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201 records in US in 1996
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the additional tax on early distribution from retirement plans distributions to individuals during periods of unemployment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
Healthy Start Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Healthy Start), incorporating certain current SSA title XI peer review and fraud and abuse provisions. Establishes an entitlement program of health insurance for eligible children under age 13 and mothers-to-be who are not covered under a qualified health plan. Outlines the scope of benefits for such individuals, which generally consist of the same benefits that are available under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), including well child services and pre- and post-natal care provided to such children and women, respectively, without the application of deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. Entitles to benefits as both a child and a pregnant woman any individual entitled to program benefits as either the one or the other. Creates in the Treasury the Children Health Insurance Trust Fund. Makes necessary appropriations to it out of the premium tax imposed by this Act for use in financing the Healthy Start program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose: (1) a premium tax on certain individuals covered by the Healthy Start program, with exceptions for certain low-income families, in order to cover uninsured children and mothers-to-be; and (2) certain reporting requirements with regard to qualified health plans (and certain penalties to enforce them).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily permit two-year averaging of farm income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3756 (Department of the Treasury, U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a provision from being reported in any general appropriation bill containing the regular appropriations for any one of 28 specified parts of the Government for a fiscal year, or from being in order as an amendment thereto, if the provision or amendment contains the regular appropriations for any other of such parts of the Government for the fiscal year (currently there are 13 general appropriation bills).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1996
Investment Competitiveness Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt interest-related dividends received from a regulated investment company from the 30 percent tax on the income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations not connected with U.S. business. Provides exceptions. Provides for determining: (1) taxable-interest dividends; and (2) taxable estate stock of nonresident non-citizens in regulated investment companies. Applies the special rules for real estate investment trusts on the disposition of investment in U.S. real property to regulated investment companies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1996
ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2002 for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); and (3) the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP), including Indian reservation roads, public lands highways, and parkways and park highways. (Sec. 6) Modifies the definition of: (1) "Federal-aid system" to mean the NHS; and (2) NHS to mean the Federal-aid highway system established pursuant to Federal highway provisions. Defines: (1) "highest priority corridor" to mean (with exceptions) any NHS corridor that the Secretary determines has national and international significance, that directly accounts for at least 35 percent of the truck-borne traffic for Canadian and Mexican imports and exports, that has at least 20 percent truck traffic, that directly benefits impoverished areas, that provides multiple intermodal connections, and that connects to military bases; and (2) "highway funds" to mean the funds apportioned to a State for a fiscal year and the funds allocated to a State for the preceding fiscal year for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction (other than funds made available for the FLHP and for emergency relief). Modifies provisions regarding Federal-aid systems and the formula for apportionments of NHS funds. (Sec. 7) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) apportionments for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System (IS); and (2) the transfer of interstate construction apportionments, the transfer of funds for STP projects, and limits on new capacity. (Sec. 8) Modifies STP provisions regarding the location of projects and allocations of apportioned funds. Authorizes a State, in nonattainment areas for ozone or carbon monoxide, or for PM-10 resulting from transportation activities, or any combination thereof, to obligate STP funds for any congestion mitigation and air quality improvement project or program without regard to any Department of Transportation limitation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard such project or program addresses. (Sec. 9) Directs that, for purposes of STP and IS provisions, population shall be determined based on the most recent decennial census for which data are available. (Sec. 10) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program; and (2) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. (Sec. 12) Replaces provisions regarding minimum allocations to States with an apportionment adjustment program to provide that the Secretary shall allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that the ratio of the highway funds of the State to those of all States for the fiscal year is not less than certain listed percentages for the State. Repeals existing apportionment adjustment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Individual Retirement Security Program Title II: Social Security Benefit Reforms Social Security Solvency Act of 1996 - Title I: Individual Retirement Security Program - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to publish in the Federal Register each year the reallocation percentage for amounts otherwise appropriated for the following fiscal year to the OASDI trust funds from Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes imposed with regard to wages and self-support income. Defines reallocation percentage as the Commissioner's best estimate of the maximum percentage by which such appropriations may be reduced: (1) in any fiscal year before FY 2012, so as to maintain a linear annual reduction in the trust funds performance ratio from the amount of such ratio for the fiscal year preceding such fiscal year to an amount of such ratio for FY 2012 equal to 1.00; and (2) in any fiscal year after FY 2011, so as to maintain a trust funds performance ratio for such fiscal year of 1.00. Defines trust funds performance ratio for any fiscal year as the ratio of the total amount paid into the OASDI trust funds (with specified exceptions) to the total benefit amount which will be paid out (with specified disregards). Requires a reduction in trust fund appropriations, to the extent attributable to the taxes paid with respect to a covered employee or individual during the fiscal year, by the reallocation percentage for the fiscal year involved in any case in which such an employee or self-employed individual has elected to enter into elective retirement status under the new individual retirement security program established by this Act. Creates a new Individual Retirement Security Program under OASDI in which a covered employee or covered self-employed individual may elect to enter into elective retirement status and have retirement contributions made to one or more designated personal retirement savings accounts. Provides for adjustments to primary insurance amounts of such covered individuals in elective status under such program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount deposited in a personal retirement savings account. Includes distributions in gross income as if they were social security benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to appropriate into the hospital insurance trust fund and each payor fund revenues from increases in the income tax on social security benefits. Title II: Social Security Benefit Reforms - Amends SSA title II to provide for: (1) a specified limitation on the payment of certain benefits in excess of contributions during years of higher income; (2) a gradual increase in retirement age (up to 69 and beyond after December 31, 2015) and early retirement age; (3) adjustments to bend points in determining primary insurance amounts; (4) information relating to benefit limitations provided in social security account statements; (5) coverage of newly hired State and local employees; and (6) phased reduction in spousal benefits other than survivor's benefits to 33 percent of primary insurance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3754 (legislative branch appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3755 (Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of the Treasury Title II: Postal Service Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions (This Act) Title VI: General Provisions (Departments, Agencies, and Corporations) Title VII: Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1996 Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and its related agencies for FY 1997. (Sec. 116) Revises the formula for reserves in the Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, beginning FY 1998. (Sec. 118) Directs the Department to establish a priority placement program for eligible employees separated or scheduled to be separated from service due to a reduction in force. Prohibits the filling of vacant Department positions from outside the agency if qualified eligible employees within the same commuting area are available. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a job placement and counseling service program. Requires any contract under the Internal Revenue Service's Tax System Modernization program to require the contractor, in hiring employees to perform the contract, to obtain referrals of eligible employees from the priority placement or job placement programs. Title II: Postal Service - Makes appropriations to the Postal Service Fund for FY 1997. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Executive Office of the President and related offices and programs. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Federal Election Commission; (3) the Federal Labor Relations Authority; (4) the General Services Administration; (5) the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board; (6) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (7) the National Archives and Records Administration; (8) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (9) the Office of Government Ethics; (10) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); (11) the Office of Inspector General; (12) the Office of Special Counsel; and (13) the United States Tax Court. Specifies uses of funds provided to the General Services Administration. (Sec. 404) Amends the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1989 (Public Law 100-440) to repeal the mandate for an annual average of at least 1,000 full-time equivalent positions for Federal Protective Officers. (Sec. 406) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to establish, acquire space for, and equip flexiplace work telecommuting centers, and charge fees, for use by employees of Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector. Makes appropriations for FY 1997, also, for: (1) an OPM revolving fund; (2) specified Government contributions, with respect to retired Federal employees, as payments for annuitants, employee health benefits and life insurance; and (3) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Title V: General Provisions (This Act) - Sets forth certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of appropriations made under this Act. (Sec. 512) Requires entities appropriated funds under this Act to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress to such effect. (Sec. 518) Prohibits Act funds being available to pay for an abortion or expenses in connection with any health plan under the Federal employees health benefit program which provides any benefits or coverage for abortions, except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. (Sec. 521) Considers Personal Service Contractors (PSC) employed by the Department of the Treasury outside the United States to be Federal employees for purposes of Federal employee health and life insurance. (Sec. 522) Amends Federal law to repeal the requirement that: (1) each U.S. mint have a presidentially appointed superintendent and assayer; and (2) the Philadelphia mint have a presidentially appointed engraver. (Sec. 523) Amends Federal law to allow for the minting of 24 karat gold coins and of platinum coins. (Sec. 525) Directs the heads of the Internal Revenue Service, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and of the U.S. Customs Service to submit to specified congressional committees their respective strategic plans for making voluntary separation incentive ("buyout") payments, meeting specified requirements, to eligible employees. Requires reduction of an agency's total number of funded employee positions by the number of employees separating and receiving such payments. (Sec. 526) Exempts the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, through FY 1999, from laws governing procurement and public contracts. (Sec. 527) Authorizes the U.S. Mint to establish a demonstration project to test alternative management systems. Changes the service of the Director of the Mint from a five-year term to a six-year renewable contract, at specified compensation. (Sec. 528) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay up to $500,000 to reimburse former employees of the White House Travel Office terminated on May 19, 1993, for attorney's fees and related costs. (Sec. 529) Prohibits use of funds in this Act by the Executive Office of the President to request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) any official background investigation report on any individual without the individual's express written consent. Title VI: General Provisions (Departments, Agencies, and Corporations) - Sets forth certain requirements for and prohibitions and limitations on the use of appropriations by all Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 624) Prohibits use of funds in this Act for certain types of employee training, including those containing elements: (1) inducing high emotional or psychological stress; (2) associated with religious, quasi-religious, or "new age" belief systems; (3) offensive to, or designed to change, participants' personal values or lifestyle; or (4) related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) other than that necessary for specified purposes. (Sec. 627) Amends the Federal Financial Management Act of 1994 (title IV of the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, Public Law 103-356) to extend through FY 2001 the franchise fund pilot program. (Sec. 632) Amends the Federal criminal code to permit a Government officer or employee, without compensation, to represent before the Government any cooperative, voluntary, professional, recreational, or similar organization or group not operated for profit, if specified circumstances pertain. (Sec. 633) Amends Federal civil service law for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to mandate survivor annuity resumption upon divorce for a disabled child whose annuity had terminated because of marriage. (Sec. 634) Amends Federal civil service law for CSRS and FERS to require that Federal employees involuntarily terminated due to a reduction in force be given credit for unused annual leave in order to meet minimum age and service requirements for title to an immediate annuity. (Sec. 635) Amends the Federal criminal code to specify that certain post-employment restrictions for senior officials do not apply to Federal officers and employees whose basic rate of compensation is below level 5 of the Senior Executive Service. (Sec. 636) Provides for Federal agency reimbursement to Federal law enforcement officers and Federal supervisors or management officials for up to half the costs they incur for professional liability insurance. Title VII: Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1996 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1996 to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in a specified amount for salaries and expenses in connection with investigations or arson at religious institutions. Rescinds the same amount from certain funds appropriated to the Internal Revenue Service in the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1996 for information systems under the heading of Tax Systems Modernization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Labor Title II: Department of Health and Human Services Title III: Department of Education Title IV: Related Agencies Title V: General Provisions Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies, programs, and various trust funds, within the Department of Labor. Prescribes uses and limitations on the use of funds under this title. (Sec. 106) Provides that, in the administration of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 16- and 17-year-old individuals who are not apprentices or student-learners shall be permitted to load, but not operate or unload, materials into scrap paper balers or paper box compactors that: (1) meet the current safety standards of the American National Standards Institute; and (2) meet other specified standards regarding on-off switches and employee notification. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the use of funds to enforce and issue fines under a specified Hazardous Occupation Order with respect to incidental and occasional driving by minors under age 18, unless the Secretary of Labor finds that operation of a motor vehicle is the primary duty of the minor's employment. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies and programs within the Department of Health and Human Services. Prescribes limitations on the use of appropriated funds under this title. (Sec. 211) Prohibits the use of funds by the National Institutes of Health to provide grants or cooperative agreements under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for research proposals when the median of the evaluation scores for such proposals in the review cycle is higher than the median for investigator-initiated research (RO1) grant proposals. (Sec. 212) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, to extend through December 31, 2000, or until the first day of the first quarter on which the Medigrant plan for Michigan is effective, the moratorium on treating Kent and Saginaw Community Hospitals in Michigan as institutions for mental diseases. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide for the relocation of the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center (located in Louisiana) and its patients, in accordance with specified requirements. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to such Center. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies and programs within the Department of Education, subject to certain requirements for and limitations of their use. (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to transport teachers or students in order to: (1) overcome racial imbalance in any school or school system; or (2) carry out a racial desegregation plan. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the use of funds to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in the public schools. (Sec. 304) Limits the amount of funds which may be used for specified student aid programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Prohibits the Secretary of Education from using HEA funds for subsequent fiscal years for administrative expenses of the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the following agencies or programs: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service (for domestic volunteer service programs); (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (7) National Council on Disability; (8) National Education Goals Panel; (9) National Labor Relations Board; (10) National Mediation Board; (11) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (12) Physician Payment Review Commission; (13) Prospective Payment Assessment Commission; (14) Social Security Administration, for various trust funds and programs; (15) Railroad Retirement Board; and (16) United States Institute of Peace. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions and limitations on the use of appropriated funds under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug unless the Secretary of HHS determines that such programs are effective in preventing the spread of HIV and do not encourage the use of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products purchased under this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds to perform abortions except to save the life of the mother or where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. (Sec. 510) Prohibits use of funds in this Act for the expenses of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) task force. (Sec. 512) Prohibits use of funds in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under certain Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 513) Prohibits the National Labor Relations Board from using funds in this Act to assert jurisdiction over any labor dispute which does not involve any class or category of employer over which the Board would assert jurisdiction under the standards prevailing on August 1, 1959, with each financial threshold amount adjusted for inflation in a specified manner. (Sec. 514) Prohibits use of funds in this Act to provide any direct benefit or assistance to any individual in the United States when it is made known to the appropriate Federal official that: (1) the individual is not lawfully within the United States; and (2) the benefit or assistance to be provided is other than emergency medical assistance or a State-provided benefit mandated by the Federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend through FY 1999 the authorization of appropriations for, and termination date of, homeless veterans' reintegration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prohibit 401(k) plans from investing in collectibles; and (2) require such plans to provide annual, detailed investment reports to participants.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Pension ProSave Plans Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Subtitle A: Definitions Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Plans Pension ProSave Act - Title I - Pension ProSave Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to deferred compensation and other matters to establish a system under which any employer may establish a Pension ProSave Plan: (1) for the exclusive benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries; and (2) the only contributions to which are contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts established on behalf of such employees. Specifies requirements for contributions, vesting, distributions and loans, and reporting. Provides that a Pension ProSave Plan shall be treated in the same manner as a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan including a certain kind of tax-exempt trust. Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Subtitle A: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Directs the Board of Directors of the Pension Portability Clearinghouse (established by this Act) to establish a system of Pension ProSave Accounts under which: (1) employers and employees may make contributions on behalf of employees under a Pension ProSave Plan; (2) individuals may make qualified rollover contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts; and (3) amounts in the Pension ProSave Accounts are invested, and loans and distributions of amounts in such Accounts are made, as provided in this Act. Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse - Establishes the Pension Portability Clearinghouse within the executive branch of the Government, and the Pension Portability Clearinghouse Advisory Council. Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a simplified method for complying with pension requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit, as specified, a deduction for amounts paid or incurred for the costs of transporting tangible property outside the United States if such transporting results in a reduction by the taxpayer of production or operations in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Medicare Savings Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Part A Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Part B Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B Subtitle D: Medicare Part B Premium Title II: Expanded Medicare Choice Title III: National Commission on Medicare Reform Emergency Medicare Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Medicare Savings - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Part A - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) part A of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for the Hospital Insurance program under it in order to achieve Medicare savings through measures involving, among other things: (1) adjustments for estimated case mix increase when recalibrating diagnosis-related group (DRG) prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient hospital services; (2) temporary additional reduction in PPS capital and hospital-specific rates; (3) reduction in adjustment for indirect medical education (IME); (4) revisions in determination of amount of payment for medical education; (5) elimination of disproportionate share (DSH) adjustments and IME payments attributable to outlier payments; (6) changes in the treatment of certain transfer cases; (7) incentive payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (8) reductions to capital payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (9) updates to per diem cost limits effective for FY 1996 for skilled nursing facilities based on limits for FY 1993, with payment for such facilities made on an interim prospective basis until FY 1998 when a full prospective payment system is to be implemented; (10) salary equivalency guidelines for various specified therapy services; (11) additional payments to hospitals for graduate medical education programs and managed care enrollees; (12) expanding the choice of base years and eliminating the volume adjustment with regard to sole community hospitals; (13) expanding the essential access community hospital (EACH) program (renamed the rural primary care hospital program) to all States with an end to new EACH designations, a limitation on length of inpatient stays, and certain payment-related changes, among other modifications; (14) permanent grandfathering of rural referral center status; and (15) Medicare-dependent, small, rural hospital payment extension. (Sec. 11104) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Commission on Medical Education and Workforce Priorities to develop and recommend to the HHS Secretary specific policies concerning health centers and the health care workforce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11118) Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary to establish a grant program for promoting the development of rural telemedicine networks under a newly added part B (Telemedicine Development). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11119) Amends title III (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a Rural Health Outreach Grant Program under a newly added part O (Rural Health Outreach Grants). Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Part B - Revises requirements for Medicare's Supplementary Medical Insurance program under SSA title XVIII part B to achieve Medicare savings and provide for coverage of additional benefits through such measures involving, among other things: (1) new updates for physician services; (2) incentives to control high volume for in-hospital physicians' services; (3) reduced payment increases for ambulatory surgical center services for FY 1997 through 2002; (4) reductions in monthly payment amounts for oxygen and oxygen equipment; (5) freezes in the updates for durable medical equipment and orthotics and prosthetics for 1997 through 2002; (6) elimination of formula-driven overpayments for certain outpatient hospital services; (7) reduction in payments for capital-related costs, and for certain other costs, with regard to hospital outpatient services; (8) provision for a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; and (9) program coverage of colorectal screening and of annual screening mammography for women over age 49. (Sec. 11130) Waives cost-sharing for mammography. (Sec. 11133) Establishes set payment amounts for certain vaccines and ties annual increases in them to increases in the yearly update for physicians' services for the particular year involved. Eliminates coinsurance and deductible for hepatitis B vaccine. (Sec. 11134) Provides program coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services. Includes as covered durable medical equipment blood glucose monitors for individuals with diabetes. (Sec. 11135) Provides limited program coverage of respite services (the temporary care provided to individuals for the purpose of ensuring periodic time-off for co-resident primary informal caregivers). (Sec. 11136) Revises payments to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B - Directs the HHS Secretary to use a competitive process to contract with centers of excellence for coronary artery bypass surgery or other heart procedures, knee surgery, hip surgery, and other appropriate services, with payment for such services on the basis of specified negotiated or all-inclusive rates. Requires the amount of payment made by the HHS Secretary to the center for covered services to be less than the aggregate amount of payments that would have otherwise been made to it had not such process been in effect. (Sec. 11142) Restructures payment policy for home health services, among other things: (1) temporarily basing updates to per visit cost limits on pre-July 1, 1994 levels; (2) providing interim reduced cost limits for FY 1997 through 1999; (3) directing the HHS Secretary, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after FY 2000, to provide for payments for home health services in accordance with a PPS which pays home health agencies on a per episode basis; (4) basing payment on the location where the home health service is furnished; and (5) elimination of periodic interim payments for home health agencies. (Sec. 11147) Provides for permanent extension of certain secondary payer provisions under Medicare, including those for the working disabled. Subtitle D: Medicare Part B Premium - Modifies Medicare part B premium provisions, directing the HHS Secretary, during each September, to determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding calendar year equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for that succeeding calendar year. Title II: Expanded Medicare Choice - Gives Medicare a managed care component under a new part C (Managed Care Organizations) under which every individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and enrolled under Medicare part B (or enrolled under part B only) shall be eligible to enroll with any eligible organization contracting with the HHS Secretary to serve the geographic area in which the individual resides. Extends to such individuals a broader choice of managed care coverage through qualified health maintenance organizations, competitive medical plans, preferred provider organizations, or provider sponsored organizations. Delineates the types of benefits offered by each managed care organization or plan, requiring certain minimum services, with supplemental benefits subject to the Secretary's approval and provided at the enrollees' option. Outlines other program particulars regarding internal quality assurance, payment for services, and sanctions for noncompliance with program requirements. (Sec. 11203) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop and promulgate interim final regulations for: (1) certification standards for eligible organizations; (2) standards for fiscal soundness and requirements against the risk of insolvency for provider sponsored organizations seeking certification as an eligible organization; (3) standards for monitoring eligible organizations under a risk or partial risk contract under this new part; and (4) any other standards or procedures required to implement provisions of part C. (Sec. 11204) Provides for the applicability of Medicare rates to enrollees who use an out-of-plan service provider. (Sec. 11205) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for regulations requiring the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that will permit measurement of outcomes and other indices of the quality of managed care plans under contract with the Secretary. (Sec. 11206) Allows the HHS Secretary to waive certain HMO- and competitive medical plan (CMP)-related requirements under Medicare with regard to certain described experiments and demonstration projects under provisions for economy while maintaining or improving quality in health services (competitive pricing demonstrations). (Sec. 11207) Eliminates the health care prepayment plan option for entities eligible to participate under Medicare part C. (Sec. 11208) Provides various specified changes under the Medicare supplemental policy program, including uniform enrollment periods and community-rated premiums. (Sec. 11209) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop a standard package of benefits (in addition to those already covered under Medicare) that may be offered by eligible organizations under Medicare part C. Requires the HHS Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to examine the standard benefit packages for Medicare supplemental health insurance policies and recommend any restructuring needed in order to facilitate to the maximum extent feasible comparison across such policies and benefits offered by eligible organizations. Requires the HHS Secretary, after taking into account any such recommendations, to restructure such packages as needed. (Sec. 11210) Provides that in any action under the antitrust laws the conduct of an organization that provides health care services in negotiating, making, or performing a contract under Medicare part C, and the conduct of any member of such an organization in carrying out such a contract, shall not be deemed illegal per se if each member of the organization shares, directly or indirectly, substantial financial risk in connection with the organization's operations. (Sec. 11211) Revises the Public Health Service Act with regard to certain requirements for certificates and laboratory inspections. (Sec. 11212) Modifies the exceptions under Medicare's limitation on certain physician referrals to both ownership and compensation arrangement prohibitions, among other changes repealing the exception for physicians' services and adding a new exception for shared facility services. Title III: National Commission on Medicare Reform - Establishes the National Commission on Medicare Reform to: (1) review relevant analyses of the current and long-term financial condition of the Medicare trust funds; (2) identify problems that may threaten the long-term solvency of such funds; (3) analyze potential solutions to such problems that will both assure the financial integrity of the Medicare program and the provision of appropriate benefits under it; (4) provide appropriate recommendations to the HHS Secretary, the President, and the Congress; and (5) develop a legislative proposal to carry them out for submission to the Congress. Outlines the procedures for the Congress to consider such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Additional Empowerment Zones Title II: New Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Title III: Expensing of Environmental Remediation Costs Title I: Additional Empowerment Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from: (1) 9 to 11 the number of areas which may be designated as empowerment zones; (2) six to eight the number of such zones which may be in urban areas; and (3) 750,000 to 1,000,000 the aggregate population allowable in all urban area zones. Title II: New Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities - Permits, before January 1, 1998, the designation, in the aggregate of an additional: (1) 80 nominated areas as enterprise communities; and (2) 20 nominated areas as empowerment zones, subject to availability of eligible nominated areas. Modifies eligibility criteria. Prohibits: (1) applying the employment credit to the new empowerment zones; and (2) in certain developable sites, application of increased expensing provisions for certain depreciable business assets. Modifies provisions concerning: (1) enterprise facility zone bonds; and (2) the enterprise zone business definition. Title III: Expensing of Environmental Remediation Costs - Permits a taxpayer to expense any defined qualified environmental remediation expenditure which is not chargeable to capital account.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make certain research on existing business components eligible for the research credit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction as capital expenditures of the following costs incurred for replanting edible crops for human consumption which were lost by reason of freezing temperatures, disease, drought, pests, or casualty: (1) replanting costs; (2) 80 percent of the special replanting costs of such replanting; (3) the removal of lost plants; and (4) and preproductive costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies Title VIII: Antitrust Title IX: Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants over a three year period to eligible States for development of plans to increase access to health care services for residents of areas in the State that are designated as chronically underserved. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Directs the HHS Secretary to make funds available to provide technical assistance and advice for certain entities seeking to establish or enhance a community rural health network in an underserved rural area. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide financial assistance (development grants) to eligible entities for the development and implementation of community rural health networks, giving priority to eligible entities in States with developed plans to increase the access of residents of chronically underserved areas to health care services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 205) Ends Federal financing for the grant program for rural health transition under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 and a certain program for rural outreach grants. Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program, while continuing payment to designated EACHs. Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services. Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Provides for a new Medicare Rural Emergency Access Care Hospital program, detailing coverage and payment for services. Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the allocation of Corps members among shortage areas. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician. Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages. Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the HHS Secretary, in making grants in rural areas for new or expanded services for each fiscal year, to give priority to projects that would be located in a State, or county or region of a State, that is not already serviced by an existing community health center. Requires also the Secretary to give special consideration to projects which have entered into a collaborative agreement with a community hospital meeting certain requirements. Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a methodology for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services furnished on an emergency basis to rural residents. Title VIII: Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, give special consideration to antitrust guidelines affecting physician and hospital networks located in rural areas during its ongoing review of such guidelines; and (2) the completion of the Commission's review be expedited to provide relief and clarification to physicians and hospitals working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to all Americans, especially those living and working in rural areas. Title IX: Financing - Revises Medicare secondary payer requirements. Makes permanent the requirements for: (1) employer responses to fiscal intermediary or carrier inquiries about the coverage of an employee or employee's spouse under a group health plan of the employer; and (2) the prohibition against a large group health plan's taking into account that the employee or a dependent of the employee is entitled to Medicare or end stage renal disease benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Committee on Agriculture Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution Programs Subtitle C: Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems Title II: Committee on Commerce Subtitle A: Restructuring Medicaid Subtitle B: Other Provisions Title III: Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities Subtitle A: Work Requirements Subtitle B: Child and Family Services Block Grant Subtitle C: Child Care Subtitle D: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle E: Related Provisions Title IV: Committee on Ways and Means: Welfare Reform Subtitle A: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Subtitle B: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle C: Child Support Subtitle D: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle E: Reform of Public Housing Subtitle F: Child Protection Block Grant Program and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living Programs Subtitle G: Child Care Subtitle H: Miscellaneous Title I: Committee on Agriculture - Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Act) to establish a maximum 24- month food stamp program (program) authorization period for households whose adult members are elderly or disabled. (Sec. 1012) Expands the definition of "coupon." (Sec. 1013) Treats children who are themselves parents living with their children and married children living with their spouses as part of an existing household rather than as a separate household. (Sec. 1014) Authorizes States to establish additional criteria for separate household determinations. (Sec. 1015) Revises thrifty food plan adjustment requirements. (Sec. 1016) Revises the definition of "homeless individual" to limit the length of time a person may temporarily live in another person's residence. (Sec. 1018) Revises household income exclusion provisions regarding: (1) students; and (2) Federal energy assistance. (Sec. 1020) Revises household income deduction provisions regarding: (1) standard deductions; (2) earned income; (3) dependent care; (4) child support payments; (5) homeless shelter assistance; (6) excess medical expenses; and (7) excess shelter expenses. (Sec. 1021) Eliminates specified excludable auto value increases and establishes the maximum excludable auto value at $4600. (Sec. 1022) Includes as household income third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless. (Sec. 1023) Increases penalties for certain program violations. (Sec. 1024) Disqualifies permanently an individual convicted of specified coupon violations. (Sec. 1025) Revises work requirement and employment and training provisions. Extends employment and training funding authorizations. (Sec. 1028) Authorizes comparable program disqualification based upon means-tested public assistance disqualification. (Sec. 1029) Disqualifies for ten years an individual who participates in the program in two or more States. (Sec. 1030) Disqualifies a fleeing felon from program participation. (Sec. 1031) Requires at State option: (1) cooperation with child support agencies in order to maintain program eligibility; and (2) program disqualification for child support arrears. (Sec. 1033) Defines "work program." Makes nonexempt persons ineligible for program benefits if during the preceding 12-month period they received food stamps for four months or more without working at least 20 hours per week, or participating in a workfare program. Sets forth exempted persons and situations. (Sec. 1034) Directs States to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 1035) Eliminates annual minimum allotment adjustments. (Sec. 1037) Authorizes a combined allotment for expedited households. (Sec. 1038) Authorizes program reductions for failure to comply with a means-tested public assistance reduction requirement. (Sec. 1039) Authorizes program assistance for households residing in a homeless shelter or drug or alcohol treatment center. (Sec. 1040) Provides that no food store or wholesale food concern be approved for program participation without a prior visit by a Department of Agriculture employee, or a designated State or local official. (Sec. 1041) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish authorization periods for retail food stores and wholesale food concerns to redeem food stamps or benefits through an electronic benefit transfer system. (Sec. 1042) Includes income and sales tax information among the types of eligibility verification information that may be requested. (Sec. 1043) Establishes a six-month reapplication waiting period for a store that does not meet participation requirements. (Sec. 1044) Revises: (1) food stamp office operating provisions; and (2) expedited coupon service requirements. (Sec. 1045) Eliminates certain certification personnel training requirements. (Sec. 1046) Provides for the exchange of information with law enforcement or Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel. (Sec. 1048) Authorizes a family to withdraw a fair hearing request. (Sec. 1049) Permits States to use income, and immigration eligibility verification systems other than a specified system under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 1050) Provides for disqualification of a store: (1) that knowingly submits a falsified application; and (2) that is disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 1052) Directs program overissuances to be collected by: (1) allotment reduction; (2) unemployment compensation withholding; or (3) Federal pay or Federal income tax refund recovery. (Sec. 1053) Authorizes suspension of a store pending administrative and judicial review. (States that the Secretary shall not be liable for lost sales during such period.) (Sec. 1054) Establishes criminal forfeiture penalties for specified program violations. (Sec. 1055) Terminates Federal matching requirements for program recruitment activities. (Sec. 1057) Authorizes States to use funds otherwise available to a participating household for a work supplementation or support program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1058) Authorizes waiver of program requirements as necessary to conduct related pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1060) Authorizes States to carry out private sector employment initiatives. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1061) Authorizes appropriations for program operations. (Sec. 1062) Authorizes States to carry out a Simplified Food Stamp Program in lieu of existing program requirements. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1063) Establishes an optional State food assistance block grant program in lieu of the food stamp program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1064) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the use of food stamps for vitamin and mineral purchases. (Sec. 1066) Authorizes States to consider all or part of the income and financial resources of a person rendered ineligible for program participation in determining the eligibility of such person's household. (Sec. 1068) Expresses the sense of the House Committee on Agriculture that reductions in outlays resulting from this title shall not be considered for certain budget reduction purposes under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution Programs - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to combine the emergency food assistance program with the soup kitchen-food bank program. Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to purchase commodities for such combined programs. (Sec. 1072) Amends the Charitable Assistance and Food Bank Act of 1987 to repeal the food bank demonstration project. (Sec. 1073) Makes conforming and technical amendments to the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Subtitle C: Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to exempt (with exceptions) State and local government electronic benefit transfer systems from specified provisions of such Act. Title II: Committee on Commerce - Subtitle A: Restructuring Medicaid - Medicaid Restructuring Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XV (Program of Medical Assistance for Low-Income Individuals and Families), the stated purpose of which is to provide funds to States to enable them to provide medical assistance to low-income individuals and families in a more effective, efficient, and responsive manner. (Sec. 2003) Outlines program components, including key provisions for: (1) certain guaranteed benefits for select individuals, including certain poor pregnant women, disabled and poor elderly individuals, and children receiving foster care or adoption assistance; (2) guaranteed coverage of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for certain Medicare beneficiaries; (3) only nominal cost-sharing for children, poor pregnant women, and certain elderly and disabled individuals with respect to covered items and services; (4) prevention of spacial and family impoverishment with regard to long-term and institutional care generally; (5) solvency standards for capitate health care organizations; (6) prohibiting States from denying coverage of any item or service on the basis of a preexisting condition; (7) prohibition of State denial of coverage for any item or service under its Medicaid program on the basis of a preexisting condition; (8) State flexibility in benefits, geographical coverage area, and selection of providers, as well as with regard to managed care; (9) coverage of abortions only for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or when a woman suffers from a physical disorder, illness, or injury that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed; (10) denial of payment under the State Medicaid plan for any item or service furnished for euthanasia purposes; (11) limitation on payments for Medicaid services to nonlawful aliens, generally allowing treatment only in emergency situations; (12) periodic, independent evaluations of the operation of the State Medicaid plan and annual audits of State expenditures under its Medicaid program; (13) a separate fraud prevention program, as well as, under certain conditions, State fraud control units; (14) an information reporting system with regard to sanctions taken by State licensing authorities against health care practitioners and providers; (15) quality assurance requirements for nursing facilities, as well as requirements relating to residents' rights; and (16) an optional master drug rebate agreement program for covered outpatient drugs of a manufacturer. Directs the Comptroller General to provide for a study and report to the Congress on the methods by which States provide for financing their share of expenditures under Medicaid, including an examination of the use of provider taxes and donations, as well as intergovernmental transfers. (Sec. 2004) Terminates the current Medicaid program as of October 1, 1997. Sets a limitation on Medicaid payments in FY 1997. (Sec. 2005) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive such requirements of SSA titles XV and XVIII as may be necessary for States to conduct certain demonstration projects to use funds to develop and implement innovative programs for individuals dually eligible for benefits under both titles, including such individuals who are chronically ill. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Denies Federal public benefits (except certain emergency medical services and public health assistance) to non-qualified aliens. (Sec. 2212) Provides limited eligibility of qualified aliens for medical assistance. (Sec. 2213) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions) for Federal means-tested public benefits for the first five years after U.S. entry. (Sec. 2214) Requires each Federal agency administering a program to which such restrictions on alien eligibility apply to post information, directly or through the States, and provide general notification to the public and to program recipients of these eligibility changes. (Sec. 2222) Requires the Attorney General to promulgate regulations requiring verification that an applicant for a restricted Federal public benefit is a qualified alien eligible to receive it. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2131) Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to repeal certain deeming requirements with respect to home energy assistance payments not considered household income for purposes of the excess shelter expense deduction under the food stamp program. Title III: Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Work Requirements - Amends SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) to replace the current JOBS program with a mandatory work program under which States operating Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs shall achieve a certain minimum participation rate for each fiscal year from 1996 to 2002 and thereafter with respect to families on TANF. Requires such families, generally, to engage in certain work activities (including job search activities) and satisfy certain obligations in their individual responsibility plan with the State (such as immunizing their children and attending parenting and money management classes) in order to receive the full amount of TANF assistance, and in order to help the family member become and remain employed in the private sector. Gives States the option of requiring family members to undergo appropriate substance abuse treatment. (Sec. 3101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) in complying with such mandatory program each State operating a TANF program is encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and adults in single-parent families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities; and (2) States should require non-custodial, nonsupporting parents who have not attained 18 years of age to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. Sets up a program allowing eligible States in certain circumstances to receive supplemental grant funds for operation of a mandatory work program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for such supplemental grants. Subtitle B: Child and Family Services Block Grant - Renames the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as the Child and Family Services Block Grant Act of 1996. Changes the purposes of the Act to emphasize assistance to each State in improving child protective service systems. Delineates criteria governing State eligibility for Federal block grants for: (1) child and family services; and (2) research, demonstrations, training, and technical assistance. (Sec. 3201) Abolishes the current Federal program, including the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, community-based family resource programs, temporary child care for children with disabilities, crisis nursery demonstration programs, certain preventive services for children of homeless families or families at risk of homelessness, and requirements for criminal background checks for child care providers. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) establish a national child abuse and neglect data collection and analysis program (in addition to the current national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse); and (2) provide technical and training assistance to the States for child abuse and neglect programs and for adoption opportunities. Mandates peer review for such grants. Instructs the Secretary to conduct a national random sample study of children at risk of child abuse or neglect. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2002, including grants for demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in developing programs related to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases. Requires any State requesting such assistance to establish a multidisciplinary task force on children's justice to study administrative, civil, and criminal judicial handling of such cases, and make recommendations which the State must adopt (or equivalent alternatives). Subtitle C: Child Care - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments Act of 1996 - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (the Act, for purposes of this title). Sets forth goals for State child care assistance. (Sec. 3303) Amends Part A of title IV (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of the Social Security Act to entitle each State to payments for providing child care assistance. (Sec. 3304) Authorizes the State lead agency to administer the financial assistance it receives through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies. (Sec. 3305) Revises State application and plan requirements with respect to consumer education information, State licensing compliance, meeting the needs of AFDC or TANF recipients (especially those attempting through work activities to leave the assistance program) and those at risk of becoming dependent on assistance, and assistance for certain low-income working families. (Sec. 3307) Reduces from 20 percent to four percent the minimum amount of certain funds available for State activities to improve the quality of child care, limited to: (1) comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public; (2) activities increasing parental choice; and (3) activities designed to improve child care quality and availability. (Sec. 3308) Repeals a requirement that States expend a specified minimum amount of reserved funds for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. (Sec. 3313) Reduces the allotment reserved for Indian tribes or tribal organizations from three percent to one percent. Prescribes guidelines for the use of such allotment for facility repair and construction. (Sec. 3315) Repeals: (1) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985; (2) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; (3) specified programs under title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (4) the Native Hawaiian Family-based Education Centers program under the Native Hawaiian Education Act; and (5) the AFDC and Transitional Child Care programs and the At-Risk Child Care program under SSA title IV. Subtitle D: Child Nutrition Programs - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to repeal specified authorities and requirements for the school lunch and related programs, including: (1) State educational authority to use resources from the nutrition and education (NET) program; (2) prohibition of State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (3) certain demonstration grants to private nonprofit organizations or educational institutions for elementary school curriculum food and nutrition projects; (4) aspects of summer food service programs, reducing payment rates and daily meals at camps, reducing the National Youth Sports Program, and revising nutritional standards compliance requirements; (5) certain commodity distribution program requirements, including State Advisory Councils; (6) expansion of the child care food program; (7) adult care food aid to adult day care centers and services for persons over 60; (8) certain pilot projects, including one for paperwork reduction; and (9) an information clearinghouse. (Sec. 3401) Includes in the definition of child any individual with one or more mental or physical disabilities, regardless of age, who attends a specified type of institution, or any nonresidential public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, in order to participate in a school program for such individuals. (Sec. 3402) Revises nutritional and other program requirements. (Sec. 3423) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to revise the school breakfast program: (1) eliminating Federal assistance for food preparation training and program expansion and start-up costs; (2) repealing certain authorities and requirements relating to State administrative expenses (SAE); (3) repealing the prohibition against State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; and (4) repealing the program of cash grants for nutrition education. (Sec. 3429) Revises the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), among other things repealing specified requirements and changing from mandatory to optional: (1) drug abuse education; and (2) provision of WIC information in languages other than English. (Sec. 3431) Makes the Nutrition and Education program discretionary rather than mandatory. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Related Provisions - Requires the HHS Secretary to produce and publish specified types of data relating to the incidence of poverty in the United States at least every two years. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3502) Expresses the sense of the Congress that this title, and the amendments it makes, should not result in an increase in the number of children who are hungry, homeless, poor, or medically uninsured. (Sec. 3503) Requires the Congress, in the event that the above-mentioned increase results by the end of the FY 1997, to: (1) revisit this title, or the amendments it has made, which caused such increase; and (2) as soon as practicable thereafter, pass legislation that stops the continuation of such increase. Title IV: Committee on Ways and Means: Welfare Reform - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (sic) - Subtitle A: Block Grants For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are important Government interests. (Sec. 4103) Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a single program of block grants to the States for operating statewide temporary assistance (TANF) programs with certain mandatory work, education, and job preparation requirements for needy families either already with or expecting a child, which are designed to assist such families in becoming self-sufficient. Limits such families generally to no more than five years of TANF cash assistance, with certain exceptions for minor children, battered family members, and hardship situations. Requires that families include either a minor child who resides with a custodial parent or other adult caretaker relative or a pregnant individual in order to receive TANF assistance. Prohibits additional cash TANF assistance for children born into families already on TANF assistance (with certain exceptions for: (1) children born into families with no other children; (2) vouchers provided in lieu of cash benefits that are only good for particular goods and services suitable for child care; and (3) children born as a result of rape or incest), unless the particular State exempts itself from such prohibition. Denies TANF assistance in cases where an individual family member is a fugitive felon or a probation or parole violator, and in certain other specified situations as well. Requires States receiving TANF grants to ensure: (1) that each TANF recipient is eligible for Medicaid or other specified medical assistance, if applicable, to the extent that the recipient's health care costs are not covered by other health insurance; and (2) that certain other families becoming TEA-ineligible due to increased earnings from employment or collection of child support receive similar medical assistance during the immediately succeeding 12-month period. Allows States receiving TANF grants used to provide assistance for any individual who is receiving benefits, or on behalf of whom benefits are paid, under a State old-age, foster care, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) plan to disregard such assistance payment in determining the amount of TANF assistance to be provided under the State TANF program to the family of which the individuals a member. Requires, in addition, certain adult-supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents. Provides for the exchange of certain TANF program information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. Establishes penalties for States and individual families for specified grant and program violations, respectively, through reduced grants and assistance payments, allowing States to terminate such payments to certain adult family members without small children needing child care who refuse to: (1) engage in work, educational, or job preparation activities (required program activities); or (2) cooperate with the State in establishing paternity or obtaining child support unless the member qualifies for a good cause or other exception. Provides for a separate reduction in State family assistance grant payments for States failing to comply with Federal requirements under SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) pertaining to paternity establishment and child support enforcement. Sets forth the mechanism for State appeal of Federal adverse decisions with respect to State plans or imposition of penalties, providing for advance notification of any program violation and the opportunity for a State to correct it before any such penalty is imposed. Limits the amount of any penalty reduction in the State's quarterly family assistance grant payment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that State TANF programs should: (1) assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and in single-parent families with older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in required program activities; and (2) require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents under age 18 to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. Specifies State TANF plan contents, including provisions for numeric goals for reducing illegitimacy in the State over a specified ten year period beginning in 1996, and certain certifications by the State that it will operate child support enforcement and protection programs, in order for it to be eligible (according to certain other criteria as well) to receive Federal grants for its TANF programs (family assistance grants). Allows the States to decide in their TANF plans: (1) whether or not they intend on providing TANF assistance to aliens; and (2) how to treat families moving interstate. Provides for: (1) the allowable uses of quarterly family assistance grants, family planning services and assistance to low income households in meeting home heating and cooling costs (but prohibiting their use for medical services generally); (2) additional grants to States as rewards for reductions in illegitimate births and for high performance under the TANF program, as well as supplemental grants to certain States for population increases; and (3) a Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs (Contingency Fund) in the Treasury for payments to certain eligible States. Makes appropriations for such grants and the Contingency Fund. Sets up a Federal loan program for State TANF programs for anti-fraud and other specified activities, making necessary appropriations. Outlines specific program data collection and reporting requirements, as well as certain research, evaluation, and study requirements. Makes applicable appropriations. Provides for direct funding, by way of three-year tribal family assistance grants, to Indian tribes (with a special rule for Indian tribes in Alaska) with approved tribal family assistance plans. Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to implement and evaluate demonstrations of innovative and promising strategies which: (1) provide one-time capital funds to establish, expand, or replicate programs; (2) test performance-based grant-to-loan financing in which programs meeting performance targets receive grants while programs not meeting such targets repay funding on a prorated basis; and (3) test strategies in multiple States and types of communities. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation to obtain information that will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the changes made by this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State programs. Provides for the treatment of existing State AFDC waivers in effect on the date of enactment of this Act and those granted subsequently. Makes the Assistant Secretary of HHS for Family Support the official responsible for administering SSA title IV part A and D programs. Eliminates certain child care programs under SSA title IV part A, including the at-risk child care program. (Sec. 4104) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, and private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified under titles I, II, and VI of this Act. Prohibits the expenditure of financial assistance for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization. (Sec. 4105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to expand census data collection efforts to enable the Bureau of the Census to collect statistically significant data on grandparent caregivers. (Sec. 4106) Requires an HHS report to the Congress on State automated data processing systems used in administering TANF programs to determine what would be required to establish a system for tracking public program participants and checking case records to determine if such participants are participating in public programs of two or more States. (Sec. 4107) Details requirements for a similar report, and study, on alternative outcomes measures for evaluating the success of the States in moving individuals off welfare through employment. (Sec. 4108) Makes conforming amendments to SSA, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. (Sec. 4111) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner) to: (1) develop a prototype counterfeit-resistant social security card; and (2) study and report to the Congress on improving the social security card application process. (Sec. 4112) Requires any organization accepting Federal funds under this title or any amendments made by it (other than funds provided under SSA titles IV, XVI, or XX) to disclose that fact in any communication it makes that in any way intends to promote public support or opposition to any Federal, State, or local government policy through any broadcasting station, periodical, or other specified type of general public advertising. Makes any organization failing to make such a disclosure ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act. (Sec. 4113) Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to remove the "demonstration" status of the Job Opportunities for Certain Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program and give it an increased annual authorization. Subtitle B: Supplemental Security Income - Amends SSA title XVI to deny SSI for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. Denies SSI for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Provides for the exchange of certain SSI information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. (Sec. 4203) Revises the treatment afforded prisoners with regard to SSI and (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance)OASDI benefits to: (1) deny SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained SSI benefits while in prison; (2) eliminate the OASDI requirement that confinement stem from a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; and (3) authorize the Commissioner to contract with any interested State or local institutions used to confine prisoners for monthly reports of certain identifying information in order to enforce SSI and OASDI benefit limitations, and pay such institution a specified fee with regard to each SSI- or OASDI-eligible inmate identified who becomes ineligible for such benefit as a result of such reporting. Requires the Commissioner to study and report to the Congress on other specified potential improvements in the collection of information respecting public inmates. (Sec. 4204) Makes certain changes respecting the effective date of applications for SSI benefits. (Sec. 4211) Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Modifies medical improvement review standards, specifically dividing their applicability to, and creating separate criteria for individuals aged 18 or older, and individuals under age 18, respectively. Provides that once an eligible child meets the definition of disability, the amount of the individual's cash benefit will be based on whether or not the child meets criteria for needing personal assistance enabling the child to stay at home with his or her family. Authorizes additional appropriations for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations under SSA title XVI. (Sec. 4212) Provides that at least once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained age 18 and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which is likely to improve (or, at the Commissioner's option, is unlikely to improve). Requires a representative payee of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present, at the time of review, evidence demonstrating that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, for the condition which was the basis for providing benefits under the SSI program. Provides that if the representative payee refuses to comply without good cause with such requirement, the Commissioner shall, if in the individual's best interest, promptly suspend payment of benefits to the representative payee, and provide for payment of benefits to an alternative representative payee or, if the interest of the individual would be served thereby, to the individual. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one-year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Specifies requirements governing continuing disability reviews for low-birth-weight babies. (Sec. 4213) Revises provisions regarding the disposal of resources for less than fair market value by certain individuals and appropriate notification of Medicaid. Provides for the treatment of assets held in trust by individuals who have not attained age 18 and any earnings resulting from such trust. Requires representative payees of eligible individuals below age 18 to establish financial institution accounts on their behalf into which SSI payments shall be paid. Allows representative payees to use funds in the account to pay for certain allowable expenses. Directs the Commissioner to establish a system for accountability monitoring whereby a representative payee shall report on activities respecting funds in the account. (Sec. 4214) Reduces cash SSI payments to institutionalized children whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. (Sec. 4221) Provides for installment payment of large amounts of past-due SSI benefits, and the recovery of SSI overpayments from social security benefits. (Sec. 4225) Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. (Sec. 4231) Requires the Commissioner to prepare an annual report for the President and the Congress on the SSI program, and make appropriate arrangements for a study of the disability determination process under SSA titles II and XVI for any needed changes. (Sec. 4233) Outlines the requirements for a General Accounting Office study and report on the impact of this subtitle on the SSI program and on the extra expenses incurred by families of children receiving benefits under such program that are not covered by other Federal, State, or local programs. (Sec. 4241) Establishes the National Commission on the Future of Disability to develop and carry out a comprehensive study of all matters related to the nature, purpose, and adequacy of all Federal programs serving individuals with disabilities in order to develop appropriate recommendations for any needed legislation or administrative action. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Child Support - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spacial support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 4302) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 4303) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification to services applicants or recipients of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. (Sec. 4311) Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 4312) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in determining whether to comply with the Social Security Act by either establishing a single, centralized unit for support payment collection and disbursement, or by linking together through automation local units, a State should choose the method of compliance which best meets the needs of parents, employers, and children. (Sec. 4313) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 4314) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 4315) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 4316) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. Requires the Secretaries of Labor and of HHS to jointly develop cost-effective methods of accessing information in the various State directories of new hires and the National Directory of New Hires (established under this Act), taking into account impact and cost to the States, and the need to insure authorized use of wage record information. (Sec. 4317) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased persons (on death records). (Sec. 4321) Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 4323) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. (Sec. 4331) Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 4333) Requires State plans for child and spacial support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. (Sec. 4341) Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 4342) Requires a State plan for child and spacial support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spacial support, and parent location. (Sec. 4344) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 4345) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 4351) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 4352) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 4353) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. (Sec. 4361) Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 4362) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 4364) Requires a State plan for child and spacial support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 4365) Requires a State plan for child and spacial support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support participate in appropriate work activities; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of a non-custodial parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 4370) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 4371) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of Health and Human Services as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 4372) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each non-custodial parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 4373) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 4374) Amends Federal bankruptcy law and the Social Security Act to declare a debt for child support nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 4376) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 4377) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. (Sec. 4381) Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate non-custodial parents' access to their children. Subtitle D: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens - Declares that: (1) it is a compelling government interest to enact new rules for eligibility and sponsorship agreements in order to assure that aliens be self-reliant in accordance with national immigration policy; and (2) it is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits. (Sec. 4401) Prohibits Federal public benefits (as defined by this Act) to aliens who are not qualified aliens (as defined by this Act). Stipulates that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) emergency medical services; (2) certain emergency disaster relief; (3) public health immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases; (4) housing assistance; (5) certain in-kind community services; and (6) Social Security Act benefits under specified circumstances. (Sec. 4402) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions for refugees, asylees, certain permanent residents, veterans and active duty personnel, aliens whose deportation is withheld, and aliens currently receiving benefits) for: (1) supplemental security income (SSI); (2) food stamps; (3) temporary assistance for needy families; (4) social services block grants; and (5) Medicaid. (Sec. 4403) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions for refugees, asylees, and veterans and active duty personnel) for Federal means-tested public benefits (as defined by this Act) for the first five years after U.S. entry. (Sec. 4404) Requires each Federal agency administering a program covered by this title to post information and provide general notification to the public and program recipients, either directly or through the States, of the requirements concerning alien eligibility for any such program pursuant to this title. Amends the Social Security Act and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for State reporting of certain illegal alien information to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (Sec. 4411) Makes an alien who is not a qualified alien, a nonimmigrant, or a parolee ineligible for State or local benefits (as defined by this Act). Stipulates that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) emergency medical services; (2) certain emergency disaster relief; (3) public health immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases; and (4) certain in-kind community services. (Sec. 4412) Authorizes States to determine eligibility for State public means-tested benefits for qualified aliens, nonimmigrants, or parolees. States that refugees, asylees, certain permanent residents, and veterans and active duty personnel shall be eligible for all State public benefits. (Sec. 4421) Provides that in determining the eligibility and the amount of benefits of any alien for Federal any means-tested public benefits program the income and resources of the alien shall be deemed to include: (1) the income and resources of any person who executed an affidavit of support on the alien's behalf; and (2) the income and resources of the person's spouse (if any). Applies such requirement with respect to an alien until such time as the alien achieves U.S. citizenship through naturalization or has worked without public assistance for a specified time. (Sec. 4422) Authorizes States to make similar attributions with respect to State programs (with specified exceptions). (Sec. 4423) Sets forth requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. (Sec. 4424) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require sponsor cosignature of certain alien student loans. (Sec. 4431) Defines qualified alien to be: (1) a lawful permanent resident; (2) an asylee; (3) a refugee; (4) a parolee; (5) an alien under withheld deportation; and (6) an alien granted conditional entry. (Sec. 4432) Requires the Attorney General to promulgate regulations regarding alien eligibility for Federal public benefits. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4441) Makes conforming amendments related to assisted housing under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 4451) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer to provide his or her social security number in order to qualify for the earned income credit. Subtitle E: Reform of Public Housing - Prohibits an individual from receiving an increased benefit under a means-tested welfare or public assistance program due to fraud-reduced income under another such program. Subtitle F: Child Protection Block Grant Programs and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance and Independent Living Programs - Replaces SSA title IV-B (Child Welfare Services) with a program of block grants to the States to implement: (1) child protection programs with respect to child abuse and neglect; and (2) child protection. (Sec. 4701) Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) shall: (1) establish a national data collection and analysis program to coordinate existing State child abuse and neglect reports; and (2) implement a data collection system regarding adoption and foster care. Authorizes appropriations for child welfare studies and for assessment of State courts improvement of foster care and adoption proceedings. (Sec. 4711) Makes conforming amendments to Title IV-E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance). Delineates requirements for State eligibility for Federal payments for foster care maintenance and adoption assistance. Sets forth guidelines for payments and allotments to the States for adoption assistance, foster care, and independent living programs (designed to assist children who have attained age 16 to make the transition from foster care to independent living). (Sec. 4722) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should: (1) allocate sufficient funds for adoption and medical assistance to encourage child adoption; (2) offer incentives to make adoption of special needs children more affordable for middle-class families; (3) provide a child that must be removed from its biological parents with a single foster care placement and single coordinated case team, including conclusion of adoption within one year of such child's foster care placement; and (4) participate in programs to enable maximum visibility of waiting children to potential parents. (Sec. 4751) (This section is almost identical to Title III, Subtitle B.) Renames the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as the Child and Family Services Block Grant Act of 1996. Changes the purposes of the Act to emphasize assistance to each State in improving child protective service systems. Delineates criteria governing State eligibility for Federal block grants for: (1) child and family services; and (2) research, demonstrations, training, and technical assistance. Abolishes the current Federal program, including the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, community-based family resource programs, temporary child care for children with disabilities, crisis nursery demonstration programs, certain preventive services for children of homeless families or families at risk of homelessness, and requirements for criminal background checks for child care providers. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) establish a national child abuse and neglect data collection and analysis program (in addition to the current national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse); and (2) provide technical and training assistance to the States for child abuse and neglect programs and for adoption opportunities. Mandates peer review for such grants. Instructs the Secretary to conduct a national random sample study of children at risk of child abuse or neglect. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2002, including grants for demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in developing programs related to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases. Requires any State requesting such assistance to establish a multidisciplinary task force on children's justice to study administrative, civil, and criminal judicial handling of such cases, and make recommendations which the State must adopt (or equivalent alternatives). Subtitle G: Child Care (Almost identical to Title III, Subtitle C.) - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments Act of 1996 - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (the Act, for purposes of this title). Sets forth goals for State child care assistance. (Sec. 4803) Amends Part A of title IV (TANF) of the Social Security Act to entitle each State to payments for providing child care assistance. (Sec. 4804) Authorizes the State lead agency to administer the financial assistance it receives through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies. (Sec. 4805) Revises State application and plan requirements with respect to consumer education information, State licensing compliance, meeting the needs of AFDC or TANF recipients (especially those attempting through work activities to leave the assistance program) and those at risk of becoming dependent on assistance, and assistance for certain low-income working families. (Sec. 4807) Reduces from 20 percent to three percent the minimum amount of certain funds available for State activities to improve the quality of child care, limited to: (1) comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public; (2) activities increasing parental choice; and (3) activities designed to improve child care quality and availability. (Sec. 4808) Repeals a requirement that States expend a specified minimum amount of reserved funds for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. (Sec. 4813) Reduces the allotment reserved for Indian tribes or tribal organizations from three percent to one percent. Prescribes guidelines for the use of such allotment for facility repair and construction. (Sec. 4815) Repeals: (1) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985; (2) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; (3) specified programs under title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (4) the Native Hawaiian Family-based Education Centers program under the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Subtitle H: Miscellaneous - Subjects any funds received by a State under provisions of law relating to block grants for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) under part A of SSA title IV, optional State food assistance block grant under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and block grants for child care under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to appropriation by the State legislature, consistent with the terms and conditions required under such provisions of law. (Sec. 4902) Provides that States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from testing welfare recipients for use of controlled substances nor from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances. (Sec. 4903) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for a reduction in funding for block grants under such program. (Sec. 4904) Amends Internal Revenue Code rules relating to denial of earned income credit for individuals having excessive investment income to: (1) reduce from $2,350 to $2,250 the disqualified income threshold; (2) revise the adjustment for inflation; (3) make disqualified income any capital gain net income and aggregate gains from all passive activities; (4) modify adjusted gross income for the earned income credit to exclude specified losses;; and (5) revise the formula for the earned income credit amount and initial credit phaseout.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Domestic Preparedness Title II: Interdiction of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Related Materials Title III: Control and Disposition of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Related Materials Threatening the United States Title IV: Coordination of Policy and Countermeasures Against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Title V: Miscellaneous Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 - Title I: Domestic Preparedness - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to carry out a civilian training program regarding emergency responses to a use or threatened use of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) or related materials. Authorizes the President to designate another agency head to assume responsibility for such program on or after October 1, 1999. Provides funding and earmarks a specified amount of such funds to assist the U.S. Surgeon General in the establishment of metropolitan emergency medical response teams. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to designate a department official to coordinate assistance to Federal, State, and local officials in response to threats involving biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons or related materials or technologies. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Secretary, upon request of the Attorney General, to provide assistance in support of Department of Justice activities during an emergency situation involving a biological or chemical WMD. Directs the President to take reasonable measures to reduce the reliance of civilian law enforcement officials on Department of Defense (DOD) resources to counter the threat posed by the use or potential use of biological and chemical WMDs within the United States. Requires reports from the President to the Congress on the policy functions and operational roles of Federal agencies in countering such a threat. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program for testing and improving the response of Federal, State, and local agencies to emergencies involving biological and chemical weapons and related materials. Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop and carry out an identical program with respect to nuclear and radiological weapons and related materials. Title II: Interdiction of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Related Materials - Earmarks funds for the procurement of equipment capable of detecting and interdicting the movement of WMDs and related materials into the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to make such equipment available to the Commissioner of Customs for such use. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to be the lead Government official for coordinating the Federal research and development (R&D) on technical means for detecting the presence, or illegal transportation, production, or use, of materials and technologies that may be used to make a biological or chemical weapon as well as materials and technologies that are suitable for use in making such a weapon. Directs the Secretary of Energy to be the lead official in the same capacity with respect to nuclear or radiological weapons and related materials and technologies. Requires specified consultation. Provides funding for each R&D program. (Sec. 203) Amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to state that the President does not have the power to investigate, regulate, or prohibit the attempted importation from any country, or exportation, of: (1) property in which any foreign country or national has an interest; or (2) specified information or informational materials. (Sec. 204) Urges the United States Sentencing Commission to increase the penalties for offenses relating to the importation and exportation of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or related materials or technologies. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to carry out programs for assisting customs and border guard officials in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, the Baltic states, and other Eastern European countries in preventing the unauthorized transfer and transportation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and related materials. Provides funding. Title III: Control and Disposition of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Related Materials Threatening the United States - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide assistance for securing from theft or other unauthorized disposition nuclear materials that are located at any site within the former Soviet Union where effective security controls are not in place. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified assistance under the DOD Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program for securing from theft or other unauthorized disposition, or for destroying, nuclear, radiological, biological, or chemical weapons that are located within the former Soviet Union and are not secure. Provides funding for each program. (Sec. 302) Earmarks funds for cooperative activities with Russia for the development of nuclear weapons dismantlement, conversion, and verification technology. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to include the elimination, and safe transportation and storage, of fissile materials suitable for use in nuclear weapons as an authorized purpose under the CTR program. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to develop a cooperative program with Russia to eliminate the production of weapons grade plutonium through the replacement of certain reactors. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary of Energy to expand the Industrial Partnership Program of the Department of Energy (DOE) to include coverage of all of the independent states of the former Soviet Union. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to support the dismantlement, or conversion to nondefense purposes, of the biological and chemical weapons facilities in such states. Provides funding. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to expand the DOE Lab-to-Lab program to improve the safety and security of nuclear materials in those states of the former Soviet Union where such program is not currently being carried out. Provides funding. (Sec. 306) Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for carrying out U.S. cooperative activities with Russia on improving the security of highly enriched uranium used for propulsion of Russian military and civilian ships. (Sec. 307) Earmarks funds for expanding military-to-military programs of the United States that focus on countering the threats of proliferation of WMDs so as to include the security forces of independent states of the former Soviet Union. (Sec. 308) Provides funds transfer authority for the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy with respect to programs authorized under title I. Title IV: Coordination of Policy and Countermeasures Against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Directs the President to designate an individual in the Executive Office of the President to serve as the National Coordinator for Nonproliferation Matters. Requires the senior directors of the National Security Council (NSC) to report to the Coordinator regarding specified nonproliferation matters. Earmarks funds for nonproliferation research efforts. (Sec. 402) Establishes within the NSC the Committee on Nonproliferation to review and coordinate, and make recommendations to the President regarding, Federal programs, policies, and directives relating to the proliferation of WMDs and related materials and technologies, including matters relating to terrorism and international organized crime. (Sec. 403) Directs the President to develop, and report to the Congress on, a comprehensive program for carrying out this Act. (Sec. 404) Provides that, after September 30, 1999, the President: (1) is not required to maintain a Coordinator; and (2) may terminate the Committee. Title V: Miscellaneous - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, the Treasury, and State should contract directly with suppliers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union to facilitate the purchase of goods and services necessary to carry out programs for the control and disposition of WMDs and related materials threatening the United States. (Sec. 502) Allows funds authorized under a prior-year defense authorization Act for CTR programs to be used for any such purposes without regard to program allocation requirements set forth in such Act. (Sec. 503) Authorizes assistance from CTR and other programs to additional states of the former Soviet Union other than Russia, Ukraine, Kazakstan, and Belarus, as long as the President certifies to the Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interest to do so. (Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. allies and other nations should participate in efforts to ensure that stockpiles of weapons-grade nuclear material are reduced. Urges the Secretary of State to encourage other countries to purchase low-enriched uranium that is derived from highly-enriched uranium extracted from Russian nuclear weapons. (Sec. 505) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, the Treasury, and State should purchase, package, and transport to secure locations weapons-grade nuclear materials from a stockpile when there is a significant risk of the theft of such materials. (Sec. 506) Reduces by: (1) $150 million the total amount authorized to be appropriated to the Navy for FY 1997 for research, development, test, and evaluation; and (2) $85 million the amount authorized to be appropriated to DOE for FY 1997 for national defense programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a private foundation making an employer-related grant from the excise tax on taxable expenditures when an individual scholarship or fellowship grant made by such a foundation is made on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis and is made pursuant to a qualified employer-related grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Additional Empowerment Zones Title II: New Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Title III: Expensing of Environmental Remediation Costs Title I: Additional Empowerment Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from: (1) 9 to 11 the number of areas which may be designated as empowerment zones; (2) six to eight the number of such zones which may be in urban areas; and (3) 750,000 to 1,000,000 the aggregate population allowable in all urban area zones. Title II: New Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities - Permits, before January 1, 1998, the designation, in the aggregate of an additional: (1) 80 nominated areas as enterprise communities; and (2) 20 nominated areas as empowerment zones, subject to availability of eligible nominated areas. Modifies eligibility criteria. Prohibits: (1) applying the employment credit to the new empowerment zones; and (2) in certain developable sites, application of increased expensing provisions for certain depreciable business assets. Modifies provisions concerning: (1) enterprise facility zone bonds; and (2) the enterprise zone business definition. Title III: Expensing of Environmental Remediation Costs - Permits a taxpayer to expense any defined qualified environmental remediation expenditure which is not chargeable to capital account.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to revise the formula for the extended benefits trigger. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to require increases and decreases in the earnings allocated to State accounts when States meet or fail to meet funding goals. Amends SSA to restrict interest-free advances to State accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund to States which meet funding goals. Amends Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions relating to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act to allow certified States to elect to collect Federal unemployment taxes. Amends IRC provisions relating to approval of State laws to require States to distribute to unemployed individuals State-specific information packets explaining unemployment insurance eligibility conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Small Business Act Title II: Amendments to Small Business Investment Act Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a loan risk management data base capable of providing timely and accurate information for identifying loan underwriting, collections, recovery, and liquidation problems. Outlines information to be maintained in such database. Provides deadlines for database operational capability. (Sec. 103) Allows the Administrator to designate as a certified lender only a lender who has made in each of the preceding two fiscal years: (1) eight or more loans to non-rural small businesses; and (2) four or more loans to rural small businesses. Provides for suspension and revocation of such designation. Allows such lenders to use uniform and simplified loan forms. Prohibits more than ten percent of the total small business loans guaranteed by the SBA in a fiscal year from being awarded as part of an SBA pilot program. States that the Administrator may not prohibit a lender from securitizing the non-guaranteed portion of any SBA loan. Limits the service fees to be paid to the lender in the event of SBA payment of a claim under an SBA-guaranteed loan. Provides for appropriate interest payments for banks or other institutions making a claim for payment on such a loan. Directs the Administrator to: (1) complete the transfer of SBA loan servicing functions from district offices to centralized loan servicing centers; and (2) implement the Preferred Lender standard review program. Requires the Administrator to conduct, through a private contractor, a comprehensive assessment of the performance of SBA small business loan programs, addressing specified matters, including default rates. Requires a report concerning such assessment: (1) from the contractor to the Administrator; and (2) from the Administrator to the small business committees. (Sec. 104) Amends the SBA disaster loan program to provide a revised interest rate for disasters commencing after October 1, 1996. Directs the Administrator to carry out, and report to the Congress on, a pilot program under which the servicing of not less than 20 percent of the total portfolio of such disaster loans will be carried out by one or more private entities under contract with the SBA. (Sec. 105) Revises the technical assistance grant and spending limitation requirements under the Microloan Demonstration Program (a program providing grants to women, low-income, and other underprivileged and minority businesses). (Sec. 106) Amends the Small Business Development Center Program to: (1) remove the requirement that such centers be located at institutions of higher education after a specified date; (2) allow such centers to charge fees of up to $15 per hour for their services; (3) provide that the Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers shall be responsible for the management and administration of such program and shall not be subject to the approval or concurrence of SBA officials; (4) replace references to the Deputy Associate Administrator of the Small Business Development Center program and the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management Assistance with references to the Associate Administrator; and (5) prohibit the SBA, after FY 2000, from renewing or extending any cooperative agreement with a center that has not been approved under a certification program. Provides for a waiver of such prohibition by the Associate Administrator when the center is making a good faith effort to obtain certification. (Sec. 107) Terminates after October 1, 1996 (currently, October 1, 1997) SBA authority to provide grants for demonstration projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Administrator to foreclose a mortgage upon a breach of a covenant or condition in a debt instrument or mortgage if such instrument or mortgage authorizes acceleration or foreclosure. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) designation of a foreclosure trustee (including the authority to designate multiple trustees and to remove any such trustee); (2) required legal notice of a foreclosure sale; (3) foreclosure sale cancellation; (4) stay (suspension) of foreclosure proceedings; (5) conduct of a foreclosure sale, including bidding requirements; (6) transfer of title and possession following a foreclosure sale; (7) a recital by the foreclosure trustee in the foreclosure purchaser's deed which records the date, time, place, and purchaser with respect to the foreclosure sale; (8) legal effects of such sale; (9) disposition of sale proceeds; and (10) deficiency judgment actions against a former debtor after a foreclosure sale if the sale price is insufficient for the unpaid balance of the secured debt. (Sec. 109) Repeals miscellaneous SBA authorities to provide loans and other financial assistance under the Act. (Sec. 110) Amends the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to: (1) extend such Program through FY 2000; (2) revise the establishment and termination dates of a simplified data collection system under such Program; (3) include surveying, mapping, and landscape architecture within the architectural and engineering services covered under the Program; (4) revise the enhanced goals for designated industry groups for architectural and engineering services; (5) reserve from publication a section concerning special assistance for emerging small businesses; and (6) extend reporting requirements under the Program to conform with the Program's extension. (Sec. 111) Repeals on September 29, 1996, a provision of the Small Business Guaranteed Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 which was to repeal, on September 30, 1996, provisions of such Act relating to the authority of the SBA to impose secondary marketing fees and to reduce loan guarantee percentages. Title II: Amendments to Small Business Investment Act - Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the development company debenture program be require that not less than 50 percent of the total cost of plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion projects under such program be derived from State or local governments, banks or other financial institutions, foundations or other nonprofit institutions, or the small business concern receiving assistance through a body authorized under the program. Provides specified requirements with respect to the funding derived from a participating small business concern. Increases the loan guarantee fee authorized to be collected by the SBA for development company debentures. Authorizes the SBA to: (1) impose a one-time participation fee on all participating institutions named above other than a small business concern; and (2) collect annually from each development company a specified percentage of the outstanding balance of any debenture guaranteed by the SBA. (Sec. 203) Provides required actions upon default of a debenture guaranteed by the SBA, including purchase or acceleration of the debenture and prepayment penalties. (Sec. 204) Directs the Administrator to carry out a loan liquidation pilot program with respect to no more than 35 and no less than 15 development companies authorized to make loans and issue debentures under the Act. Authorizes participating development companies, as part of the pilot program, to perform all liquidation and foreclosure functions with respect to loans guaranteed by the SBA. Outlines SBA authority under the pilot program. Requires a report from the Administrator to the small business committees on the pilot program. (Sec. 205) Amends a provision of the Act relating to the registration of certificates representing ownership of a portion of one or more SBA-guaranteed small business loans to state that nothing shall prohibit the utilization of a book entry or other electronic form of registration for such certificates. Authorizes the Administrator to use the book-entry system of the Federal Reserve System. Provides identical book-entry authority (without reference to the use of the Federal Reserve System) for certificates sold under the small business investment company program and the development company program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
Veterans Nursing Care Availability Act of 1996 - Revises the manner by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to rank applicants for grants under the State home construction grant program (a program providing grants to States for the construction of veterans' nursing homes). Prohibits any State from being awarded more than one such grant during any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Effective Compassion Subtitle A: Charity Tax Credit Subtitle B: Other Provisions Title II: Community Empowerment Subtitle A: Education Subtitle B: Restitution and Responsibility Subtitle C: Independence Subtitle D: Housing Title III: Other American Renewal Incentives Subtitle A: Housing Subtitle B: Responsible Parenting Subtitle C: Character Development Subtitle D: Family Reconciliation Subtitle E: Mentor Schools Subtitle F: Role Models Academy Subtitle G: Kinship Care Project for American Renewal Act - Title I: Effective Compassion - Subtitle A: Charity Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a credit for charitable contributions, which shall be in lieu of any deduction for such contributions, equal to the sum of: (1) 100 percent of contributions not exceeding $100; and (2) 90 percent of contributions in excess of $100 up to a maximum dollar amount of $500. Provides for a study of such credit. (Sec. 111) Repeals the earned income credit for individuals without children. (Sec. 112) Requires reports from the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on changes in laws which would reduce corporate tax subsidies sufficient to raise specified amounts of revenues. (Sec. 121) Provides for the authorization of appropriations under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 regardless of whether payments to the States provisions of part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act are repealed. (Sec. 131) Provides for reductions in amounts paid to each State under the AFDC program. (Sec. 132) Repeals title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 141) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to reduce community development block grants. (Sec. 142) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to repeal title II (HOME Investment Partnerships Act). Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Creates a tax credit of $500 for each eligible individual for the home care of: (1) unmarried pregnant women; (2) hospice care patients, including AIDS and cancer patients; (3) homeless individuals; and (4) battered women and battered women with children. (Sec. 152) Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) deem specified free clinic health professionals providing qualifying health services as employees of the Public Health Service; and (2) provide such health professionals with specified limited legal liability. Authorizes appropriations for making payment for judgments against the United States pursuant to this section for the acts or omissions of such professionals. Requires a report to the Congress concerning such judgments. (Sec. 153) Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and carry out a competitive grant program to provide funding to States and communities to: (1) establish an information network to enhance coordination of matches between various nonprofit organizations and electing AFDC families or nonviolent criminal offenders; (2) hire staff to coordinate such matches; and (3) disseminate information about such program. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the establishment of a national information clearinghouse concerning such program. Title II: Community Empowerment - Subtitle A: Education - Educational Choice and Equity Act of 1995 - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities for at least 100 demonstration projects under which low-income parents receive education certificates for the costs of enrolling their eligible children in a choice school. Reserves funds for the Comptroller General to evaluate such projects. Requires each participating school to comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. (Sec. 206) Requires such projects to involve: (1) at least one local educational agency (LEA) that receives a concentration grant under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and meets other specified criteria; and (2) a sufficient number of public and private choice schools, in the Secretary's judgment, to allow for a valid demonstration project. Requires priority be given to projects: (1) in which choice schools offer an enrollment opportunity to the broadest range of eligible children; (2) that involve diverse types of choice schools; and (3) that will contribute to geographic diversity of grant awards. Subtitle B: Restitution and Responsibility - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to enable the States to: (1) collect data on victim restitution over a specified period; (2) create or expand automated data systems to track restitution payments; (3) make improvements in the manner in which restitution is ordered and collected; and (4) enhance and expand methods of enforcement of restitution orders. (Sec. 211) Requires a State, to be eligible, to certify that it has a victim advocacy program that provides assistance to crime victims throughout the judicial process and provides courts with a victim impact statement prior to sentencing. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Independence - Provides for the establishment of demonstration projects designed to determine: (1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets; (2) the extent to which an asset-based welfare policy that promotes saving for education, home ownership, and microenterprises may be used to enable individuals and families with low income to achieve economic self-sufficiency; and (3) the extent to which an asset-based welfare policy improves the community in which participating individuals and families live. (Sec. 222) Requires each qualified not-for-profit organization or State or local government agency receiving a grant to establish a Reserve Fund. Specifies income and net worth tests for individuals eligible for assistance under a demonstration project. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 223) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for contributions to an individual development account by or on behalf of a qualified individual. Limits such contributions to $2,000 per year, and qualified expenses to: (1) postsecondary educational expenses; (2) a first-home purchase; and (3) business capitalization. Excludes distributions for such purposes from gross income. Exempts such accounts from taxation, except the tax on unrelated business income. Disregards funds in an individual development account of a demonstration project participant for purposes of all means-tested Federal programs. Subtitle D: Housing - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to transfer ownership (after satisfying any indebtedness) of unoccupied and substandard public housing units to the appropriate local governmental entities. Grants the appropriate community development corporations a six-month right of subsequent first purchase. (Sec. 233) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide maternal health certificates to eligible pregnant women for maternity home expenses. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 237) Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants for State maternity care programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 241) Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for rehabilitation of structures for use as maternity housing and services facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 248) Directs the Secretary to evaluate and report on programs under this part. Prohibits funds under this part from being used to promote or perform abortions or abortion counseling. Title III: Other American Renewal Incentives - Subtitle A: Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to reserve a specified percentage of public housing units for legally married families. Subtitle B: Responsible Parenting - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for various specified program changes, including: (1) an increase in funding, as well as a corresponding increase in Federal set-asides; (2) provision and promotion of sexual abstinence and adoption-related services; (3) prohibitions on the use of funds for family planning services in schools and for programs or projects that provide abortions or abortion counseling or referral; (4) additional application requirements related to maximizing the role of families and religious and charitable organizations in solving problems relating to parenthood or adolescent pregnancies; and (5) new reporting requirements for the State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services involving State activities in connection with program services relating to abstinence and adoption. (Sec. 318) Amends the Public Health Service Act to repeal certain programs and demonstration projects related to population research and voluntary family planning as well as adolescent family life. Subtitle C: Character Development - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award: (1) mentor program grants to eligible local educational agencies to establish mentoring programs designed to link individual at-risk youth with responsible, individual adults who serve as mentors; and (2) implementation and evaluation grants to national organizations or agencies serving youth to conduct a multisite demonstration project, involving five to ten project sites, develop and evaluate screening standards for school-linked mentoring programs, and develop and evaluate volunteer recruitment activities for school-linked mentoring programs. (Sec. 325) Sets forth permitted and prohibited uses of grant funds awarded under this Act. (Sec. 326) Directs the Secretary to develop and distribute to eligible local educational agencies receiving a mentor program grant specific model guidelines for the screening of mentors. (Sec. 330) Authorizes appropriations for Mentoring Program Grants and Implementation and Evaluation Grants. Subtitle D: Family Reconciliation - Amends part B (Child-Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act with regard to family preservation and support services to create certain set-asides for States with approved family reconciliation plans which require a minimum 60-day waiting period and participation in counseling programs before final dissolution of a marriage involving one or more children under age 12. (Sec. 332) Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit the use of funds under that Act for legal assistance in certain actions relating to divorces or separations except where there is court-determined spousal abuse. Subtitle E: Mentor Schools - Mentor Schools Act - Amends the Education Amendments Act of 1972 to provide that nothing in specified provisions of such Act shall be construed to prohibit the establishment or operation of a same gender public elementary or secondary school if: (1) comparable courses, services and facilities are available to students of each sex; and (2) the same policies and criteria for admission to such schools are used for both sexes. Subtitle F: Role Models Academy - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program under which a four-year, residential, military-style academy (the Role Models Academy) is established which: (1) shall offer at-risk youth secondary school coursework and vocational training (and may offer precollegiate coursework); (2) focuses on the education and vocational training of youth at risk of delinquency or dropping out of secondary school; (3) has a teaching staff primarily composed of former members of the armed forces or participants in the Troops to Teachers Program, if they are qualified and trained to teach at the Academy; (4) operates a mentoring program involving role models from all sectors of society; (5) may contain a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit; (6) is housed on the site of any military installation closed pursuant to a base closure law; and (7) if effective, serves as a model for similar military-style academies throughout the United States. (Sec. 354) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Kinship Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States for demonstration projects to develop or implement procedures to use adult relatives as the preferred placement for children removed from their parents. Sets forth grant eligibility and program evaluation requirements. (Sec. 362) Requires States that receive grants under this Act to develop procedures to ensure that reasonable efforts will be made, prior to the placement of a child in foster care, to provide notice to a relative who might be available to care for the child. (Sec. 363) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Effective Compassion Subtitle A: Charity Tax Credit Subtitle B: Other Provisions Title II: Community Empowerment Subtitle A: Education Subtitle B: Restitution and Responsibility Subtitle C: Independence Subtitle D: Housing Title III: Other American Renewal Incentives Subtitle A: Housing Subtitle B: Responsible Parenting Subtitle C: Character Development Subtitle D: Family Reconciliation Subtitle E: Mentor Schools Subtitle F: Role Models Academy Subtitle G: Kinship Care Project for American Renewal Act - Title I: Effective Compassion - Subtitle A: Charity Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a credit for charitable contributions, which shall be in lieu of any deduction for such contributions, equal to the sum of: (1) 100 percent of contributions not exceeding $100; and (2) 90 percent of contributions in excess of $100 up to a maximum dollar amount of $500. Provides for a study of such credit. (Sec. 111) Repeals the earned income credit for individuals without children. (Sec. 112) Requires reports from the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on changes in laws which would reduce corporate tax subsidies sufficient to raise specified amounts of revenues. (Sec. 121) Provides for the authorization of appropriations under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 regardless of whether payments to the States provisions of part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act are repealed. (Sec. 131) Provides for reductions in amounts paid to each State under the AFDC program. (Sec. 132) Repeals title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 141) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to reduce community development block grants. (Sec. 142) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to repeal title II (HOME Investment Partnerships Act). Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Creates a tax credit of $500 for each eligible individual for the home care of: (1) unmarried pregnant women; (2) hospice care patients, including AIDS and cancer patients; (3) homeless individuals; and (4) battered women and battered women with children. (Sec. 152) Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) deem specified free clinic health professionals providing qualifying health services as employees of the Public Health Service; and (2) provide such health professionals with specified limited legal liability. Authorizes appropriations for making payment for judgments against the United States pursuant to this section for the acts or omissions of such professionals. Requires a report to the Congress concerning such judgments. (Sec. 153) Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and carry out a competitive grant program to provide funding to States and communities to: (1) establish an information network to enhance coordination of matches between various nonprofit organizations and electing AFDC families or nonviolent criminal offenders; (2) hire staff to coordinate such matches; and (3) disseminate information about such program. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the establishment of a national information clearinghouse concerning such program. Title II: Community Empowerment - Subtitle A: Education - Educational Choice and Equity Act of 1995 - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities for at least 100 demonstration projects under which low-income parents receive education certificates for the costs of enrolling their eligible children in a choice school. Reserves funds for the Comptroller General to evaluate such projects. Requires each participating school to comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. (Sec. 206) Requires such projects to involve: (1) at least one local educational agency (LEA) that receives a concentration grant under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and meets other specified criteria; and (2) a sufficient number of public and private choice schools, in the Secretary's judgment, to allow for a valid demonstration project. Requires priority be given to projects: (1) in which choice schools offer an enrollment opportunity to the broadest range of eligible children; (2) that involve diverse types of choice schools; and (3) that will contribute to geographic diversity of grant awards. Subtitle B: Restitution and Responsibility - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to enable the States to: (1) collect data on victim restitution over a specified period; (2) create or expand automated data systems to track restitution payments; (3) make improvements in the manner in which restitution is ordered and collected; and (4) enhance and expand methods of enforcement of restitution orders. (Sec. 211) Requires a State, to be eligible, to certify that it has a victim advocacy program that provides assistance to crime victims throughout the judicial process and provides courts with a victim impact statement prior to sentencing. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Independence - Provides for the establishment of demonstration projects designed to determine: (1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets; (2) the extent to which an asset-based welfare policy that promotes saving for education, home ownership, and microenterprises may be used to enable individuals and families with low income to achieve economic self-sufficiency; and (3) the extent to which an asset-based welfare policy improves the community in which participating individuals and families live. (Sec. 222) Requires each qualified not-for-profit organization or State or local government agency receiving a grant to establish a Reserve Fund. Specifies income and net worth tests for individuals eligible for assistance under a demonstration project. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 223) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for contributions to an individual development account by or on behalf of a qualified individual. Limits such contributions to $2,000 per year, and qualified expenses to: (1) postsecondary educational expenses; (2) a first-home purchase; and (3) business capitalization. Excludes distributions for such purposes from gross income. Exempts such accounts from taxation, except the tax on unrelated business income. Disregards funds in an individual development account of a demonstration project participant for purposes of all means-tested Federal programs. Subtitle D: Housing - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to transfer ownership (after satisfying any indebtedness) of unoccupied and substandard public housing units to the appropriate local governmental entities. Grants the appropriate community development corporations a six-month right of subsequent first purchase. (Sec. 233) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide maternal health certificates to eligible pregnant women for maternity home expenses. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 237) Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants for State maternity care programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 241) Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for rehabilitation of structures for use as maternity housing and services facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 248) Directs the Secretary to evaluate and report on programs under this part. Prohibits funds under this part from being used to promote or perform abortions or abortion counseling. Title III: Other American Renewal Incentives - Subtitle A: Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to reserve a specified percentage of public housing units for legally married families. Subtitle B: Responsible Parenting - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for various specified program changes, including: (1) an increase in funding, as well as a corresponding increase in Federal set-asides; (2) provision and promotion of sexual abstinence and adoption-related services; (3) prohibitions on the use of funds for family planning services in schools and for programs or projects that provide abortions or abortion counseling or referral; (4) additional application requirements related to maximizing the role of families and religious and charitable organizations in solving problems relating to parenthood or adolescent pregnancies; and (5) new reporting requirements for the State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services involving State activities in connection with program services relating to abstinence and adoption. (Sec. 318) Amends the Public Health Service Act to repeal certain programs and demonstration projects related to population research and voluntary family planning as well as adolescent family life. Subtitle C: Character Development - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award: (1) mentor program grants to eligible local educational agencies to establish mentoring programs designed to link individual at-risk youth with responsible, individual adults who serve as mentors; and (2) implementation and evaluation grants to national organizations or agencies serving youth to conduct a multisite demonstration project, involving five to ten project sites, develop and evaluate screening standards for school-linked mentoring programs, and develop and evaluate volunteer recruitment activities for school-linked mentoring programs. (Sec. 325) Sets forth permitted and prohibited uses of grant funds awarded under this Act. (Sec. 326) Directs the Secretary to develop and distribute to eligible local educational agencies receiving a mentor program grant specific model guidelines for the screening of mentors. (Sec. 330) Authorizes appropriations for Mentoring Program Grants and Implementation and Evaluation Grants. Subtitle D: Family Reconciliation - Amends part B (Child-Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act with regard to family preservation and support services to create certain set-asides for States with approved family reconciliation plans which require a minimum 60-day waiting period and participation in counseling programs before final dissolution of a marriage involving one or more children under age 12. (Sec. 332) Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit the use of funds under that Act for legal assistance in certain actions relating to divorces or separations except where there is court-determined spousal abuse. Subtitle E: Mentor Schools - Mentor Schools Act - Amends the Education Amendments Act of 1972 to provide that nothing in specified provisions of such Act shall be construed to prohibit the establishment or operation of a same gender public elementary or secondary school if: (1) comparable courses, services and facilities are available to students of each sex; and (2) the same policies and criteria for admission to such schools are used for both sexes. Subtitle F: Role Models Academy - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program under which a four-year, residential, military-style academy (the Role Models Academy) is established which: (1) shall offer at-risk youth secondary school coursework and vocational training (and may offer precollegiate coursework); (2) focuses on the education and vocational training of youth at risk of delinquency or dropping out of secondary school; (3) has a teaching staff primarily composed of former members of the armed forces or participants in the Troops to Teachers Program, if they are qualified and trained to teach at the Academy; (4) operates a mentoring program involving role models from all sectors of society; (5) may contain a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit; (6) is housed on the site of any military installation closed pursuant to a base closure law; and (7) if effective, serves as a model for similar military-style academies throughout the United States. (Sec. 354) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Kinship Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States for demonstration projects to develop or implement procedures to use adult relatives as the preferred placement for children removed from their parents. Sets forth grant eligibility and program evaluation requirements. (Sec. 362) Requires States that receive grants under this Act to develop procedures to ensure that reasonable efforts will be made, prior to the placement of a child in foster care, to provide notice to a relative who might be available to care for the child. (Sec. 363) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to ERISA to Reporting and Disclosure Provisions Title II: Public Employee Pension Plans Title III: Women's Pension Equity Title IV: Employer Reversions Retirement Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to ERISA Reporting and Disclosure Provisions - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions for annual reports and disclosures by employee benefit plan administrators to participants. Title II: Public Employee Pension Plans - Sets forth annual reporting and disclosure requirements for public employee pension plans. (Sec. 202) Permits a participant or beneficiary under a public employee pension plan to bring a civil action against the plan to: (1) recover benefits due under the plan's terms, to enforce his or her rights, or to clarify rights to future benefits; (2) enjoin any act or practice which violates the plan's terms; or (3) obtain other appropriate equitable relief to enforce such terms or redress violations of them. Allows a plaintiff, in most instances, to prevail in such an action by proving the case by a preponderance of the evidence. Requires proof by clear and convincing evidence, however, if the action involves a plan under which changes in employer contributions are subject to review by a qualified review board. Prescribes the general requirements for a qualified review board to review changes in employer contributions to a public employee pension plan. States that in general this Act applies to any public employee pension plan, with specified exceptions. Title III: Women's Pension Equity - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for the development of a model: (1) spousal consent form for electing to waive a qualified joint and survivor annuity or a qualified preretirement survivor annuity; and (2) qualified domestic relations order. (Sec. 302) Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to extend the payment of any portion of Tier II Railroad Retirement benefits to surviving former spouses pursuant to divorce agreements. (Sec. 303) Amends Federal law to provide for a survivor annuity to widows, widowers, and certain former spouses of Federal employees who die after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity, but before attaining the age for such an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), on the same basis as is currently provided to certain survivors of former Members of the Congress. (Sec. 304) Revises provisions concerning Federal retirement benefits subject to a court order. Title IV: Employer Reversions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on the reversion of qualified plan assets to an employer. (Sec. 402) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to report to the President and the Congress on plans from which residual assets were distributed to employers (reversions).
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3675 (Department of Transportation and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to an insurance company taxable income special deduction and income account to apply to companies that write financial guarantee insurance certain rules currently applied to companies that write mortgage guaranty insurance, lease guaranty insurance, or insurance on obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain cash rent farm landlords to deduct soil and water conservation expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project in at least one region of the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) to provide beneficiaries covered under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) with the option to receive health care through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, in addition to other health care options available to such covered beneficiaries. Outlines participation eligibility requirements, with a special rule for Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) participants. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to permit a project participant to take a tax credit of 25 percent of the amount paid on behalf of such participant to a medical savings account. Requires a report from the Secretary of Defense to the Congress containing a plan to implement the demonstration project and to permit participants to maintain and use medical savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Allows an individual to deduct losses arising from the sale or exchange of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 - Makes Federal criminal code prohibitions against, and penalties for, damaging religious property or obstructing any person's free exercise of religious beliefs applicable where: (1) the property is damaged because of its racial or ethnic character; and (2) the offense is in, or affects, interstate commerce. (Currently such provisions apply only where: (1) the property is damaged because of its religious character; (2) the defendant, in committing the offense, travels in interstate or foreign commerce or uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) the loss exceeds $10,000.) Prohibits intentionally defacing, damaging, or destroying religious real property (or attempting to do so) because of the race, color, religious, or ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with such property. Increases penalties for violations of such provisions where bodily injury results or where such acts include the use, or attempted or threatened use, of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire. Includes within the definition of "religious property" fixtures or religious objects contained within a place of religious worship. Sets a seven-year statute of limitation for the prosecution, trial, or punishment of a person for any noncapital offense under such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to use up to $5 million of the credit subsidy provided under the General and Special Risk Insurance Fund for guaranteed loans to financial institutions in connection with loans made to assist certain tax exempt religious or other organizations that have been damaged by arson or terrorism. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and Justice, including the Community Relations Service, to increase personnel to investigate, prevent, and respond to potential violations of this Act and Federal explosives prohibitions. Reauthorizes the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Commends those individuals and entities that have responded with funds to assist in the rebuilding of places of worship that have been victimized by arson. Encourages the private sector to continue such efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a private foundation making an employer-related grant from the excise tax on taxable expenditures when an individual scholarship or fellowship grant made by such a foundation is made on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis and is made pursuant to a qualified employer-related grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protection of Part-Time and Temporary Workers Title II: Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors Part-Time and Temporary Workers Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Protection of Part-Time and Temporary Workers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for approval of State unemployment compensation laws to provide for for unemployment compensation eligibility for certain individuals seeking part-time employment. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to conduct an annual survey identifying characteristics of temporary workers and their relationships with their employers. (Sec. 103) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for protection and treatment of part-time and temporary workers under: (1) participation, vesting, and accrual rules governing pension plans; and (2) group health plans. Expands the definition of employee to include certain individuals whose services are leased or contracted. Title II: Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the waiver of employment tax liability for employers if: (1) the employer did not treat an individual as an employee for purposes of employment taxes; (2) the treatment of such individual was based on a reasonable good faith misapplication of the common law rules for determining the employer-employee relationship; (3) Federal tax returns were filed on a basis consistent with the treatment of such individual as not being an employee; (4) the employer (and any predecessor) did not treat any other individual holding a substantially similar position as an employee for employment tax purposes after December 31, 1977; and (5) the employer enters into a closing agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to treating such individual as an employee. (Sec. 202) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to: (1) make persons who willfully misclassify an individual for employment tax purposes ineligible for any Government contract; (2) require a person who submits a bid or proposal for a Government contract to certify that the bid or proposal amount is adequate to pay all employment taxes; and (3) allow a person who submits a bid or proposal for a Government contract, and who suffers damages as a result of the contract award to a person who knowingly and willfully submits a false certification to bring an action for damages against such person. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal law to apply the same requirements and right of action to defense contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt specified entertainment industry pension plan recipients from certain reductions in unemployment compensation payable which would otherwise be applicable because of the receipt of pension benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3666 (Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and certain independent agencies and entities appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 to the Department of Veterans Affairs, setting forth uses and limitations for them. Establishes in the Treasury a franchise fund pilot for capitalizing and operating central administrative services. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), setting forth uses and limitations for them. (Sec. 201) Directs public housing agencies to require families to pay a minimum monthly rent of up to $25, and reduce monthly assistance payments accordingly. (Sec. 203) Extends the single family assignment program through FY 1997. (Sec. 204) Authorizes HUD to restructure multifamily apartment mortgages subsidized with section 8 project-based rental assistance contracts that expire in FY 1997. Limits such restructuring to property insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) whose rents are higher than comparable market rents for the area. Authorizes HUD to use arrangements, by delegation, contract, or otherwise, with one or more State housing finance agencies, selected competitively and qualified to act as liability managers, under which such liability managers shall: (1) assume and manage the HUD's insurance risk; (2) discharge specified public purpose objectives; and (3) restructure and recapitalize certain housing projects. Requires protection of tenants against displacement, as well as the provision of tenant-based assistance by HUD or the liability manager. (Sec. 205) Authorizes HUD to renew any expiring section 8 contracts at rent levels no higher than market levels. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 to the: (1) American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (3) Consumer Product Safety Commission; (4) Corporation for National and Community Service; (5) Court of Veterans Appeals; (6) Department of Defense-Civil for cemeterial expenses, Army; (7) Environmental Protection Agency; (8) Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (9) Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality; (10) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (11) General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (12) National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (13) National Credit Union Administration for the obligations of the Central Liquidity Facility; (14) National Science Foundation; (15) Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (16) Selective Service System. Title IV: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses, limitations, and prohibitions on uses of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 415) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this Act should be American made. (Sec. 417) Requires FY 1997 pay raises to be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act. (Sec. 419) Requires that certain FY 1997 Department of Health and Human Services appropriations be made available to carry out the orderly termination of the Office of Consumer Affairs. (Sec. 420) Authorizes certain corporations and agencies of HUD to make commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as necessary to carry out provisions under the Government Corporation Control Act. Allows any collections by such corporations and agencies to be used for new loan or mortgage purchase commitments to the extent provided under this Act, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 421) Prohibits the use of funds to pay the salaries of personnel who approve a contract for the purchase, lease, or acquisition in any manner of supercomputing equipment or services after a preliminary or final determination by the Department of Commerce that an organization providing such equipment or services has offered them at other than fair value.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of the Interior Title II: Related Agencies Title III: General Provisions Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for the FY 1997 operation of the Department of the Interior, setting forth uses and limitations for them. Prohibits the National Park Service from spending any funds under this Act for activities in direct response to the United Nations Biodiversity Initiative in the United States. Authorizes the National Park Service (NPS) to transfer NPS funds to State, local, and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations to carry out NPS programs. (Sec. 114) Establishes in the Treasury a franchise fund pilot for capitalizing and operating central administrative services. (Sec. 115) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House without advance approval of the congressional appropriations committees; (2) continuation of the designation of any critical habitat for the marbled murrelet on private property in California, except Headwaters Grove in Humboldt County; and (3) transfer of any land by the Bureau of Indian Affairs into trust under any Federal statute that does not explicitly identify a specific tribe or property, in the absence of a binding agreement between the tribe receiving jurisdiction over the land and State and local officials about the payment of State and local sales and excise taxes. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service. Prohibits the use of funds to implement any reorganization or "reinvention" of the Forest Service, without the consent of the congressional appropriations committees. Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Department of Energy for fossil energy research and development, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), and the SPR Account, among other things. Makes appropriations for FY 1997 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service for Indian health services and facilities. Appropriates funds for FY 1997 to: (1) the Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for Indian Education; (2) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation; (3) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (4) the Smithsonian Institution; (5) the National Gallery of Art; (6) the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and (7) the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Makes FY 1997 appropriations for: (1) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (2) the Institute of Museum Services; (3) the Commission of Fine Arts; (4) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (5) the National Capital Planning Commission; (6) the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission; and (7) the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. Sets forth uses and prohibitions on such funds. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth uses and limitations of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 307) Requires expenditures under this Act to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving Federal assistance should purchase only American-made equipment and products. Prohibits Federal contracts with persons found to have falsely labeled a product with a "Made in America" inscription. (Sec. 312) Permits the use of funds from this Act for the AmeriCorps program, subject to availability of funds under the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies FY 1997 appropriations bill, and only if the relevant agencies follow appropriate reprogramming guidelines. (Sec. 316) Places limitations on the type of grant awards that can be made by the National Endowment for the Arts. (Sec. 317) Authorizes U.S. Forest Service approval of Alternative site 2 (ALT 2), issued on December 6, 1993, and deems it permissible under the Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act of 1988. (Sec. 318) Prohibits the use of funds for final regulations, rules, or policies under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to assert jurisdiction, management, or control over navigable waters transferred to Alaska under the Submerged Lands Act of 1953 or the Alaska Statehood Act of 1959. (Sec. 319) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to review or modify sourcing areas previously approved under specified provisions of the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990 or to enforce or implement specified Federal regulations. Prohibits adoption of policies that would restrain domestic transportation or processing of timber from private lands or impose additional accountability requirements on any timber. (Sec. 320) Extends through FY 1999 the authority to collect recreation fees under the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, and through FY 2002 the availability in accounts of the fees collected.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Act of 1996 - Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to authorize the District of Columbia Council to issue revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations to borrow money to finance water and sewer facilities (defined as facilities for the obtaining, treatment, storage, and distribution of water, the collection, storage, treatment, and transportation of wastewater, storm drainage, and the disposal of liquids and solids resulting from treatment). Allows water and sewer enterprise fund revenues, assets, or other property to be used as payments and security for obligations issued with respect to water and sewer facilities. Permits the D.C. Council to delegate to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority the authority to issue obligations to finance utilities facilities, pollution control facilities, and water and sewer facilities. Provides that such obligations issued by the Authority shall be issued by resolution of the Authority and not by an act of the Council. Makes provisions requiring congressional approval before amounts may be obligated or expended by District government employees or officers inapplicable with respect to any amount obligated or expended: (1) from the proceeds of the sale of such obligations; (2) for the payment of the principal of, interest on, or any premium for such obligations; (3) to secure such obligations; and (4) for repair, maintenance, and capital improvements to facilities financed by such obligations. Removes from the calculation of the District's debt service ceiling: (1) revenues, charges, or fees dedicated for the purposes of water and sewer facilities; and (2) obligations incurred pursuant to general obligation bonds issued before FY 1997 for the financing of Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Utility Administration capital projects. Requires: (1) the Authority to submit to the Mayor for inclusion in the annual budget annual estimates of the expenditures and appropriations necessary for its operation for the year; and (2) the Mayor, without revision but subject to recommendations, to forward the estimates to the Council for its action. Permits the Council to comment or make recommendations concerning, but not revise, such annual estimates. Prohibits the Mayor from reducing amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Authority if determined necessary to reduce the District's budget in a fiscal year. Requires employees transferred from the Department of Public Works to the Authority to perform their duties under the personnel system developed by the Authority's Board or a collective bargaining agreement entered into after the enactment of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 through 1998 for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and for programs promoting the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries. Extends from June 30 to September 30, 1998 all authorities relating to: (1) domestic energy supply availability (including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and contracting authority for foreign-owned petroleum products); and (2) energy emergency preparedness. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a three-fifths vote of the Members voting in order to agree to any sale from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the authorizing legislation for which does not follow specified statutory and procedural guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude tips from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3662 (Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1996
Section 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations Tax-Exempt Bond Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the tax treatment of bonds of certain nonprofit tax-exempt organizations in a manner similar to governmental bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1996
Stop Tax-Exempt Arena Debt Issuance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat certain bonds used directly or indirectly for financing professional sports facilities as private activity bonds and not as qualified bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Medical Education Trust Fund) establishing in the Treasury the Medical Education Trust Fund, consisting of various specified accounts. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make annual payments from the Fund to eligible medical schools and teaching hospitals applying for assistance to: (1) maintain and develop quality educational programs in an increasingly competitive health care system; and (2) meet the indirect and direct costs of graduate medical education. Outlines requirements for Fund investments and determination of payments. Amends SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to provide for annual transfers to the Fund. Makes specified appropriations to the Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax equal to 1.5 percent of premiums received under accident or health insurance policies (including applicable self-insured plans), and equal to 1.5 percent of the amount received for certain health-related administrative services, payable by the policy issuer and the service provider, respectively. Makes specified appropriations and transfers of such to the Fund for allocation among the various specified accounts. Establishes the Medical Education Advisory Commission to study and report on Fund operations and other specified matters, including recommendations for demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the HHS Secretary to prescribe guidelines for the establishment and operation of such demonstration projects.