of eligibility to receive a grant. Provides that eligibility determinations will only be made for the initial grant and an extension will be automatic. Defines satisfactory performance as the submission of one of a list of specified reports and one of the following: (1) certification by a State or regional accrediting association; (2) accreditation by a Tribal Division of Education; (3) acceptance of specified standards under the Education Amendments of 1978; and (4) a positive evaluation conducted once every three years for performance under specified standards. Provides that grants will not terminate, modify, suspend, or reduce the Federal responsibility to provide such a program. Requires the Secretary, before making a determination of a lack of satisfactory performance or reassuming a program, to provide notice to the tribal authority authorizing the school. Sets forth minimum levels for grants to be made to each tribally controlled school for each fiscal year. Provides that grantees will not be held accountable for interest earned on grant funds. Requires that provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act relating to reporting and audit requirements, criminal activities involving grants, wage and labor standards and preference requirements for grants, personnel policies, rescission of contract authority, and sovereign immunity, except for indirect costs and length of contract, will apply equally to grants under this title. Requires the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs to review and approve applications for grants and modifications. Title III: Other Programs of Indian Education - Amends the Indian Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act to extend the authorization for appropriations for grants to local educational agencies through FY 1993. Amends the Indian Education Act to authorize appropriations for grants to students through FY 1993. Deletes the provision limiting the authorization of appropriations for FY 1987 to FY 1989 to the same level as FY 1986. Extends the authorization for fellowships for Indian students through FY 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and the following four fiscal years. Continues the National Advisory Council on Indian Education through FY 1993. Revises the definition of the term "Indian" for purposes of such Act to include tribal "members" as defined by the tribe. Requires the Secretary of Education to establish American Indian Gifted and Talented Centers located at Sinte Gleska College and the Navajo Community College and to make grants to such colleges and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium for demonstration projects. Provides that the demonstration projects may include: (1) identifying the needs of gifted and talented students; (2) conducting educational activities to meet the needs of such children; (3) using public television; (4) developing leadership programs capable of replication throughout the United States; and (5) conducting research on the needs of such children and their families. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through FY 1993. Title IV: Navajo Community College - Amends the Navajo Community College Act authorization of appropriations to include funds for: (1) maintenance and operation; (2) capital improvements; (3) mandatory payments; and (4) supplemental student services. Increases the amount that may be granted to the Navajo Community College per Indian student. Limits grants to the greater (was the lesser) of: (1) the amount determined based on the total number of students; or (2) the total annual cost of the college's education program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Designates October 15, 1987, as National Safety Belt Use Day. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people to wear safety belts and have their children use child safety seats, and encouraging public safety and law enforcement agencies to promote these devices.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Declares that the Congress strongly urges that the Free Trade Area Agreement being negotiated by the United States and Canada not contain any changes in the maritime policy and laws of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Prohibits any U.S. assistance for Panama unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Government of Panama has demonstrated substantial progress in efforts to assure civilian control of the armed forces and that the Panama Defense Forces and its leaders have been removed from nonmilitary activities and institutions; (2) the Government of Panama has established an independent investigation into allegations of illegal actions by members of the Panama Defense Forces; (3) a nonmilitary transitional government is in power in Panama; and (4) freedom of the press and all other constitutional guarantees to the Panamanian people are restored. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) assistance provided through private and voluntary organizations; (2) the donation of food or medicine; (3) disaster relief assistance; (4) refugee assistance; (5) assistance under the Inter-American Foundation Act; and (6) educational assistance for Panamanians in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Honors the late Portuguese diplomat, Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches, for his extraordinary acts of mercy and justice during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1987
Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to extend for a third one-year period waivers of State eligibility requirements to enable a State to qualify for child abuse and neglect assistance if the Secretary of Health and Human Services makes an additional finding that such State is making substantial progress to achieve compliance with such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1987
Prohibits a fish processing vessel from operating in the waters of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) unless: (1) the controlling interest in the vessel is owned by a U.S. entity; (2) the vessel has been used continuously as a fish processing vessel in the EEZ from January 1, 1987, to the date of enactment of this Act and the controlling interest in the vessel was held and continues to be held by the same entity from January 1, 1987; or (3) the vessel was purchased by a U.S. entity, for use as a fish processing vessel in the EEZ, under a financing agreement in effect on January 1, 1987. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and review the effectiveness of this Act in reducing the number of non-U.S. fish processing vessels in the EEZ and report the results, with recommendations, to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1987
Recognizes the contributions of Rachel Carson to public awareness and understanding of environmental issues on the 25th anniversary of her book, "Silent Spring."
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1987
Expresses the Senate's profound sorrow and regret at the death of Secretary of Commerce Howard Malcolm Baldrige, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1987
Persian Gulf Shipping Act of 1987 - Requires the President to terminate the reregistration under the United States flag of any vessel which had been owned as of June 1, 1987, by the government of any country bordering the Persian Gulf or by any national of such country. Allows the President to reregister such vessels if, within a specified time, the President determines and certifies to the Congress that the exercise of such authority for an additional period of time is vital to the national security interests of the United States and if the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing such actions. Sets forth special rules for the consideration of such a joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1987
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses its full support for General John Vessey in negotiations with Vietnam to determine the fate of Americans missing in action in Southeast Asia, to facilitate the return of the remains of those deceased missing in action, and to discuss humanitarian issues; and (2) calls on Vietnam to respond positively to the concerns of the American people in a humanitarian context.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Family Security Act of 1987 - Replaces the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act) program with the Child Support Supplement (CSS) program. Title I: Child Support and Establishment of Paternity - Subtitle A: Child Support - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order. Waives such withholding requirement when both parents agree to an alternative arrangement or the State finds good cause to rely on an alternative arrangement. Amends part A of title IV of the Act to exclude the first $50 of child support payments which were due for a prior month from the determination of a family's need for CSS payments in the month during which such payments were received. Amends part D of title IV of the Act to require States to review State guidelines for child support award amounts at least once every five years. Makes such guidelines binding upon judges or other State officials unless the judge or official, pursuant to criteria established by the State, finds good cause to ignore such guidelines. Requires that child support awards established under such guidelines be reviewed at least once every two years. Requires the review of a child support award which was not established under such guidelines to adjust it in accordance with such guidelines if either parent requests such review and the State determines that the award should be reviewed. Gives parents at least 30 days notice of pending review or adjustment of a child support award. Subtitle B: Establishment of Paternity - Establishes State performance standards for the establishment of paternity which require the State's paternity establishment percentage for a fiscal year to be: (1) at least 50 percent; (2) the State's percentage for FY 1987 increased by three percentage points for each fiscal year after FY 1988; or (3) equal to or greater than the average percentage for all States. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify such requirements to take into account variables which may affect a State's ability to meet such requirements. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the data upon which State paternity establishment percentages are based and the performance of States in establishing paternity. Raises the Federal matching rate to 90 percent (from 68 percent in FY 1988) for laboratory costs incurred in determining paternity. Subtitle C: Improved Procedures for Child Support Enforcement and Establishment of Paternity - Requires the Secretary to establish time limits within which a State must accept and respond to requests for assistance in establishing and enforcing child support orders. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee, composed of State officials involved in the Child Support Enforcement program, with which the Secretary must consult before issuing regulations regarding such time limits. Requires the issuance of final regulations by the first day of the seventh month after this Act's enactment. Requires States to establish automatic data processing and information retrieval systems to assist in the administration of the Child Support Enforcement program within ten years of the State's submittal (by October 1, 1989) of an advance planning document for such system to the Secretary, or, if earlier, by the date specified by the State in such document. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the Act's requirements for such documents and systems if the State has an alternative system which is in substantial compliance with the Act's requirements. Sets the Federal share of establishing such a system at 90 percent so long as time limits have not been exceeded. Directs the Secretary of Labor to give the Secretary prompt access to wage and unemployment compensation claims information and data maintained by the Department of Labor and State employment security agencies. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act to require States to collect the social security numbers of both parents when their child is born for use by State agencies administering Child Support Enforcement programs unless the State finds good cause for not requiring such numbers. Establishes the Commission on Interstate Child Support which, by October 1, 1988, must hold one or more national conferences on reform of interstate child support procedures. Directs the Commission to submit a report to the Congress by October 1, 1989, containing recommendations for improving the interstate establishment and enforcement of child support and for revising the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. Terminates the Commission on October 2, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for such Commission. Title II: Joint Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to require States to establish, within three years of this Act's enactment, a job opportunities and basic skills training program (Program) which helps needy children and parents avoid long-term welfare dependence. Requires private sector involvement in planning and Program design to assure that participants are trained for jobs that will actually be available in the community. Requires non-exempt CSS recipients to participate in such Program if State resources permit such level of participation and necessary child care is available to participants. Allows exempt CSS recipients to participate on a voluntary basis. Authorizes States to require or allow absent fathers who are unemployed and unable to meet child support obligations to participate in the Program. Exempts from Program participation an individual who: (1) is ill, incapacitated, or of advanced age; (2) is needed in the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the household; (3) is a parent or relative of a child under age three or, at the State's option, less than age three but not less than age one (such exception applies to only one parent in a two-parent family and may be made inapplicable to both parents if the State provides the family with child care); (4) works more than 30 hours or more per week; (5) is a child under age 16 or attending elementary, secondary, or vocational school full time; (6) is a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy; or (7) resides in an area of the State where the Program is not available. Prohibits the requirement that the parent or a relative of a child under age six who is not the principal earner participate in the Program for more than 24 hours a week. Provides that if an individual is attending a school or a course of vocational or technical training designed to lead to employment when he or she would otherwise commence participation in the Program, such attendance may constitute satisfactory participation in the Program, though the costs of such schooling or training shall not be covered by the CSS program. Requires States to make an initial assessment of the education and employment skills of each Program participant and on that basis develop an employability plan for each participant which, to the maximum extent possible, reflects the participant's preferences. Authorizes the State to: (1) require each participant to then negotiate a contract with the State which specifies the duration of his or her participation as well as the activities the State will conduct and services it will provide in the course of such participation; and (2) assign to each participating family a case manager who is responsible for obtaining, on the family's behalf, any other services which may assure the family's effective participation. Requires State Programs to provide a broad range of services and activities, including: (1) high school or equivalent education; (2) remedial education to achieve basic literacy and instruction in English as a second language; (3) post-secondary education as appropriate; (4) work supplementation programs; (5) community work experience programs; (6) job search, training, and placement services; and (7) other employment, education, and training activities as determined by the State and allowed by the Secretary. Requires non-exempt custodial parents who have not attained age 22 or successfully completed a high school education to participate in high school or equivalent education, or literacy or English language education. Authorizes States to require such parents to participate in training or work activities if they fail to make good progress in educational activities or if their participation in such activities is inappropriate. Requires each work assignment to be consistent with the physical capacity, skills, experience, health, family responsibilities, and place of residence of each participant and not involve unreasonable travel. Gives participants the opportunity for a fair hearing in the event of a dispute involving his or her work assignment. Prohibits: (1) wage rates for work assignments from being set at less than the greater of the Federal or State minimum wage; and (2) work assignments which displace a currently employed worker or position, impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements, or fill the job of a worker who has been laid off or fired. Prohibits States from requiring participants to accept a job which would result in a loss of income to the participant's family unless the State maintains the family's income level through supplementary payments. Requires that Program activities be coordinated with Job Training Partnership Act programs and any other relevant employment, training, and education programs available in the State. Authorizes any State to institute a work supplementation program under which such State reserves sums which would otherwise be payable to program participants as child support supplements and uses such sums instead to subsidize jobs for such participants. Authorizes any State to establish a community work experience program to provide experience and training for individuals not otherwise able to obtain employment. Limits such programs to projects which serve a useful public purpose, utilizing, if possible, the participant's prior training, experience, and skills. Requires that other Program activities be coordinated with the community work program so that job placement has priority over participation in such program. Authorizes States to require individuals to participate in job search activities for up to eight weeks after applying for child support supplements and for up to eight weeks in any 12-month period thereafter. Subjects the families of individuals who are required to participate in the Program and fail to do so without good cause to the reduction or elimination of child support supplements. Continues sanctions for a minimum of three months if such individual failed to participate on a previous occasion and for six months if such noncompliance has occurred more than one time previously. Requires the State to notify recipients of any failure to comply with work or training requirements and the actions which must be taken to terminate the sanction. Sets the Federal matching rate for Program costs at 90 percent up to a specified dollar amount and 60 percent thereafter. Sets such rate for administrative costs (for needs assessments, case management services, and agency-client contracts) at 50 percent. Reduces the rate of Federal reimbursement for non-administrative Program expenditures to 50 percent if: (1) more than 40 percent of the non-Federal share of such expenditures is contributed in-kind; or (2) less than 60 percent of such expenditures is targeted at individuals who have received child support supplements for 30 of the preceding 60 months, are custodial parents under age 22 who have not completed and are not enrolled in high school, or are parents in families that are eligible for supplements by reason of the unemployment of the principal earner. Requires States to provide child care (or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the home of a dependent child) for families to the extent that it is necessary to an individual's participation in work, education, and training activities. Provides coverage for certain transportation and other work-related expenses. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish final Program regulations within one year of this Act's enactment; (2) submit recommended Program performance standards to the Congress within five years of this Act's enactment; (3) study State implementation of the Program; and (4) select five States to participate in three-year demonstration projects to study the relative cost-effectiveness of different approaches for assisting long-term CSS recipients under the Program. Sets forth cost-effectiveness study reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the State implementation study for FY 1988 through 1990 and for the cost-effectiveness study for FY 1988 through 1992. Title III: Transitional Assistance for Families After Loss of CSS Eligibility - Provides a family which loses CSS eligibility due to an increase of earned income with nine months of transitional child care if the State determines such assistance to be necessary for continuing employment and the family has received child support supplements for three of the preceding six months. Terminates transitional child care if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engages in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Requires families to contribute to the costs of such care on the basis of their ability to pay for such care. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to require a State to continue a family's Medicaid eligibility for four months after the family loses CSS eligibility because of increased earnings if the family has received supplement payments for three of the preceding six months, and for an optional five additional months if the family has received the entire four months of extended Medicaid coverage. Terminates extended Medicaid coverage if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engaged in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Authorizes States to provide the extended Medicaid coverage by paying a family's expenses for health insurance offered by the caretaker relative's employer (or, if more cost-effective, by the absent parent's employer) or a family's expenses, during the five-month extension period, for enrollment in a group health plan offered to the caretaker relative, a group health plan offered by the State to its employees, or a health maintenance organization. Denies a family the five-month extension period if its earnings exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires States to impose a premium on families receiving the five months of extended coverage, but prohibits its exceeding ten percent of the amount by which a family's monthly earnings exceed $581 (as adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living). Title IV: Family Living Arrangements - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to condition an unmarried minor parent's receipt of CSS payments on his or her residence with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. Makes such requirement inapplicable if: (1) such individual has no living parent or legal guardian or is not allowed to live with such parent or legal guardian; (2) the health and safety of the child or minor parent would be jeopardized if such individual lived with the parent or legal guardian; (3) such individual has not lived at home for at least one year prior to the child's birth or making a claim for CSS payments; or (4) the State otherwise finds good cause for waiving the requirement. Requires that (where possible) CSS payments be made to the parent or legal guardian on behalf of the minor parent and child. Authorizes States to require minor parents who have not graduated from high school to attend school (and parent-training classes when available) on at least a part-time basis as a condition of their receipt of CSS payments. Alters the definition of a "dependent child" to include a child who is poor because of the unemployment of the principal earner in the family. Authorizes States to increase the number of hours which an individual who received a CSS payment in the preceding month may work and remain eligible for such payments. (Currently, an individual must work less than 100 hours per month to maintain such eligibility.) Authorizes States to count for up to four of the six quarters of work required of a parent in the 13 quarters preceding application for CSS payments such parent's: (1) full-time attendance as an elementary or secondary school student; (2) full-time attendance in a vocational or technical training course; and (3) participation in a Job Training Partnership Act education or training program. Title V: Benefit Structure Improvements - Requires each State to make scheduled reevaluations of its need and payment standards for CSS benefits at least once every five years and report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the results of the reevaluations. Title VI: Demonstration Projects - Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as alternatives to the CSS program, five-year demonstration projects testing: (1) New York State's Child Support Supplement Program; and (2) Washington State's Family Independence Program. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with four States, by April 1, 1988, for the conduct of two-year demonstration projects testing and evaluating model procedures for reviewing child support award amounts. Provides Federal coverage for 90 percent of the costs of such projects. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such projects to the Congress within six months after completion of all such projects. Amends part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a program providing grants to States selected to conduct demonstration projects testing whether CSS housing costs can be reduced by constructing and rehabilitating permanent housing for rental to CSS recipients who would otherwise require CSS emergency assistance in the form of temporary housing. Provides that, to be eligible for selection as one of two States authorized to conduct such a project, a State must: (1) be currently providing CSS emergency housing assistance; (2) have an acute need for Federal assistance by virtue of the large number of homeless CSS families, and shortages of low-income housing, in the jurisdiction(s) where such project would be conducted; and (3) submit a plan to achieve significant cost savings over a ten-year period through the conduct of such project. Requires that such grants be used to provide permanent housing which is: (1) owned by the State, an instrumentality of the State, or a nonprofit organization; (2) available to families who have been unable to find decent housing at rents that can be paid with CSS aid for shelter; and (3) located in jurisdictions experiencing a critical shortage of such housing. Requires that: (1) the most costly temporary housing be retired from use in the emergency assistance program as permanent housing becomes available for occupancy, unless temporary housing is demonstrably needed; and (2) the costs of providing permanent housing be lower than costs which would be incurred if, instead, the State made CSS emergency assistance payments providing temporary housing. Sets the State contribution to the cost of constructing or rehabilitating such housing at at least the current State CSS share increased by ten percent. Authorizes appropriations for the grant program for each of the first five fiscal years following FY 1987. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to States for one- to five-year demonstration projects for CSS children testing financial incentives and alternative approaches to reducing school dropouts, encouraging skill development, and avoiding welfare dependence. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for demonstration projects designed to increase compliance with child access provisions of court orders. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of such projects by July 1990. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for three-year demonstration projects testing innovative methods for providing suitable foster care arrangements and other necessary social and medical services for infants abandoned by their parents or removed from their parents' custody and placed in a hospital's care. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to make grants to between five and ten States for three-year demonstration projects increasing the availability of child care in communities by the acquisition or renovation of child care facilities, and the provision of child care transportation services. Favors States that propose to conduct the project primarily in communities having fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding such projects by October 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to up to five States for demonstration projects testing whether the employment of parents of dependent children receiving child support supplements as day care providers will facilitate the conduct of the Program and afford a significant number of families a realistic opportunity to avoid welfare dependence. Title VII: Payments to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to include American Samoa in the CSS program. Limits Federal funding for American Samoa's program to $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Increases the total amount of Federal payments which may be made to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands in any fiscal year under titles I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for the Aged), X (Grants to States for Aid to the Blind), XIV (Grants to States for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled), and parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Act. Title VIII: Waiver Authority - Amends title IV of the Act to add a new "Part F: Waiver Authority," which sets forth the required content of State applications to the Secretary for the approval of demonstration projects experimenting with methods to more effectively assist the poor and reduce their welfare dependence. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the conduct of more than ten projects under part F at any one time. Permits applications to include within their proposed projects: (1) title IV programs; (2) social service block grants under title XX of the Act; and (3) any non-Federal public program within the State which is designed to alleviate poverty. Protects individuals and families included in a project from having their benefits reduced below what they would have been in the absence of the project. Requires State applications for projects involving work, education, or training activities to contain specified assurances, including assurances that: (1) mandatory participants in such activities be provided with child care; and (2) work assignments will not displace current employees or impair existing contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Prohibits the Federal share of project funding from being greater than the Federal share in the absence of such project under the programs included in the project. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects replacing current entitlement programs with new entitlement programs provided such replacement does not cause a large increase or decrease in Federal funding. Requires the Secretary to notify a State of the approval or disapproval of its project within four months of the submission of the application. Sets forth reporting requirements. Provides that such projects shall terminate after five years unless the State Governor or Secretary terminates the project sooner. Title IX: Technical and Conforming Amendments Relating to Replacement of AFDC Program by Child Support Supplement Program - Sets forth technical and conforming amendments relating to the replacement of the AFDC Program by the CSS program. Title X: Reorganization and Redesignation of Title IV; General Conforming Amendment Relating to Such Reorganization and Redesignation - Reorganizes and redesignates the parts of title IV of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1987
Amends Federal provisions relating to veterans' medical care to authorize the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to assist in providing recreational activities which would further the rehabilitation of disabled veterans if: (1) such activities are available to disabled veterans on a national basis; and (2) a significant percentage of participating individuals are eligible for veterans' rehabilitative services. Authorizes the Administrator to accept contributions from organizations for the support of such national recreational activities, and to allow such supporting organizations to advertise the activity or their participation therein if: (1) the Administrator has approved such advertisement; and (2) such advertisement makes it clear that any product or commercial line of such organization has not been endorsed by the Veterans Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the prohibition against indirect income tax deductions through pass-through entities shall not apply to any regulated investment company whose shares are: (1) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering; (2) regularly traded on an established securities market; or (3) held by or for at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1987
Department of Energy National Laboratory Cooperative Research Initiatives Act - Amends the Federal Non-Nuclear and Energy Research and Development Act of 1984 to add this Act as a new title. Title I: Establishment of United States Industry and Department of Energy Laboratory Centers for Research on Enabling Technologies for High-Temperature Superconducting Applications - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to form the Council for Research on Enabling Technologies to set research goal and strategies regarding critical enabling technologies in high-temperature superconductors, and to set guidelines for the release of technical findings and developments made by cooperative research centers (established by this Act). Mandates that such centers research enabling technologies for superconducting materials and applications at National Laboratories with appropriate university and private industry participants. Directs the Secretary to seek cost sharing with participating private industries in the establishment of such centers. Title II: Mapping the Human Genome - Establishes within the Department of Energy the National Policy Board on the Human Genome to coordinate various government research activities regarding the mapping of the human genome. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish the Human Genome Consortium comprised of industry, university, and government agencies to disseminate among the domestic companies the knowledge and intellectual property resulting from cooperative research. Sets forth research objectives. Title III: Semiconductor Technology Manufacturing Excellence Initiative - Directs the Secretary of Defense to initiate and implement a semiconductor manufacturing research program (the Initiative) regarding the practical implications of such technology. Directs the Secretary of Defense to coordinate such implementation with the Secretary of Energy and Department of Energy national laboratories, and other specified bodies. Directs the Secretary of Energy to make semiconductor technology research a line item in the Department of Energy's research and development budget for inclusion in the annual budget submitted to the Congress by the President. Sets forth guidelines for cooperative research and development agreements at national laboratories of the Department of Energy. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an advisory committee regarding the most effective use of national laboratories' facilities and personnel. Sets forth such advisory committee's membership and administration. Declares that not more than 50 percent of the cost of the Semiconductor Research Initiative may be paid for with Federal funds. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy for FY 1988 through 1990 for such Initiative. Title IV: Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish six regional Institutes for Entrepreneurial Studies at six universities (each associated with a National Laboratory) to conduct work-study programs. Prescribes guidelines for university selection, the Institutes' Governing Board, and the work-study program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Irving Berlin be recognized for his musical accomplishments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1987
Declares that the Congress encourages all Americans to read the Constitution within one year of its 200th anniversary and strongly encourages Members of Congress, Federal judges, and officials of the executive branch to set the example in studying this cornerstone of democratic government.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1987
Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to authorize a civil action to be brought on behalf of the Social Security Administration against anyone who uses the words "Social Security" or "Social Security Administration" in trade or commerce in a manner which: (1) falsely represents an association with, or authorization by the Social Security Administration; (2) tends to cause confusion or mistake; or (3) tends to deceive.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1987
Designates the week beginning on November 8, 1987, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1987
Expresses the Senate's profound sorrow and regret at the death of economist Arthur F. Burns.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Veterans' Beneficiary Travel Reimbursement Restoration Act of 1987 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions relating to the payment of travel expenses for veterans traveling to a Veterans Administration (VA) health care center for treatment to direct the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, in exercising the authority to make such payments, to make such payments to the following persons: (1) a person receiving veterans' benefits for or in connection with a service-connected disability; (2) a veteran receiving veterans' pension benefits; (3) a veteran whose annual income does not exceed the annual veterans' pension rate or who is unable to defray the expenses of such travel; (4) a person whose travel to a VA facility was incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination; and (5) a veteran whose travel to a VA facility was required to be performed by a special mode of travel which was either authorized beforehand by the Administrator, or was in connection with a medical emergency. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct from the amount otherwise payable an amount equal to $3.75 for each trip to or from a VA facility. Provides a maximum amount authorized to be so deducted from the reimbursed expenses of veterans making six or more one-way trips during the following calendar month or months. Authorizes the Administrator to increase proportionately the amount permitted to be deducted whenever the amount of the reimbursement itself is increased. Directs the Administrator, with respect to any fiscal year in which he or she exercises the authority to make such payments, to make an allocation to each VA facility, before October 1 of each year, to enable the head of such facility to make such payments to veterans using such facility and authorized to receive such payments. Directs the head of each such facility to use such funds solely for such payments. Directs the Chief Medical Director of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery, when it is determined that insufficient payments have been made at any such facility, to authorize payments to be made for the proper amounts, unless the Chief Medical Director determines that making such payments at such lesser level would be in the best interests of furnishing care and services to eligible veterans at such facility. Permits any funds authorized for the making of such payments, but unexpended, to be used by the head of any such facility for support of other authorized direct-health care purposes. Directs the Administrator to take all appropriate steps to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a program under which organizations or individuals who are volunteering their services to the VA would take responsibility for the transportation of such veterans, without reimbursement from the VA, primarily those residing in those areas which are geographically accessible to such facilities, who seek services or benefits from such VA facilities. Directs the Administrator, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committee on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to establish a presumption of service-connection (for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits) for former prisoners of war suffering from the following conditions after active service: (1) peripheral neuropathy; (2) spastic colon; and (3) peptic or duodenal ulcers. Decreases from six months to 90 days the amount of time a former prisoner of war must have been incarcerated in order to be eligible for outpatient dental services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1987
Major Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to make eligible for assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, and replacement of damaged facilities special purpose local governments such as levee districts, irrigation districts, and reclamation districts. Declares that the Federal share of such assistance shall not be less than 75 percent (currently, such assistance must not exceed 100 percent). Requires the President to issue rules which provide for the recognition of differences existing among urban, suburban, and rural lands to facilitate adequate removal of debris and wreckage from large lots. Declares the Federal share of assistance for debris removal to be 75 percent. Provides for temporary housing assistance for up to 18 months after the date of a major disaster. Authorizes the President to extend such period for an additional 18 months due to extraordinary circumstances. Declares the Federal share of such assistance to be 100 percent of eligible costs. Provides that temporary housing assistance may not be used for reconstruction or rehabilitation of damaged property when the cost of such assistance exceeds the cost of other applicable types of housing. Sets forth notification requirements for the President when persons apply for temporary housing assistance, including: (1) all forms of assistance available; (2) criteria that must be met to qualify for each type of assistance; (3) limitations which apply to each type of assistance; and (4) the address and telephone number of offices responsible for assisting applicants. Requires that housing assistance account for the applicant's location of and travel time to: (1) the applicant's place of business; (2) schools which family members may attend; (3) any home or place of business whose destruction or damage is the result of the major disaster which created the need for assistance; and (4) crops or livestock the applicant tends which provide 25 percent or more of the applicant's annual income. Includes in the individual and family grant program an authorization for the President to make grants to States for land use and construction projects designed to mitigate future major disaster-related loss. Authorizes a State to expend up to ten percent (currently, three percent) of any such grant for administrative expenses. Increases the limitation on such grants for families and individuals from $5,000 to $10,000. Repeals the restriction that crisis counseling be provided only through the National Institute of Mental Health. Removes the authority of the President to make grants to States for the removal of damaged timber from private lands. Provides that appeals arising from assistance decisions must be acted upon within 60 days of the receipt of such appeal. Declares that eligibility for Federal disaster assistance begins on the date: (1) of the occurrence of the disaster; or (2) on which eligible costs are incurred, whichever is earlier. Declares that disaster assistance shall not be restricted to limit assistance to a particular geographic area. Sets forth procedures for State governors to request declarations by the President that a major disaster exists. Requires such request to be based on a finding that effective response to such disaster is beyond the capabilities of the State and local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary. Describes general and essential assistance that the President may provide. Authorizes the President to contribute up to 50 percent of the cost of hazard mitigation measures. Establishes an emergency assistance program. Sets forth procedures for State governors to request the President to declare an emergency. Describes general Federal assistance under such an emergency. Limits the amount of emergency assistance to $5,000,000, which may be exceeded if the President finds it necessary. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the nature and extent of an emergency when such limitation is exceeded. Requires public and private nonprofit facilities in flood hazard areas to maintain flood insurance. Declares that major disaster and emergency assistance shall not be considered income or a resource when determining benefit levels for Federal programs. Requires the President to establish comprehensive standards to be used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal emergency and major disaster response programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Authorizes the Federal Government to recover the cost of assistance from any person whose negligent act or omission, or whose act or omission while engaged in ultrahazardous activity, resulted in an emergency or major disaster. Directs the President to conduct audits and investigations necessary to ensure compliance with this Act. Revises provisions relating to criminal and civil penalties. Increases from $25,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount of grants to States for improvement, maintenance, and updating of State plans. Renames the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 the Major Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Veterans' Administration Medical Inspector General Act of 1987 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits relating to organizational aspects of the Veterans Administration's (VA) Department of Medicine and Surgery (the Department) to establish in the Office of the Chief Medical Director of the Department an Office of Medical Inspector General (the Office). Outlines administrative provisions concerning the composition of medical personnel in the Office. Provides that the Medical Inspector General shall be directly responsible to the Chief Medical Director, and shall review, monitor, and investigate any adverse incident which is experienced by a patient during the course of a patient's care in a VA health-care facility, including any incident that would not normally be considered a natural consequence of the patient's disease or illness and any incident that would carry a recognized need for medical intervention. Authorizes the Medical Inspector General to also review and investigate matters he or she considers necessary to identify problems in the provision of health care to veterans and to propose any corrective measures to such problems to the Chief Medical Director. States that the Medical Inspector General shall have sole discretion in determining whether to investigate any incident involving patient care or to study or review any problem in the provision of health care to veterans. Directs the Medical Inspector General to submit a report, no later than February 1 annually, to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, the Chief Medical Director, and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the activities of the Office under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. Requires the Medical Inspector General to be an ex officio, nonvoting member of all policymaking bodies within the central office of the Department that are concerned with the quality of health care provided in VA facilities or that are concerned with quality assurance in the provision of such care. Prohibits the Medical Inspector General, however, from having any direct responsibilities for quality assurance activites. Directs the Administrator to transfer to the Office such amounts as determined necessary to support five full-time medical doctors and five full-time support personnel in the Office. Outlines administrative provisions concerning such full-time medical personnel of such Office. Requires that, in the Office of the Chief Medical Director, one of the Assistant Chief Medical Directors in such Office shall be a qualified physician trained in or having suitable experience in health-care quality assurance and risk management who shall be responsible to the Chief Medical Director for carrying out responsibilities in such areas. Requires the Chief Medical Director to take such action to ensure that all personnel of the Department: (1) are periodically given an explanation of their quality assurance responsibilities in such Department; and (2) are advised that any failure to comply with quality assurance procedures within the Department will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Veterans' Administration Assistant Inspector General for Health Care Quality Assurance Review Act of 1987 - Establishes in the Veterans Administration's (VA) Office of the Inspector General the position of Assistant Inspector General for Health Care Quality Assurance Review (the Assistant Inspector). Requires the Assistant Inspector to be a qualified doctor of medicine appointed by the Inspector General of the VA. Outlines various duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Inspector, all of which relate to the monitoring, review, and appropriate investigations of incidents involving quality assurance of health care service to veterans and its related functions within the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery (the Department). Directs the Inspector General of the VA, not later than February 1 annually, to submit to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees a report containing: (1) a discussion of the activities, conclusions, and recommendations of the Assistant Inspector concerning corrective action required in the Department relating to the quality of health care provided veterans in such Department; and (2) a discussion of the activities undertaken by the Assistant Inspector to monitor the activities of the Medical Inspector of the VA during the preceding fiscal year, and the Assistant Inspector's findings, conclusions, assessment, and recommendations based on such monitoring of the Medical Inspector, including any possible remedial and disciplinary actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Quality Control Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend the moratorium on the reduction of payments to States for high erroneous payment rates under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act through FY 1988. (Currently, such moratorium is set to expire at the close of June 1988.) Includes payments to States under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act within such moratorium. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to place a moratorium on penalties for high erroneous payment rates under the Food Stamp program through FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Designates the week beginning October 25, 1987, as National Adult Immunization Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States supports the efforts of Koreans to establish fair and free elections and peacefully evolve to a full democratic government; (2) the necessary conditions for achievement of a genuine democracy in South Korea are flexibility and fairness and the renunciation of violence; (3) the necessary conditions for meaningful and free elections include specified internationally recognized human rights standards; (4) the United States recognizes President Chun Doo Hwan's commitment to initiate the first peaceful transition of executive power; (5) a peaceful transfer of power is endangered by inability to agree on timely democratic reforms; (6) the United States calls on all parties in South Korea to resume the search for a peaceful agreement on democratic reform; and (7) the President of the United States should facilitate negotiations among all parties to achieve democracy in South Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Declares that the American people reaffirm their commitment to promoting the development of democracy in all the Americas. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Government of Panama should respond to the points contained in the communique issued on June 17, 1987, by the Panamanian Episcopal Conference; (2) the vital interests of the United States in securing authentic democracy in Panama would be best served by the peaceful establishment of genuine democratic institutions in accordance with the Panamanian constitution; (3) compliance with internationally recognized human rights and the lifting of the suspension of constitutional guarantees are essential preconditions to the restoration of democracy in Panama; (4) an independent investigation into allegations against senior Panamanian civilian and military officials should be conducted by an objective group of Panamanians with authority to publish their findings without delay or fear of reprisal; and (5) the Government of Panama should direct the current commander of the Panama Defense Forces and any other implicated officials to relinquish their duties pending the outcome of the independent investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Polish Permanent Resident Adjustment Act of 1987 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the adjustment of status to permanent resident for certain Polish nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since July 21, 1984. Requires such aliens to apply for status adjustment within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Hazardous Waste Reduction Act - Requires filings of the annual toxic chemical release forms required under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to include a toxic chemical waste reduction and recycling report for each listed toxic chemical for the preceding calendar year. Requires such report to include information on a facility-by-facility basis as to the amounts and disposition of each toxic chemical, including levels of waste reduction and recycling achieved and expected. Requires that toxic chemical waste reduction practices be delineated according to set categories, such as equipment, redesign, and substitution of raw materials. Requires the inclusion of a production index for each toxic chemical waste and a list of techniques used to identify waste reduction opportunities. Provides protection for trade secrets. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a central receiving facility at EPA for the storage and retrieval of waste management program information. Requires the Administrator to collect, coordinate, and consolidate data collection requirements under environmental statutes. Requires all such information to be compiled into a data base organized on an industry-by-industry basis according to Standard Industrial Classifications and on a waste stream basis. Directs the Administrator to establish a Waste Reduction and Recycling Clearinghouse Program to include information on approaches to waste reduction and recycling and information from States receiving grants for technical assistance programs. Requires the Clearinghouse to be actively involved in technology transfer and the development of waste reduction technologies. Requires the Administrator to make matching grants to States for innovative waste reduction programs. Requires such programs to make specific and targeted technical assistance available to businesses as well as for funding experts and research and providing training. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the waste reduction information gathered pursuant to this Act. Requires such report to include a profile of waste reduction levels on an industry-by-industry basis and identify priorities as to industries, pollutants, and research. Establishes the Office of Waste Reduction within EPA to collect waste reduction plans and information from other EPA offices on an industry-by-industry basis, administer the clearinghouse and State grants programs, and carry out other related responsibilities including improving EPA's ability to evaluate multimedia waste management practices and the potential for waste reduction through information collection and retrieval. Authorizes appropriations.