United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Federal Energy Savings Incentives Act of 1991 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to designate additional energy performance goals for each Federal agency for the years 1996 through 2000 so that Federal building energy consumption during FY 2000 is at least 20 percent less than that during FY 1985. Requires the head of each Federal agency (except the Department of Defense) to provide that two-thirds of the portion of its annual fiscal year appropriations which is equal to the energy cost savings the agency realized during such fiscal year shall remain available for obligation through the end of the following fiscal year, without additional authorization or appropriation. Directs the Secretary to permit each agency to participate in gas or electric utility incentive programs for either the management of electricity demand or for energy conservation. Grants the Secretary authority to permit the agencies to accept utility energy incentives to adopt technologies and practices that are cost-effective for the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to adopt a simplified contracting method for shared energy savings contract services that will expedite their use with respect to Federal agencies, and will reduce the Federal administrative effort and cost. Sets forth implementation guidelines. Requires the President to submit to the Congress simultaneously with submission of the budget a statement of the amount of appropriations requested on an individual agency basis for: (1) utility fuel costs; and (2) compliance with specified Federal laws and regulations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
National Institute of Nursing Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to redesignate the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute of Nursing Research. Includes the Institute in the list of national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements to which Iran is a party. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant element in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Expresses regret on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and the deaths of others in the bombing attack in Sriperumbudur. Offers sympathy to the people of India and to the Gandhi family and the families of others who were killed. Reaffirms support for the democratic process in India and condemns this act of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require each eligible institution participating in any program under HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to include a statement of policy regarding the rights of victims of sexual assault, that complies with specified requirements, in its disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics. Requires each institution of higher education to establish and implement a written policy establishing a campus sexual assault victims' bill of rights which provides that specified rights shall be accorded to such victims by all campus officers, administrators, and employees of such institution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Provides that no State or local government shall be obligated to take any action required by Federal law enacted after the enactment of this Act unless all expenses of such government in taking such action are fully funded by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Women's Reproductive Health and Medicine Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations, in addition to other authorizations, for research: (1) through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), on early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer; (2) through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), on the relationship between breast cancer and hormonal forms of birth control; (3) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis and treatment of fibroid tumors in women; (4) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and other disorders associated with endometriosis; (5) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease; and (6) through the NCI, on the relationship between the human papilloma virus and cervical cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Anti-Boycott Passport Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) instruct the U.S. Middle Eastern diplomatic corps to seek an end to the policy of the majority of Arab League nations of rejecting passports of, and denying entrance visas to, persons whose passports or other documents reflect that they have visited Israel; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on the status of efforts to secure an end to such policy. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any passport that is designated for travel only to Israel. Requires the Secretary to cancel existing passports designated for travel only to Israel. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing more than one official or diplomatic passport to any U.S. Government official for purposes of enabling such official to acquiesce in or comply with the Arab League's passport policy concerning persons who have visited Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Provides for the awarding of the Purple Heart to former prisoners of war held captive before April 25, 1962, on the same basis at it may be awarded former prisoners of war captured on or after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Requires, with respect to each military base which is scheduled to be closed or realigned and which is on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, that 75 percent of the remedial action required pursuant to the Act be completed before the base is closed or substantial reduction in operations have occurred, and that all such remedial action be completed within two years after such closure or substantial reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Expedited Consideration of Proposed Rescissions Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require a special message, in the case of budget authority proposed to be rescinded or reserved, to include language amending the law authorizing such programs to allow them to continue to function at the proposed new level of budget authority. Allows the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, one or more special messages proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted not later than three days after the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by a draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Arms Control and Disarmament Amendments Act of 1991 - Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to extend the authorizations of appropriations for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the On-Site Inspection Agency. Authorizes the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to administer oaths and take sworn statements in the course of investigations made pursuant to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1991
Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act of 1991 - Designates specified lands in Alaska as the Arctic Coastal Plain Wilderness and a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Family Caregiver Support Act of 1991 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI entitled "Grants to States for Family Caregiver Support Programs" to establish a program to enable States to furnish services to support informal caregivers of individuals with functional disabilities. Outlines State plan requirements for such caregiver support services, including requirements that: (1) States must support 50 percent of program administration costs; (2) services may not supplant Medicare or Medicaid (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act) or private insurance otherwise available to eligible recipients of services; and (3) persons with incomes exceeding 200 percent of the Federal poverty level must pay on a sliding fee scale established by the State, up to a maximum annual income of $75,000. Caps total annual Federal expenditures at $2,400 per eligible recipient. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the new title.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1991 to extend the phase-in period for State licensed appraisals. Prohibits the Appraisal Subcommittee from establishing a minimum experience requirement in excess of 500 hours as a licensing standard or qualification for State licensed appraisers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Shipbuilding Trade Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require a foreign passenger or cargo vessel in order to enter a U.S. port to have and present to U.S. customs a certification showing that it was: (1) constructed without subsidy benefit; or (2) if a subsidy was provided after a specified date, that the amount has been repaid. Makes it an unlawful act to: (1) present an altered subsidy certification; or (2) enter or fail to leave the United States without such certification. Subjects foreign-made vessels to countervailing duty and antidumping provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Amends the Import Milk Act to require dairy products offered for importation into the United States to meet applicable U.S. domestic standards of quality, residue levels, packaging, and processing facilities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for an imported dairy product in situations where the application of existing domestic standards is not practicable. Prohibits the importation of a dairy product that does not meet such standards. Directs the Secretary to enforce such provisions through random inspections.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Designates September 20, 1991, as National POW/MIA recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag: (1) at all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1991 (Memorial Day), September 20, 1991 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1991 (Veteran's Day); and (2) on, or on the grounds of, the White House, and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, and the Director of the Selective Service Commission on September 20, 1991 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Caregivers Supportive Services Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize supportive services for informal caregivers who assist older individuals in need of long-term care to remain in private residences.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Outreach, Information, and Referral Older Americans Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require outreach and referral programs under the Act to emphasize linking available services to isolated older individuals who are victims of Alzheimer's disease and to their caregivers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Area Agency on Aging Uniform Listing Act of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require area agencies on aging to list their telephone numbers in local telephone directories of service areas under "Area Agency on Aging."
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Older Americans Act Eldercare Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require State and area agencies on aging to support activities and develop resources to provide community-based long-term care services by involving individuals, agencies, organizations, and businesses, and by building coalitions, to mobilize cooperative community efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Older Americans Transportation Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require States to establish advisory bodies to make recommendations for transportation services that affect older individuals. Requires States and local areas agencies on aging to coordinate transportation services provided under the Older Americans Act with other public and special population transportation services. Requires a study and report to the Congress on the manner in which such Act's funds are being spent on transportation for older individuals and the extent to which resources are available under the Act and from other sources to meet the needs of such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Older Americans Guardianship Assistance Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to: (1) require the Ombudsman program for long-term care facilities which investigates and resolves complaints to include protection of the welfare and rights of residents regarding the appointment and activities of guardians and representative payees; (2) allow legal assistance programs to represent wards and low income older individuals who seek to become guardians, if other adequate representation is unavailable in guardianship proceedings; and (3) allow services designed to provide information and training for individuals to become guardians and representative payees of older individuals, including information on alternatives to guardianship.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Preventive Health Services for Older Americans Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include as preventive health services: (1) educational programs on fall prevention; and (2) medication management screening and education to prevent incorrect medication and adverse drug reactions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
White House Conference on Aging Act of 1991 - Requires the President to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1993 to bring together representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, individuals involved in the field of aging, and representatives of the general public to: (1) identify the problems of older individuals; (2) develop recommendations for the coordination of Federal policy with State and local needs; and (3) develop specific and comprehensive recommendations for executive and legislative action for maintaining and improving the well-being of older individuals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Rural Equity for Older Americans Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require that particular attention be given in providing services to older individuals living in rural areas. Requires State formulas for distribution of Older Americans Act funds to include a factor that reflects the cost of providing geographical access to services to older individuals residing in rural areas. Deletes a requirement under such Act that State agencies must spend in rural areas each fiscal year an amount not less than 105 percent of the amount spent in FY 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1991
Long-Term Care Insurance Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to afford Federal consumer protection to purchasers of long-term care insurance policies by requiring that, before such policies may be issued or sold, they must have been either certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as meeting the minimum Federal standards and requirements outlined below or approved by the State commissioner or superintendent of insurance under a regulatory program each State is required to establish that: (1) incorporates such standards and requirements; (2) provides consumers with access to basic information on issuers and policies; and (3) provides for an approval process for proposed premium increases. Outlines Federal standards long-term care insurance policies must meet, including those which mandate that such policies: (1) offer mandatory inflation protection features, nonforfeitable benefits after a certain vesting period should the policy lapse, and limited premium increases; (2) be guaranteed renewable except for nonpayment of premiums or material misrepresentation; (3) use standard language and a uniform format, with certain variations in language permitted; (4) disclose a detailed outline of coverage; (5) allow purchasers 30 days to rescind their purchase of the policy and to have the premium refunded; (6) not condition or limit eligibility for benefits, including non-institutional benefits, except in cases of preexisting conditions; (7) use functional assessment tools for determining home care eligibility; (8) provide a right to appeal denials for home care eligibility; (9) provide a six-month period of contestability after issuance of the policy; (10) prohibit discrimination in cases of individuals with Alzheimer's disease; and (11) provide benefits over a period of at least 12 consecutive months. Regulates the marketing of long-term care insurance policies by establishing prohibitions on certain sales practices, such as high pressure tactics, and on sales to Medicaid beneficiaries and sales of duplicate service benefit policies. Imposes additional requirements on issuers of long-term care insurance policies with respect to: (1) the prompt mailing of new policies after approval; (2) the furnishing of information to policyholders regarding denied claims and to the Secretary and appropriate State officials regarding policies, premiums, lapse, replacement, and rescission rates and denied claims; (3) the obtaining of medical assessments for elderly applicants if the policy is not guaranteed to issue; and (4) the limiting of compensation to agents for the sale of long-term care insurance policies. Sets forth penalties for issuing unapproved or uncertified policies and for violating prohibited sales practices and the requirements imposed on issuers of long-term care insurance policies. Requires reports on functional ability assessment tools and on solvency protections for such issuers. Requires a study to develop a standard measure of value for long-term care insurance policies. Authorizes appropriations to increase funding for long-term care insurance information, counseling, and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
Federal Employees Retirement Incentive Act - Allows certain Federal employees serving in entities undergoing a major reorganization, reduction in force, or transfer of functions to elect to have four years added to their age upon separation, their total creditable service, or a combination thereof (not to exceed four years) for purposes of determining retirement eligibility and benefits under the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems. Amends provisions governing early or immediate retirement for Government employees to consider certain requirements for entitlement to annuities to have been met (with respect to agency reorganization, reduction in force, or transfer of functions conditions) if: (1) at least five percent of the employees within the agency and geographic area involved will be separated; or (2) at least 20 percent of such employees will be subject to an immediate reduction in the rate of basic pay. Waives such minimum percentages under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) with respect to the social security exemption for election officials and election workers employed by State and local governments to increase the allowed remuneration paid to such workers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
World War II Cadet Nurse Civil Service Fairness Act - Includes service of at least one year but less than two years in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II as creditable service for purposes of civil service retirement. (Current law provides for individuals with two or more years of service.) Requires the retirement annuity of an affected individual to be redetermined provided he or she: (1) files an appropriate written application with the Office of Personnel Management within 14 months of enactment of this Act; and (2) makes required deposits to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund with respect to service in the Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover colon cancer preventive screening examinations and an annual physical examination performed by a physician or nurse practitioner if a demonstration project to be conducted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services proves such examinations to be cost-effective or of moderate cost but measurably health-enhancing.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Declares that the Arab League should terminate its boycotts against Israel and that the President should encourage U.S. allies and trading partners to enact laws prohibiting businesses from complying with such boycott and penalizing businesses that do comply.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose civil or criminal penalties upon persons (other than agents of medical facilities or law enforcement officers acting within the scope of official authority) who intentionally prevent other individuals from entering or exiting a medical facility. Permits aggrieved individuals to obtain appropriate relief through civil actions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and encourage the donation of private funds for construction and maintenance; (2) assist and cooperate with the Commission in the selection of the site and design for the memorial; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for: (1) site preparation, design, planning, and associated administrative costs for establishment of the memorial; and (2) construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes the transfer of Federal property to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial. Urges the Government to encourage 50th anniversary commemorations of the U.S. role in World War II. Urges the Smithsonian Institution and other Federal museums to develop commemorative exhibitions to be shared with academic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue and mint such coins in five dollar, one dollar, and half dollar denominations. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Operation Desert Storm Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one dollar and ten dollar coins emblematic of the United States military's participation in Operation Desert Storm. Prescribes guidelines for the sale of such coins, including the solicitation by the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the United Service Organizations of bids for proposals from marketing organizations to implement a coin marketing agreement. Mandates that such agreement not indicate in any manner that any portion of the sales price to the public constitutes a tax deductible contribution. Sets forth a surcharge distribution scheme. Mandates that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of such coins be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the minting and issuing of such coins not result in any net cost to the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Agricultural Extended Retirement Credit Act of 1991 - Extends creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System for periods of service in certain Federal-State cooperative programs which had agricultural or related purposes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer to the Department of Agriculture's Surplus Fund the savings resulting from the expedited retirement of those employees of the Department who have been extended such credit. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any budget authority or outlays saved in any fiscal year by reason of implementation of this Act. Requires the surplus budget authority and outlays transferred to the fund to be: (1) deposited by the Secretary in the Treasury to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement Fund, as a Government contribution; and (2) credited against pay and other personnel costs required to be sequestered under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the Comptroller General to notify the Congress of each instance of noncompliance with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1991 - Title I: Increase in Access to Health Care and Affordable Health Insurance - Subtitle A: Provision of Insurance Through Small Employers - Part I: Small Employer Health Insurance Reforms - Provides for development by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners of model standards regarding requirements under this Act relating to: (1) offering by small employer carriers of MedAccess plans; (2) benefits under such plans; (3) guaranteed issue; (4) initial writing; and (5) premium increases. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adopt those standards or specify alternative standards. Provides for enforcement of the standards through each State. Allows a State to have more stringent standards. Directs the Secretary to enforce the standards in any State which fails to comply with enforcement or reporting requirements (Federal standard State). Amends the Internal Revenue Code tax on a small employer carrier for any failure in a Federal standard State to comply with the standards. Sets the tax at a specified percentage of the amounts received by the carrier for providing any health benefit plan to any small employer in the Federal standard State. Preempts any provision of State law with regard to a small employer health benefit plan that meets requirements of this Act relating to initial writing and premium increases. Requires each small employer carrier to offer a MedAccess Plan, defined as a plan which: (1) is designed to provide only basic hospital, medical, surgical, and preventive benefits so as to make it affordable to small employers as specified in standards under this Act; (2) is guaranteed issue; and (3) meets requirements of this Act relating to initial writing and premium increases. Defines the term, for a health maintenance organization (HMO), as a plan of the type described above, but with benefits consistent with applicable Federal or State requirements for HMOs. Requires each MedAccess plan to accept every small employer in the State that applies for coverage and every full-time employee, with associated family coverage. Provides special rules allowing HMOs to: (1) limit enrollment of employers and employees to the HMO's service area; and (2) deny coverage on the basis of inadequate capacity, provided the denial is applied uniformly without regard to health status, claims experience, or duration of coverage. Sets forth requirements for the initial writing of policies, including prohibiting limiting or excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions under certain circumstances. Limits: (1) variation of index rates between distinct groups of employers (blocks of business) as shown on the records of the carrier; (2) variation of premium rates within a block of business; and (3) transfer of employers among blocks of business. Sets forth rules for establishing blocks of business. Requires: (1) a carrier to fully disclose rating practices; (2) actuarial certification that a carrier is in compliance with these provisions and the rating methods are sound; and (3) registration of carriers with and reporting by carriers to the State insurance commissioner. Allows a carrier to condition issuance or renewal on enrollment of a minimum number or percentage of an employer's employees. Requires such conditions to be imposed uniformly on employers of the same size. Prohibits cancellation or denial of renewal other than for specified reasons, including for: (1) nonpayment of premiums; (2) noncompliance with plan provisions; (3) failure to maintain the required number or percentage of enrollees; or (4) misuse of a provider network provision. Limits premium increases. Prohibits for five years market reentry after a carrier terminates the offering of plans in an area. Provides for development by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners of models for reinsurance mechanisms for individuals and small employers who are enrolled under a small employer plan and for whom a carrier is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan. Requires each State to establish and fund one or more reinsurance mechanisms. Allows a State, in order to assure the financial solvency of the mechanism, to impose charges on any entity, including a self-insured entity, providing employee-related health benefits. Directs the Secretary to establish a mechanism for a State which fails to do so (Federal reinsurance State). Requires the mechanism in a Federal reinsurance State to charge the carrier a premium equal to 500 percent of the premium charged to a reinsured individual or 150 percent of the premium charged a reinsured group. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the providing of any health benefit plan which covers any employee in a Federal reinsurance State. Ties the amount of the tax to the percentage estimated as generating sufficient revenues to carry out the reinsurance. Requires the tax to be paid by the plan provider (the carrier, the HMO, or the administrator of a self-insured plan). Allows each State commissioner of insurance to require each employer health benefit plan, including a self-insured plan, to be registered with that commissioner. Allows the Secretary to impose such a requirement with regard to a Federal reinsurance State. Part II: Requiring Employers to Offer Health Insurance to Employees - Requires each small employer to make available to each full-time employee the option to enroll the employee, and the employee's spouse and dependent children, in a MedAccess plan. Declares that the employer need not make any contribution towards the cost. Considers an employer in compliance if the employer sought coverage but the plan was not made available because an insufficient number or percentage of employees enrolled. Requires each large employer to make available to each full-time employee the option to enroll the employee, and the employee's spouse and dependent children, in a health benefits plan providing for at least the benefits required of a MedAccess plan. Declares that the employer need not make any contribution towards the cost. Defines a large employer as having 26 or more full-time employees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on an employer for failure to offer a health insurance plan. Sets the amount of the tax at a specified amount per employee per year, to a specified maximum. Part III: Definitions - Sets forth definitions of terms as used in this subtitle, including defining a small employer to include certain employers with between three and 26 employees. Subtitle B: Incentives for Managed Care Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on an employer for providing any health plan unless the plan is a cost-controlled plan or a safe harbor plan. Sets the amount of the tax at a specified percentage of the amount paid or incurred by the employer in providing the plan which is not a cost-controlled or safe harbor plan. Defines "cost-controlled health benefit plan" to mean either a managed care plan or a responsible co-payment plan. Defines "safe harbor plan" as a plan under which the average monthly employer contribution does not exceed specified levels for individual and group coverage. Increases the percentage of medical care insurance costs which a self-employed individual is allowed to deduct from income taxes. Removes provisions terminating all health care insurance deductions for self-employed individuals as of a specified date. Allows such deductions only for controlled-cost or safe harbor plans. Preempts and prohibits the enforcement of any State law that restricts: (1) carriers from negotiating reimbursement rates with providers or contracting selectively with one or a limited number of providers; (2) financial incentives a health plan may require a beneficiary to pay for using a non-plan provider on a non-emergency basis; and (3) certain aspects of utilization review. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services and report to the Congress. Declares the provisions superseding State law inapplicable after five years. Subtitle C: Study and Report - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the impact of the changes made by this title on: (1) increasing access to health care; (2) the number of employees of small employers who do not have health insurance; (3) the cost of small employer health benefit plans; and (4) the effectiveness of MedAccess plans. Title II: Encouraging Expansion of Services to the Poor and Working Poor - Declares that the remedy provided by specified provisions of Federal law relating to claims against the United States for personal injury resulting from medical care provided by an entity receiving a grant or contract under provisions relating to migrant and community health centers, or provided by an individual employed by or under contract to such a center, shall be exclusive of any other civil action or proceeding. Directs the Attorney General to defend any civil action or proceeding brought in any court against a protected person for such injury. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify that an entity receiving a grant or contract under such provisions has: (1) implemented policies and procedures to assure against malpractice; and (2) no history of claims against it or, if such claims exist, has fully cooperated with the Attorney General in defending against the claims and taken corrective steps. Directs the Secretary to provide for a program of grants to migrant and community health centers receiving grants or contracts under provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to such centers to promote the provision of primary health care services for underserved individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Preserving and Improving Quality of Care - Directs the Secretary to develop standards for: (1) a common set of hospital clinical patient data; and (2) the confidential transfer of data in electronic form. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on restructuring the Medicare peer review quality assurance program given the availability of hospital data in electronic form. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require hospitals, in order to be eligible for Medicare payments, to: (1) maintain clinical data in electronic form on all inpatients; and (2) transmit electronically to the Secretary or a utilization and quality control peer view organization a common set of clinical inpatient hospital data relating to any individual receiving services for which certain Medicare payments may be made. Directs the Secretary to provide grants to demonstrate and conduct research on the application of comprehensive information systems in monitoring and improving patient care. Makes up to a specified amount available each year from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the grants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Violence Against Women Act of 1991 - Title I: Safe Streets for Women - Safe Streets for Women Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Mandatory Restitution, Treatment, and Rehabilitation for Sex Offenses - Requires that a court order restitution, treatment, and rehabilitation for violations of Federal sexual abuse laws, including participation in a psychotherapeutic treatment program by a licensed therapist for specified persons who committed sexual or sexual-related offenses. Specifies that: (1) the treatment program shall be designed to rehabilitate the affected person and to deter such person from committing a sexual offense after being released from the institution; and (2) treatment for a substance abuse-related condition shall be made available to such person in addition to, but not as a substitute for, counseling under such program. Sets forth provisions with respect to the period of treatment, the requirement of a complete forensic psychological assessment prior to the commencement of the treatment program, termination of treatment, supplemental chemical treatment (but the affected person may refuse to participate, or continue to participate, in supplementary chemical treatment), and the responsibilities of the Attorney General (such as contracting for treatment and documenting subsequent criminal sexual abuse). Directs the Attorney General to establish an advisory committee on therapeutic treatment for sex offenders. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crime Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to areas of high intensity crime against women. Requires that the grants be used for personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States, for use by States and their subdivisions, to be used for the same purposes as the high intensity area grants and to reduce the rate of violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make general grants to: (1) States to reduce violent crimes against women; and (2) Indian tribes to reduce violent crimes against women in Indian country. Authorizes the Director, in addition to the grants under this subtitle, to direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to use its authorities and resources in support of State and local assistance efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Bars any State or other grantee (recipient) from receiving funds under this title unless such recipient incurs the full cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual assault when such exams are required under this title. Specifies that a recipient does not incur the full medical cost of such exams if it chooses to reimburse the victim after the fact unless the reimbursement program waives any minimum loss or deductible requirement, provides victim reimbursement within a reasonable time (90 days), permits applications for reimbursement within one year from the date of the exam, and provides information to all subjects of such exams about how to obtain reimbursement. Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, from funds authorized under existing provisions, to make capital grants for the prevention of crime and to increase security in existing and future public transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to States and local public bodies to increase the safety of public transportation through lighting, camera surveillance, security phones, or other projects. Sets the Federal share of each project at 90 percent of the net cost. Directs the Secretary to provide grants and loans to study ways to reduce violent crimes against women in public transit through better design or operation of public transit systems. Amends the National Park System Improvements in Administration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to reduce violent crime in the National Park System (NPS). Provides for the compilation of a list of areas within the NPS with the highest rates of violent crime. Allows funds to be used, around public parks and recreation areas, for increasing lighting, providing emergency phone lines, increasing security or law enforcement personnel, and any other project to increase security and safety. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants for capital improvements and other measures to increase safety in public parks and recreation areas. Subtitle D: National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women - Establishes the National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women to promote a national policy on violent crime against women and to make recommendations on reducing such crime. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report, subject to extension by the President for up to one more year. Subtitle E: New Evidentiary Rules - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to exclude, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in criminal cases other than a sex offense case, reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior of a victim from admission into evidence. Allows other types of evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Makes reputation or opinion evidence of the plaintiff's past sexual behavior, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, inadmissible in a civil action involving allegations of actionable sexual misconduct. Makes other types of evidence of a plaintiff's past sexual behavior admissible in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Defines actionable sexual misconduct to include sex harassment or discrimination claims under title VII (Equal Employment Opportunity) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and gender bias claims under title III of this Act. Makes evidentiary rulings made under specified Federal Rules of Evidence relating to sex offense cases and the relevance of a victim's past behavior subject to interlocutory appeal by the Government or by the alleged victim. Allows the alleged victim to waive those rules if the prosecution seeks to offer evidence of prior sexual history. Makes evidence of an alleged victim's clothing, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in a criminal case under Federal laws relating to sexual abuse, inadmissible to show the victim incited or invited the offense. Subtitle F: Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to allow States to use amounts transferred by the State under block grant provisions for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers or similar nongovernmental nonprofit entities. Authorizes appropriations. Removes a requirement that a minimum amount from the block grants under the PHSA be allotted to States on the basis of population. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to make grants for research and service demonstration projects to develop and evaluate techniques for lowering the overall incidence of rape by 20 percent by the year 2000 and for reducing the trauma and long-term impact of rape. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Safe Homes for Women - Safe Homes for Women Act - Subtitle A: Interstate Enforcement - Provides for a Federal term of imprisonment or fine, in addition to any State penalties, for any person who travels or causes another (including the intended victim) to travel across State lines or in interstate commerce with intent to injure a spouse or intimate partner and who, during the travel or thereafter, injures his or her spouse or intimate partner in violation of a criminal law of the State where the injury occurs, or in violation of a State protection order. Provides for temporary protection orders while a case under these provisions is pending. Mandates that a court order restitution to the victim of an offense under this Act. Requires, provided certain conditions are met, that a protection order issued by the court of one State be accorded full faith and credit by the court of another State. Makes a protection order issued against a person who filed a written pleading for protection not entitled to full faith and credit if no cross or counter petition, complaint, or other written pleading was filed seeking such a protection order or, if a cross or counter petition was filed, the court did not specifically find each party entitled to such an order. Subtitle B: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize the Secretary to make grants, with regard to spousal abuse, to: (1) implement pro-arrest programs and policies in police departments and improve case tracking; (2) centralize and coordinate police enforcement, prosecution, or judicial responsibility for cases in one group of officers, prosecutors, or judges; and (3) educate judges to improve judicial handling of cases. Directs the Secretary to delegate to the Attorney General responsibility to carry out these provisions. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Funding for Shelters - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations to carry out that Act, earmarking at least 85 percent of funds appropriated for States, and at least ten percent for Indian tribes and tribal organizations, for grants (under current law, demonstration grants) to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance. Limits the percentage which may be used to provide training and technical assistance to State, Indian tribal, and local domestic violence programs and to other professionals who provide services to victims of domestic violence. Subtitle D: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments - Amends the FVPSA to: (1) specify that the purpose of such Act is to increase public awareness of, as well as to prevent, family violence, and to provide for training to the courts, and legal, social service, and health professionals (current law specifies only local public agencies, nonprofit private organizations, and others seeking such assistance); and (2) grant preference in the distribution of funds to States that give special emphasis to projects including counseling and self-help services to victims and their children (current law covers counseling, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and self-help services to abusers and victims.) Directs the Secretary to provide for the funding of domestic violence coalitions that shall further the purposes of domestic violence intervention and prevention through activities such as: (1) working with judicial and law enforcement agencies to encourage appropriate response to domestic violence cases and specified issues, such as the use of mandatory arrest of accused offenders and the use of interstate extradition in cases of domestic violence crimes; (2) working with family law judges, Child Protective Services agencies, and children's advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues in domestic violence cases, and where domestic violence and child abuse are both present; and (3) conducting public education campaigns regarding domestic violence through the use of public service announcements and informative materials designed for print and electronic broadcast media, billboards, and public transit advertising. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth provisions with respect to the allotment of funds. Requires: (1) that any State domestic violence coalition have standing to challenge whether a grantee is in compliance with the eligibility requirements, or to seek enforcement, of provisions of the FVPSA; and (2) that each such coalition submit a report to the Secretary detailing the coordination, training, technical assistance, and public education services performed, and evaluating the effectiveness of such services. Raises the limit on funding of grants in any fiscal year to any single entity (other than to a State) to $75,000 (currently, $50,000, and a $150,000 limit on the total amount of such grants to any such single entity). Modifies provisions with respect to grants to entities other than States to require that the local share as a proportion of the total amount of funds provided under such Act to the project involved be 35 percent for new programs for the first year of the program and 20 percent for each year therafter for existing programs. (Current law specifies 35 percent in the first year such project receives a grant under such Act, 55 percent in the second such year, and 65 percent in the third such year.) Repeals a provision requiring that a specified portion of State demonstration grant funds for preventing, and assisting victims of, family violence be distributed to provide shelter for victims. Includes shelter as "related assistance" that may be funded under grants for such purposes, as well as medical services, legal assistance, technical assistance with respect to obtaining financial assistance under Federal and State programs, employment training, and educational and preventive health services. Increases the minimum allotment to States for grants under the FVPSA. Requires the General Accounting Office, within 120 days, to complete a study of, and submit to the Congress a report and recommendations on, problems of recordkeeping of criminal complaints involving domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to: (1) award to not less than ten States model State leadership grants for domestic violence intervention; and (2) provide grants or contracts with public or private nonprofit organizations for the establishment and maintenance of a national resource center and six specialty resource centers focusing on one or more specified issues of concern to domestic violence victims. Sets forth eligibility requirements, funding provisions, and, with respect to the latter, reporting requirements. Subtitle E: Confidentiality for Abused Persons - Requires the Postmaster General to promulgate regulations to secure the confidentiality of abused persons' addresses. Title III: Civil Rights - Declares that all persons within the United States shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities in every State as are enjoyed by all other persons to be free from crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender (defined as any crime of violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, or any other crime of violence committed because of or on the basis of gender). Makes any person, including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State, who deprives another of the rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws as enumerated by this Act liable to the injured party in an action for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, or other relief as the court deems appropriate. Amends the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 to allow the awarding of attorney's fees in actions to enforce this title. Title IV: Safe Campuses for Women - Safe Campuses for Women Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to make, on a competitive basis, grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education for rape education and prevention programs. Requires that the grants be used to educate and provide support services to student victims of rape or sexual assault, with 25 percent of the funds available for model demonstration programs for rape prevention and education curricula and for local programs to provide services to student rape victims. Authorizes appropriations to carry out title X (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) of the Act. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to add sexual assault to the list of criminal offenses about which statistics must be disclosed by institutions participating in certain programs. Title V: Equal Justice for Women in the Courts - Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act - Subtitle A: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in State Courts - Authorizes the State Justice Institute to make grants for model programs to be used by States in training judges and court personnel in State laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the State Justice Institute to expend at least: (1) 40 percent of appropriated funds on programs regarding domestic violence; and (2) 40 percent on programs regarding rape and assault. Subtitle B: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in Federal Courts - Directs the Federal Judicial Center to study and report on the nature and extent of gender bias in the Federal courts. Requires the Center to develop and disseminate model programs to be used in training Federal judges and court personnel in the laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires between 25 and 40 percent of such funds to be used for the study required by this subtitle.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)