I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2124
To require Federal agencies to assess the impact of policies and regulations
on families, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 9, 1997
Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky (for himself, Mr. PITTS, Mr. CHRISTENSEN, Mr.
HERGER, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. LARGENT, Mr.
SOUDER, Mr. WELDON of Florida, Mrs. CHENOWETH, Mr. PAUL, Mr.
COBURN, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. MCINTOSH, Mr. HUTCHINSON, Mr. NOR-
WOOD, Mr. SNOWBARGER, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. PICKERING, Mr.
HOSTETTLER, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. GRAHAM, and Mr. RILEY)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight
A BILL
To require Federal agencies to assess the impact of policies
and regulations on families, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to—
(1) require agencies to assess the impact of pro-
posed agency actions on family well-being; and
(2) improve the management of executive
branch agencies.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘agency’’ has the meaning given
the term ‘‘Executive agency’’ by section 105 of title
5, United States Code, except such term does not in-
clude the General Accounting Office; and
(2) the term ‘‘family’’ means—
(A) a group of individuals related by blood,
marriage, or adoption who live together as a
single household; and
(B) any individual who is not a member of
such group, but who is related by blood, mar-
riage, or adoption to a member of such group,
and over half of whose support in a calendar
year is received from such group.
SEC. 3. FAMILY POLICYMAKING ASSESSMENT.
Before implementing policies and regulations that
may affect family well-being, each agency shall assess such
actions with respect to whether—
(1) the action strengthens or erodes the stabil-
ity of the family and, particularly, the marital com-
mitment;
(2) the action strengthens or erodes the author-
ity and rights of parents in the education, nurture,
and supervision of their children;
(3) the action helps the family perform its func-
tions, or substitutes governmental activity for the
function;
(4) the action increases or decreases disposable
family income;
(5) the proposed benefits of the action justify
the financial impact on the family;
(6) the action may be carried out by State or
local government or by the family; and
(7) the action establishes an implicit or explicit
policy—
(A) concerning the status of the family;
and
(B) concerning the relationship between
the behavior and personal responsibility of
youth, and the norms of society.
SEC. 4. GOVERNMENTWIDE FAMILY POLICY COORDINA-
TION AND REVIEW.
(a) CERTIFICATION AND RATIONALE.—With respect
to each proposed policy or regulation that may affect fam-
ily well-being, the head of each agency shall—
(1) submit a written certification to the Direc-
tor of the Office of Management and Budget and to
Congress that such policy or regulation has been as-
sessed in accordance with this Act; and
(2) provide an adequate rationale for implemen-
tation of each policy or regulation that may nega-
tively affect family well-being.
(b) OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.—The
Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall—
(1) ensure that policies and regulations pro-
posed by agencies are implemented consistent with
this Act; and
(2) compile, index, and submit annually to the
Congress the written certifications received pursuant
to subsection (a)(1).
(c) OFFICE OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT.—The Office
of Policy Development shall—
(1) assess proposed policies and regulations in
accordance with this Act;
(2) provide evaluations of policies and regula-
tions that may affect family well-being to the Direc-
tor of the Office of Management and Budget; and
(3) advise the President on policy and regu-
latory actions that may be taken to strengthen the
institutions of marriage and family in the United
States.
SEC. 5. ASSESSMENTS UPON REQUEST BY MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS.
Upon request by a Member of Congress relating to
a proposed policy or regulation, an agency shall conduct
an assessment in accordance with section 3, and shall pro-
vide a certification and rationale in accordance with sec-
tion 4.
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