instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
Mammography Quality Standards Act''.

SEC. 2. MAMMOGRAPHY QUALITY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7319. Mammography quality standards
    ``(a) A mammogram may not be performed at a Department facility 
unless that facility is accredited for that purpose by a private 
nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary. An organization 
designated by the Secretary under this subsection shall meet the 
standards for accrediting bodies established under section 354(e) of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(e)).
    ``(b) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, shall prescribe quality assurance and quality 
control standards relating to the performance and interpretation of 
mammograms and use of mammogram equipment and facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs consistent with the requirements of 
section 354(f)(1) of the Public Health Service Act. Such standards 
shall be no less stringent than the standards prescribed by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 354(f) of the 
Public Health Service Act.
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary, to ensure compliance with the standards 
prescribed under subsection (b), shall provide for an annual inspection 
of the equipment and facilities used by and in Department health care 
facilities for the performance of mammograms. Such inspections shall be 
carried out in a manner consistent with the inspection of certified 
facilities by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 
354(g) of the Public Health Service Act.
    ``(2) The Secretary may not provide for an inspection under 
paragraph (1) to be performed by a State agency.
    ``(d) The Secretary shall ensure that mammograms performed for the 
Department under contract with any non-Department facility or provider 
conform to the quality standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act.
    ``(e) For the purposes of this section, the term `mammogram' has 
the meaning given such term in paragraph (5) of section 354(a) of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(a)).''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7318 the 
following new item:

``7319. Mammography quality standards.''.
    (b) Deadline for Prescribing Standards.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall prescribe standards under subsection (b) of section 7319 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later 
than the end of the 120-day period beginning on the later of--
            (1) the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services prescribes quality standards under section 354(f) of 
        the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(f)); or
            (2) the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Transition.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
the date on which standards are prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs under subsection (b) of that section.
    (2) During the transition period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
may waive the requirement of subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), to any facility of 
the Department. The Secretary may provide such a waiver in the case of 
any facility only if the Secretary determines, based upon the 
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, that during the period such a waiver is in effect for 
such facility (including any extension of the waiver under paragraph 
(3)) the facility will be operated in accordance with standards 
prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b) of such section to 
assure the safety and accuracy of mammography services provided.
    (3) The transition period for purposes of this section is the six-
month period beginning on the date specified in paragraph (1). The 
Secretary may extend such period for a period not to exceed 90 days in 
the case of any Department facility. Any such extension may be made 
only if the Under Secretary for Health determines that--
            (A) without the extension access of veterans to mammography 
        services in the geographic area served by the facility would be 
        significantly reduced; and
            (B) appropriate steps will be taken before the end of the 
        transition period (as extended) to obtain accreditation of the 
        facility as required by subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 
        38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
    (d) Implementation Report.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the Secretary's implementation of 
section 7319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a). The report shall be submitted not later than 180 days after the 
date on which the Secretary prescribes the quality standards required 
under subsection (b) of that section.
answer:
Department of Veterans Affairs Mammography Quality Standards Act - Prohibits a mammogram from being performed at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility unless the facility is accredited for such purpose by a private nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  Requires any such organization to meet the standards for accrediting bodies established under the Public Health Service Act (the Act). 
Directs the Secretary to prescribe quality assurance and control standards relating to performance and interpretation of mammograms and the use of Department mammogram equipment and facilities consistent with requirements of the Act.  Requires the Secretary to provide for an annual inspection of Department mammogram equipment and facilities. Requires any Department mammograms contracted to a non-Department facility or provider to conform to the standards of the Act.  Provides for:  (1) a deadline for the prescribing of standards; (2) transition provisions covering mammograms performed prior to the enactment of this Act; and (3) an implementation report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees.


question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pension Assistance and Counseling 
Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. PENSION COUNSELING PROGRAMS.

    Title VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3058 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subtitle C as subtitle D;
            (2) by redesignating sections 761 through 764 as sections 
        791 through 794, respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subtitle B the following:

                    ``Subtitle C--Pension Counseling

``SEC. 761. PENSION COUNSELING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Pension and other retirement benefits.--The term 
        `pension and other retirement benefits' means private, civil 
        service, and other public pensions and retirement benefits, 
        including benefits provided under--
                    ``(A) the Social Security program carried out under 
                title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et 
                seq.);
                    ``(B) the railroad retirement program carried out 
                under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 
                231 et seq.);
                    ``(C) the government retirement benefits programs 
                carried out under--
                            ``(i) the Civil Service Retirement System 
                        set forth in subchapter III of chapter 83 of 
                        title 5, United States Code;
                            ``(ii) the Federal Employees Retirement 
                        System set forth in chapter 84 of title 5, 
                        United States Code;
                            ``(iii) title 10, United States Code; or
                            ``(iv) any other government retirement 
                        system, including any Government pension plan 
                        as such term is defined under section 9502 of 
                        title 31, United States Code; or
                    ``(D) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
                of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
            ``(2) Pension counseling program.--The term `pension 
        counseling program' means a program described in subsection 
        (c).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish and 
carry out pension counseling projects. In carrying out the projects, 
the Assistant Secretary shall award grants under subsection (c) and 
(d).
    ``(c) Pension Counseling Programs.--
            ``(1) Use of funds.--In carrying out the projects specified 
        in subsection (b), the Assistant Secretary shall award grants 
        to eligible entities to establish programs that create or 
        continue a sufficient number of pension assistance and 
        counseling projects to provide outreach, information, 
        counseling, referral, and other assistance regarding pension 
        and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such 
        benefits, to individuals throughout the United States.
            ``(2) Award of grants.--
                    ``(A) Type of entity.--The Assistant Secretary 
                shall award under this subsection--
                            ``(i) grants to State agencies or area 
                        agencies on aging; and
                            ``(ii) grants to nonprofit organizations 
                        with a proven record of providing--
                                    ``(I) services related to 
                                retirement of older individuals; or
                                    ``(II) specific pension counseling.
                    ``(B) Panel.--In awarding grants under this 
                subsection, the Assistant Secretary shall use a citizen 
                advisory panel that shall include representatives of 
                business, labor, national senior advocates, and 
                national pension rights advocates.
                    ``(C) Criteria.--In awarding grants under this 
                subsection, the Assistant Secretary, after consultation 
                with the panel, shall use as criteria--
                            ``(i) evidence of commitment of an agency 
                        or organization to carry out a proposed pension 
                        counseling program;
                            ``(ii) the ability of the agency or 
                        organization to perform effective outreach to 
                        affected populations, particularly populations 
                        identified as in need of special outreach;
                            ``(iii) reliable information that the 
                        population to be served by the agency or 
                        organization has a demonstrable need for the 
                        services proposed to be provided under the 
                        program; and
                            ``(iv) evidence of ability of the agency or 
                        organization to provide services under the 
                        program on a statewide or regional basis.
            ``(3) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under this subsection, an entity shall submit an 
                application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as the 
                Assistant Secretary may require, including, at a 
                minimum--
                            ``(i) a plan for the establishment of a 
                        pension counseling program to serve a specific 
                        geographic area; and
                            ``(ii) an assurance that staff members 
                        (including volunteer staff members) have no 
                        conflict of interest in providing the services 
                        described in the plan.
                    ``(B) Plan.--The plan described in subparagraph (A) 
                shall provide for a program that--
                            ``(i) establishes or continues a State or 
                        area pension counseling service;
                            ``(ii) provides counseling (including 
                        direct counseling and assistance to individuals 
                        needing information) and information that may 
                        assist individuals in establishing rights to, 
                        obtaining, and filing claims or complaints 
                        related to, pension and other retirement 
                        benefits;
                            ``(iii) provides information on sources of 
                        pension and other retirement benefits, 
                        including the benefits under programs described 
                        in subsection (a)(1);
                            ``(iv) makes referrals to legal services 
                        and other advocacy programs;
                            ``(v) establishes a system of referral to 
                        Federal, State, and local departments or 
                        agencies related to pension and other 
                        retirement benefits;
                            ``(vi) provides a sufficient number of 
                        staff positions (including volunteer positions) 
                        to ensure information, counseling, referral, 
                        and assistance regarding pension and other 
                        retirement benefits;
                            ``(vii) provides training programs for 
                        staff members, including volunteer staff 
                        members of the programs described in subsection 
                        (a)(1);
                            ``(viii) makes recommendations to the 
                        Administration, the Department of Labor, and 
                        other Federal, State, and local agencies 
                        concerning issues for older individuals related 
                        to pension and other retirement benefits; and
                            ``(ix) establishes or continues to provide 
                        projects to provide outreach, information, 
                        counseling, referral, and other assistance 
                        regarding pension and other retirement 
                        benefits, with particular emphasis on outreach 
                        to women, minorities, and low-income retirees.
    ``(d) Training and Technical Assistance Program.--
            ``(1) Use of funds.--In carrying out the projects described 
        in subsection (b), the Assistant Secretary shall award a grant 
        to an eligible entity to establish a training and technical 
        assistance program to provide--
                    ``(A) information and technical assistance to the 
                staffs of entities operating pension counseling 
                programs; and
                    ``(B) assistance to the entities, including 
                assistance in designing program evaluation tools.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--Entities eligible to receive grants 
        under this subsection include nonprofit private organizations 
        with records of providing national information, referral, and 
        advocacy in matters related to pension and other retirement 
        benefits.
            ``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the 
        Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may 
        require.
    ``(e) Pension Assistance Hotline and Interagency Coordination.--The 
Assistant Secretary shall enter into interagency agreements for the 
establishment and operation of, and dissemination of information about, 
a telephone hotline for individuals seeking outreach, information, 
counseling, referral, and assistance regarding pension and other 
retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits. The Assistant 
Secretary shall also enter into agreements with the Secretary of Labor 
and with the heads of other Federal agencies that regulate the 
provision of pension and other retirement benefits, as the Assistant 
Secretary determines to be appropriate, in order to carry out this 
subsection and to develop a nationwide public-private pension 
assistance system.
    ``(f) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) Preparation.--The Assistant Secretary shall prepare a 
        report that--
                    ``(A) summarizes the distribution of funds 
                authorized for grants under this section and the 
                expenditure of such funds;
                    ``(B) summarizes the scope and content of training 
                and assistance provided under a program carried out 
                under this section and the degree to which the training 
                and assistance can be replicated;
                    ``(C) outlines the problems that individuals 
                participating in programs funded under this section 
                encountered concerning rights related to pension and 
                other retirement benefits; and
                    ``(D) makes recommendations regarding the manner in 
                which services provided in programs funded under this 
                section can be incorporated into the ongoing programs 
                of State agencies, area agencies on aging, multipurpose 
                senior centers, and other similar entities.
            ``(2) Submission.--Not later than 30 months after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall 
        submit the report described in paragraph (1) to the Committee 
        on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
        the Senate.
    ``(g) Administrative Expenses.--Of the funds appropriated under 
subsection (h) to carry out this section for a fiscal year, not more 
than $100,000 may be used by the Administration for administrative 
expenses in carrying out this section.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003.''.

SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Repealer.--Section 429J of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 3035r) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (b) of section 794 of the 
Older Americans Act of 1965 (as redesignated in section 2(2)) is 
amended by striking ``entities described in section 751(c)'' and 
inserting ``persons and entities described in section 793(b)''.
answer:
Specifies that such grants shall be awarded to: (1) State agencies or area agencies on aging; (2) nonprofit organizations with a proven record of providing services related to retirement of older individuals or specific pension counseling; and (3) an eligible entity to establish a training and technical assistance program to provide information and technical assistance to the staffs of entities operating pension counseling programs and assistance to such entities, including assistance in designing program evaluation tools. Makes nonprofit private organizations with records of providing national information, referral, and advocacy in matters related to pension and other retirement benefits eligible to receive training and technical assistance grants.
Requires the Assistant Secretary to enter into: (1) interagency agreements for the establishment and operation of, and dissemination of information about, a telephone hotline for individuals seeking outreach, information, counseling, referral, and assistance regarding pension and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits; and (2) agreements with the Secretary of Labor and with the heads of other Federal agencies that regulate the provision of pension and other retirement benefits, as appropriate, in order to carry out this Act and to develop a nationwide public-private pension assistance system.
Authorizes appropriations.
Repeals provisions of the Act that establish pension rights demonstration projects.


question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Children's Education Tax Credit 
Act''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR EDUCATION EXPENSES OF STUDENTS RECEIVING OR ELIGIBLE 
              TO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits) 
is amended by redesignating section 35 as section 36 and by inserting 
after section 34 the following new section:

``SEC. 35. EDUCATION EXPENSES OF STUDENTS RECEIVING OR ELIGIBLE TO 
              RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS.

    ``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual, there shall be 
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the 
taxable year the amount of the qualified education expenses paid by the 
taxpayer during the taxable year for the education of any individual--
            ``(1) with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a 
        deduction under section 151(c), and
            ``(2) who receives (or is eligible to receive) free or 
        reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National 
        School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 for the 
        period to which such expenses relate.
    ``(b) Limitation.--The amount allowed as a credit under subsection 
(a) for any taxable year with respect to the qualified education 
expenses of any 1 individual shall not exceed $1,500.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Qualified education expenses.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified education 
                expenses' means amounts paid for--
                            ``(i) tuition and fees required for the 
                        enrollment or attendance of a student at an 
                        eligible educational institution, and
                            ``(ii) fees, tutoring, books, supplies, 
                        computer equipment (including related software 
                        and services) and other equipment required for 
                        courses of instruction at an eligible 
                        educational institution.
                    ``(B) Meals and lodging expenses not included.--
                Such term does not include any amount paid, directly or 
                indirectly, for meals, lodging, or similar personal, 
                living, or family expenses. In the event an amount paid 
                for tuition or fees includes an amount for meals, 
                lodging, or similar expenses which is not separately 
                stated, the portion of such amount which is 
                attributable to meals, lodging, or similar expenses 
                shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(C) Special rule for home schooling.--In the case 
                of education furnished in the home (as a substitute for 
                public education) which meets the requirements of State 
                law relating to compulsory school attendance, the term 
                `qualified education expenses' means amounts paid for 
                tutoring, books, supplies, computer equipment 
                (including related software and services), and other 
                equipment used in furnishing such education.
            ``(2) Eligible educational institution.--The term `eligible 
        educational institution' means--
                    ``(A) a secondary school,
                    ``(B) an elementary school, or
                    ``(C) any private, parochial, religious, or home 
                school organized for the purpose of providing 
                elementary or secondary education, or both.
            ``(3) Elementary and secondary schools.--The terms 
        `elementary school' and `secondary school' have the respective 
        meanings given such terms by section 14101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
    ``(d) Adjustment for Certain Scholarships.--The amounts otherwise 
taken into account under subsection (a) as qualified education expenses 
of any individual during any period shall be reduced (before the 
application of subsection (b)) by the sum of the amounts received with 
respect to such individual for the taxable year as a qualified 
scholarship which under section 117 is not includable in gross income.
    ``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations 
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.''
    (b) Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United 
        States Code, is amended by striking ``or'' after ``1978,'' and 
        by inserting before the period ``, or enacted by the Children's 
        Education Tax Credit Act''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking 
        the last item and inserting the following new items:

                              ``Sec. 35. Education expenses of students 
                                        receiving or eligible to 
                                        receive free or reduced price 
                                        school meals.
                              ``Sec. 36. Overpayments of tax.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
answer:

Children's Education Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit (up to $1,500 per student) for the qualified educational expenses paid by a taxpayer on behalf of a dependent individual who receives or is eligible to receive free or reduced price school meals.Defines "eligible educational institution" as a secondary school, an elementary school, or any private, parochial, religious, or home school providing elementary or secondary education, or both.