Office of Disability Congressional Research Act of 2018

To establish the Office of Disability Congressional Research at the National Council on Disability. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Office of Disability Congressional Research Act of 2018 2. Establishment of the office of disability congressional research (a) Establishment Title IV of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 780 400A. Establishment of the Office of Disability Congressional Research There is established in the National Council on Disability the Office of Disability Congressional Research. . (b) Purpose Section 400(a)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 780(a)(2) (2) (A) The purpose of the National Council on Disability is to provide Congress, the executive branch, the States, and the public with data, analysis, and policy recommendations that encourage policies, programs, practices, and procedures that promote the national policy goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (equality of all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; economic self-sufficiency; independent living; and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society). This data and analysis will take the form of— (i) reports offered on a regular basis regarding the effect of existing legislation, regulations, and guidance on individuals with disabilities, their families, and the existing systems of services and supports for them; (ii) reports completed in legislative time regarding the effect that proposed Federal legislation, proposed regulations, and proposed guidance would have on individuals with disabilities, their families, and the existing systems of services and supports for them; (iii) reports regarding how proposed Federal legislation, proposed regulations, and proposed guidance will align with existing disability policy. (B) For purposes of conducting any analysis or preparing any report under this paragraph, upon request by National Council, the head of any agency, department, establishment, or commission shall, to the extent practicable, make available any data asset and material maintained which the National Council determines to be necessary in the performance of its duties and functions (other than material or data, the disclosure of which would be subject to a statute that prohibits the sharing or intended use of such asset in a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue). . (c) Chairperson; scope of work; meetings Title IV of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 780 780B. Chairperson; scope of work; meetings The President shall designate the Chairperson from among the members appointed to the National Council. The Chairperson may analyze and report any legislation, regulation, or guidance the Chairperson determines appropriate to meet the purposes described in section 780(a)(2). The National Council shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, but not less often than four times each year. . (d) Duties Section 401(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 781(a) (11) respond to requests by a member of the Committee on the Budget, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate or the Committee on the Budget, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, or the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives regarding the effect on individuals with disabilities, their families, and the existing systems of services and supports for them by providing information to assist the committee related to— (A) bills amending or affecting the supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1381 42 U.S.C. 1396 42 U.S.C. 1395 20 U.S.C. 1400 42 U.S.C. 401 42 U.S.C. 12101 29 U.S.C. 701 (B) bills related to entitlements and taxes; (C) regulations proposed by the executive branch; and (D) existing legislation, regulations, or guidance from Congress, the executive branch, or decisions made by the Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States; (12) respond to other requests by any Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, the National Council shall provide information regarding the effect on individuals with disabilities, their families, and the existing systems of services and supports for them by providing information to assist the Member of Congress related to— (A) bills amending or affecting the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 42 U.S.C. 1395 20 U.S.C. 1400 42 U.S.C. 401 (B) bills related to entitlements and taxes; (C) regulations proposed by the executive branch; and (D) existing legislation, regulations, or guidance from Congress, the executive branch, or decisions made by the Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States; (13) ensure timely response to requests described in paragraphs (11) and (12) by providing an analysis and report relating to the legislation or regulation prior to a vote or the closing of public comment on regulations, respectively; (14) prioritize requests described in paragraphs (11) and (12) in the following way— (A) give priority to responding to a request from the Chairman or Ranking Minority Member of a committee described in paragraph (11); (B) give priority in analyzing legislation based on the likelihood that a committee described in paragraph (11) will consider the legislation; (C) provide an initial report and analysis not later than 3 business days after the date of a request; (D) provide the full report and analysis of the Office not later than 10 business days after the date of a request; (E) to the extent practicable, provide a full report and analysis of legislation before a committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives votes on the legislation; and (F) otherwise prioritize analyses and reporting on all other legislation, regulations, and guidance in accordance with such criteria as the National Council Chairperson shall establish; (15) prepare reports for requests described in paragraphs (11) and (12) in the following way— (A) when possible and appropriate, use geospatial standards, as defined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee; (B) be prepared using plain language; (C) address issues at the national level and, to the extent possible, at the State level; and (D) be made publicly available, along with the information and data used to prepare the analysis or report, except to the extent that the information or data is specifically exempted from public disclosure by law or privacy regulations; and (16) when appropriate, collaborate with the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service when conducting analyses and preparing reports described in paragraphs (11) and (12). . (e) Annual report Subsection (b) of section 401 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 781(b) (b) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Office of Disability Congressional Research Act of 2018 . (f) Technical and supportive staff Section 403(a)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 783(a) (3) The Executive Director shall hire such technical and professional staff as necessary, but no fewer than six full-time employees to respond timely to duties and timeframes set forth in paragraphs (11) through (16) of section 401(a). . (g) Authorization of appropriations Section 405 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 785 785. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title. .

Summary: Office of Disability Congressional Research Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Office of Disability Congressional Research within the National Council on Disability. The bill also expands the duties of the council to include responding to congressional requests for information regarding the effects of regulations, legislation, and guidance on individuals with disabilities, their families, and the existing systems of services and support for them.