In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Commission on the Removal of
Mexican-Americans to Mexico Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) From 1929 through 1941, Federal, State, and local
Government authorities and certain private sector entities
throughout the United States undertook an aggressive program to
forcibly remove individuals of Mexican ancestry from the United
States.
(2) As many as 1,200,000 individuals of Mexican ancestry
who were United States citizens were forcibly removed to
Mexico.
(3) These men, women, and children were removed outside the
United States in response to public pressure to curtail the
employment of Mexican-Americans, most of whom were United
States citizens or residing legally in the United States,
during the Depression.
(4) Massive raids were conducted on Mexican-American
communities, and many of the people who were removed were never
able to return to the United States, their country of birth.
(5) These raids targeted individuals of Mexican ancestry,
even when such individuals were United States citizens or
permanent legal residents.
(6) These raids also separated such United States citizens
and permanent legal residents from their families and deprived
them of their livelihoods and constitutional rights.
(7) No official inquiry into this matter has been made.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to establish a fact
finding commission to determine whether United States citizens and
permanent legal residents were forcibly removed to Mexico from 1929 to
1941 in violation of law as a result of past directives of Federal,
State and local governments and the impact of such removal on those
individuals, their families, and the Mexican-American community in the
United States, and to recommend appropriate remedies.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

There is established a commission to be known as the ''Commission
on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico''.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

The Commission shall--
(1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the
removal of certain United States citizens and permanent legal
residents to Mexico from 1929 to 1941, and the impact of such
actions on these individuals, their families, and the Mexican-
American community in the United States;
(2) review past directives of Federal, State, and local
governments that required the removal of these individuals to
Mexico and any other information related to these directives;
and
(3) submit to Congress a written report of its findings and
recommendations.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of
seven members, who shall be appointed within 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act as follows:
(1) Three members appointed by the President.
(2) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in consultation with the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(3) Two members appointed by the President pro tempore of
the Senate, in consultation with the minority leader of the
Senate.
(b) Qualifications.--Members appointed under subsection (a) shall
possess knowledge or expertise related to human rights, civil rights,
immigration, labor, business, or other pertinent qualifications.
(c) Term of Office.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of
the Commission.
(d) Quorum.--Four members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(e) Initial Meeting.--The initial meeting of the Commission shall
be called by the President within one hundred and twenty days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, or within thirty days after the date
on which legislation is enacted making appropriations to carry out this
Act, whichever is later.
(f) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Commission shall elect a
chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members. The term of
office of each shall be for the life of the Commission.
(g) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its
powers and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original
appointment was made.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

(a) Hearings.--
(1) In general.--The Commission or on the authorization of
the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may for the
purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at
times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the
Commission or any subcommittee or member considers appropriate.
(2) Location.--The Commission may hold public hearings in
any city of the United States that it finds appropriate.
(b) Subpoena Power.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may issue subpoenas
requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
production of any evidence relating to any matter under
investigation by the Commission which the Commission is
empowered to investigate by this Act.
(2) Failure to obey a subpoena.--If a person refuses to
obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the Commission may
apply to a United States district court for an order requiring
that person to appear before the Commission to give testimony,
produce evidence, or both, relating to the matter under
investigation. The application may be made within the judicial
district where the hearing is conducted or where such person is
found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey the
order of the court may be punished by the court as civil
contempt.
(3) Service of subpoena.--A subpoena of the Commission
shall be served in the manner provided for subpoenas issued by
a United States district court under the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure for the United States district courts.
(4) Service of process.--All process of any court to which
application is made under paragraph (2) may be served in the
judicial district in which the person required to be served
resides or may be found.
(c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States, or from any State
or local government, information necessary to enable it to carry out
this Act. Upon request of any member, the head of such department or
agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(d) Contract Authority.--To the extent or in the amounts provided
in advance in appropriation Acts, the Commission may contract with and
compensate government and private agencies or persons for any services,
supplies, or other activities necessary to enable the Commission to
carry out its duties under this Act.

SEC. 7. STAFF.

(a) In General.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such
additional staff as it considers appropriate.
(b) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--Any staff of the
Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(c) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code.
(d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under
this Act.

SEC. 8. REPORT.

The Commission shall submit to Congress a written report not later
than the date which is one year after the date of the initial meeting
called pursuant to section 5(d) of this Act. The report shall contain a
detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission,
together with its recommendations for legislative actions that the
Commission considers appropriate.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

The Commission shall terminate 30 days after submitting the report
under section 8.

SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ''Commission'' means the
Commission on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico
established under section 3.
(2) Member.--The term ''member'' means a member of the
Commission.
(3) State.--The term ''State'' means any State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession, or
territory of the United States.

Output: Commission on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico This bill establishes the Commission on the Removal of Mexican-Americans to Mexico, which shall: (1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the 1929-1941 removal of certain U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents to Mexico and the impact of such actions on such individuals, their families, and the Mexican-American community; (2) review federal, state, and local government directives that required such removal and any other related information; and (3) report its findings, conclusions, and any recommendations for legislative actions.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Readjustment Counseling Service
Amendments of 1995''.

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
paragraph (7):
''(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''.
(b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service shall have
the organizational structure and administrative structure of that
service as such structures were in existence on January 1, 1993.
(c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the organizational structure
or the administrative structure of the Readjustment Counseling Service
until--
(A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a
report containing a full and complete statement of the proposed
alteration or revision; and
(B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which
the report is received by the committees.
(2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph (1)(B),
there shall be excluded any day on which either House of Congress is
not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 calendar days
to a day certain.
(d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each budget
submitted to Congress by the President under section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code, shall set forth the amount requested in the budget
for the operation of the Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal
year covered by the budget and shall set forth separately the amount
requested for administrative oversight of the activities of the service
(including the amount requested for funding of the Advisory Committee
on Readjustment of Veterans).

SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE.

(a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking out ''and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
(2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3)
and inserting in lieu thereof ''; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
''(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified
psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a
diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology
from an authority approved by the American Psychological
Association and has successfully undergone an internship
approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of a
master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse
holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric
nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by
the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical
experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the
Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental
health care counseling service (as determined by the
Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment
Counseling Service.''.
(b) Status of Director.--Section 7306(a)(3) of such title is
amended by striking out ''eight'' and inserting in lieu thereof
''nine''.
(c) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the Readjustment
Counseling Service shall report to the Under Secretary for Health of
the Department of Veterans Affairs through the Associate Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Clinical Programs.

SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND
CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES.

(a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 1712A
of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
''(a)(1)(A) Upon the request of any veteran referred to in
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall furnish
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to
civilian life.
''(B) A veteran referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph
is any veteran who--
''(i) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or
''(ii) served on active military, naval, or air service in
a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary,
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period
of war or in any other area during a period in which
hostilities (as defined in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph)
occurred in such area.
''(C) Upon the request of any veteran other than a veteran referred
to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary may furnish
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to
civilian life.
''(D) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the
term 'hostilities' means an armed conflict in which the members of the
Armed Forces are subjected to danger comparable to the danger to which
members of the Armed Forces have been subjected in combat with enemy
armed forces during a period of war, as determined by the Secretary in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
''(2) The counseling referred to in paragraph (1) shall include a
general mental and psychological assessment of a covered veteran to
ascertain whether such veteran has mental or psychological problems
associated with readjustment to civilian life.''.
(2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed.
(b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by inserting
after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):
''(c)(1) The Secretary shall provide the counseling services
described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to the surviving
parents, spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who is
killed during service on active military, naval, or air service in a
theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war or
in any other area during a period in which hostilities (as defined in
subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section) occurred in such area.
''(2) The Secretary may provide the counseling services referred to
in paragraph (1) to the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any
member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on active duty or
from a condition (as determined by the Secretary) incurred in or
aggravated by such service.''.
(c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--Subsection (e)
of such section is amended by striking out ''subsections (a) and (b)''
each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ''subsections (a),
(b), and (c)''.

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS.

(a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B the
following:
''Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans
''(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee on the
Readjustment of Veterans (hereafter in this section referred to as the
'Committee').
''(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 18 members
appointed by the Secretary from among veterans who--
''(A) have demonstrated significant civic or professional
achievement; and
''(B) have experience with the provision of veterans
benefits and services by the Department.
''(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members appointed to
the Committee include persons from a wide variety of geographic areas
and ethnic backgrounds, persons from veterans service organizations,
and women.
''(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay
and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of
service may not exceed 2 years. The Secretary may reappoint any member
for additional terms of service.
''(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the
Department of benefits and services to veterans in order to assist
veterans in the readjustment to civilian life.
''(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this
subsection, the Committee shall--
''(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs
of veterans in readjusting to civilian life;
''(ii) provide information relating to the nature and
character of psychological problems arising from service in the
Armed Forces;
''(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness
of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the
Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to civilian
life; and
''(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate
means of responding to the readjustment needs of veterans in
the future.
''(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A), the
Committee shall take into special account veterans of the Vietnam era,
and the readjustment needs of such veterans.
''(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall
submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the
Department that relate to the readjustment of veterans to civilian
life. Each such report shall include--
''(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect
to readjustment to civilian life;
''(B) a review of the programs and activities of the
Department designed to meet such needs; and
''(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for
administrative and legislative action) as the Committee
considers appropriate.
''(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each report under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of
the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning
the report that the Secretary considers appropriate.
''(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
''(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted
to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all
reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary
since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to
that section.
''(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the
activities of the Committee under this section.
''(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the Committee.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such
title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1712B
the following:

''1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.''.
(b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of
section 1712C of such title (as added by subsection (a)), the members
of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War
Veterans on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be the original
members of the advisory committee recognized under such section.
(2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such subsection (a)(2).
The Secretary shall carry out such appointments as soon after such date
as is practicable. The Secretary may make such appointments from among
such original members.

SEC. 6. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER PILOT
PROGRAM.

(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran
Resource Center program established pursuant to the amendment made by
section 105 of the Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of
1985 (Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a
schedule for, and an assessment of the cost of, the implementation of
the program at or through all Department of Veterans Affairs
readjustment counseling centers.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ''Department of Veterans
Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the same meaning given
the term ''center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) of title 38, United States
Code.

SEC. 7. REPORT ON COLLOCATION OF VET CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.

(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a report on the feasibility and desirability of the
collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics (including rural
mobile clinics) of the Department of Veterans Affairs as current leases
for such centers and clinics expire.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 6 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Covered Matters.--The report under this section shall include
an assessment of the following:
(1) The results of any collocation of Vet Centers and
outpatient clinics carried out by the Secretary before the date
of the enactment of this Act, including the effects of such
collocation on the quality of care provided at such centers and
clinics.
(2) The effect of such collocation on the capacity of such
centers to carry out their primary mission.
(3) The extent to which such collocation will impair the
operational independence or administrative integrity of such
centers.
(4) The feasibility of combining the services provided by
such centers and clinics in the course of the collocation of
such centers and clinics.
(5) The advisability of the collocation of centers and
clinics of significantly different size.
(6) The effect of the locations (including urban and rural
locations) of the centers and clinics on the feasibility and
desirability of such collocation.
(7) The amount of any costs savings to be achieved by
Department as a result of such collocation.
(8) The desirability of such collocation in light of plans
for the provision of health care services by the Department
under national health care reform.
(9) Any other matters that the Secretary determines
appropriate.

SEC. 8. VET CENTER HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out
a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to
eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers. The Secretary
shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with this section.
(b) Services.--(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary
shall provide the services referred to in paragraph (2) at not less
than 10 readjustment counseling centers in existence on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) The Secretary shall provide basic ambulatory services and
health care screening services by such personnel as the Secretary
considers appropriate at each readjustment counseling center under the
pilot program. The Secretary shall assign not less than one-half of a
full-time employee equivalent at each such center in order to provide
such services under the pilot program.
(3) In determining the location of the readjustment counseling
centers at which to provide services under the pilot program, the
Secretary shall select centers that are located in a variety of
geographic areas and that serve veterans of a variety of economic,
social, and ethnic backgrounds.
(c) Period of Operation.--(1) The Secretary shall commence the
provision of health-related services at readjustment counseling centers
under the pilot program not later than 4 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) The pilot program shall terminate 2 years after the date on
which the Secretary commences the provision of services under paragraph
(1).
(d) Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
the pilot program established under this section. The report shall
include the following:
(A) A description of the program, including information
on--
(i) the number of veterans provided basic
ambulatory services and health care screening services
under the pilot program;
(ii) the number of such veterans referred to
Department of Veterans Affairs general health-care
facilities in order to provide such services to such
veterans; and
(iii) the cost to the Department of Veterans
Affairs of the pilot program.
(B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the services
provided to veterans under the pilot program.
(C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of
improving the pilot program, and an estimate of the cost to the
Department of implementing such recommendations.
(D) An assessment of the desirability of expanding the type
or nature of services provided under the pilot program in light
of plans for the provision of health care services by the
Department under national health care reform.
(E) An assessment of the extent to which the provision of
services under the pilot program impairs the operational or
administrative independence of the readjustment counseling
centers at which such services are provided.
(F) An assessment of the effect of the location of the
centers on the effectiveness for the Department and for
veterans of the services provided under the pilot program.
(G) Such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term ''Department of Veterans Affairs general
health-care facility'' has the meaning given such term in
section 1712A(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ''eligible veteran'' means any veteran
eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or
(3) of section 1712(a) of such title.
(3) The term ''readjustment counseling center'' has the
same meaning given the term ''center'' in section 1712A(i)(1)
of such title.

S 403 IS----2

Output: Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1995 - Includes a Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) as part of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from altering or revising the organizational structure of RCS until the Secretary has notified specified congressional committees and 60 days have elapsed since such notification. Requires RCS budget information to be included annually in the President's budget submitted to the Congress.
Outlines eligibility requirements for one of the Assistant Under Secretaries for Health in the Department, including at least three years of clinical experience and two years of administrative experience in RCS or other comparable mental health care counseling service. Makes such a qualified person the director of RCS.
Increases from eight to nine the authorized number of Assistant Under Secretaries for Health.
Directs the Secretary to furnish readjustment counseling to any veteran who: (1) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or (2) served on active duty in a theater of combat during a period of war (currently, only after May 7, 1975) in any area in which hostilities occurred. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish such assistance to any other veteran upon request. Directs the Secretary to provide counseling to survivors and dependents of members of the armed forces killed while performing such duty. Allows the Secretary to provide such counseling to the survivors and dependents of other members killed during active duty or from a condition incurred in or aggravated by such service.
Establishes in the Department the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans to perform advisory services with respect to veterans' readjustment, taking into special account Vietnam era veterans. Requires specified reports from the Advisory Committee and the Secretary.
Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional veterans' affairs committees: (1) a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program; and (2) on the feasibility and desirability of the collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics of the Department as current leases for such centers and clinics expire.
Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Child Support Enforcement
Improvements Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. NONLIABILITY FOR DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING FINANCIAL
RECORDS TO STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN
CHILD SUPPORT CASES.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or
State law, a depository institution shall not be liable under any
Federal or State law to any person for disclosing any financial record
of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency attempting
to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation of such
individual.
(b) Prohibition of Disclosure of Financial Record Obtained by State
Child Support Enforcement Agency.--A State child support enforcement
agency which obtains a financial record of an individual from a
financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) may disclose such
financial record only for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary
in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation of
such individual.
(c) Civil Damages for Unauthorized Disclosure.--
(1) Disclosure by state officer or employee.--If any
officer or employee of a State knowingly, or by reason of
negligence, discloses a financial record of an individual in
violation of subsection (b), such individual may bring a civil
action for damages against such State in a district court of
the United States.
(2) No liability for good faith but erroneous
interpretation.--No liability shall arise under this subsection
with respect to any disclosure which results from a good faith,
but erroneous, interpretation of subsection (b).
(3) Damages.--In any action brought under paragraph (1),
upon a finding of liability on the part of the defendant, the
defendant shall be liable to the plaintiff in an amount equal
to the sum of--
(A) the greater of--
(i) $1,000 for each act of unauthorized
disclosure of a financial record with respect
to which such defendant is found liable; or
(ii) the sum of--
(I) the actual damages sustained by
the plaintiff as a result of such
unauthorized disclosure; plus
(II) in the case of a willful
disclosure or a disclosure which is the
result of gross negligence, punitive
damages; plus
(B) the costs of the action.
(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) The term ''depository institution'' means--
(A) a depository institution, as defined by section
3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;
(B) an institution-affiliated party, as defined by
section 3(u) of such Act; and
(C) any Federal credit union or State credit union,
as defined by section 101 of the Federal Credit Union
Act, including an institution-affiliated party of such
a credit union, as defined by section 206(r) of such
Act.
(2) The term ''financial record'' has the meaning given
such term by section 1101 of the Right to Financial Privacy Act
of 1978.
(3) The term ''State child support enforcement agency''
means a State agency which administers a State program for
establishing and enforcing child support obligations.

SEC. 3. ACCESS TO AND USE OF CONSUMER REPORTS BY STATE CHILD SUPPORT
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN CHILD SUPPORT CASES.

(a) In General.--Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15
U.S.C. 1681b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
''(4) To a State child support enforcement agency that is
seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a child support
obligation against the consumer, if--
''(A) the paternity of the consumer for the child
to which the obligation relates has been established or
acknowledged by the consumer in accordance with State
laws under which the obligation arises (if required by
those laws); and
''(B) the State child support enforcement agency--
''(i) before obtaining the consumer report,
provides written notice to the consumer that
the State agency intends to obtain a consumer
report on the consumer; and
''(ii) certifies to the consumer reporting
agency that--
''(I) the requirement in
subparagraph (A) has been fulfilled (if
applicable); and
''(II) the notice required by
clause (i) has been provided.''.
(b) State Child Support Enforcement Agency Defined.--Section 603 of
such Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
''(j) The term 'State child support enforcement agency' means a
State agency which administers a State program for establishing and
enforcing child support obligations.''.

SEC. 4. HEALTH CARE SUPPORT.

(a) Inclusion in Child Support Orders.--
(1) In general.--Section 466(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 666(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (10)
the following:
''(11) Not later than the beginning of the 9th calendar
month that begins after the date the Secretary prescribes final
regulations as provided for in section 467(d)(2):
''(A) Procedures which require any child support
order, issued or modified by a court or administrative
agency of the State on or after the effective date of
guidelines established by the State under section
467(d), to provide for coverage of the health care
costs of the child in accordance with such guidelines.
''(B) Procedures which require the expedited
consideration and disposition of any allegation of
noncompliance with an obligation to cover the health
care costs of a child imposed under a child support
order issued or modified in the State.''.
(2) State guidelines.--Section 467 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
667) is amended by adding at the end the following:
''(d)(1) Not later than the beginning of the 9th calendar month
that begins after the date the Secretary prescribes final regulations
in accordance with paragraph (2), each State, as a condition for having
its State plan approved under this part, must establish guidelines for
the coverage of the health care costs of children pursuant to child
support orders issued or modified in the State, which guidelines shall
create a streamlined process that meets the minimum standards
established by the Secretary in such regulations.
''(2)(A) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations which set forth
minimum standards that any set of guidelines established pursuant to
paragraph (1) must meet in providing for the coverage of the health
care costs of children pursuant to child support orders issued or
modified in the State, including--
''(i) the contents of such an order with respect to the
coverage of such costs;
''(ii) the distribution of responsibility for such costs;
''(iii) to the extent that such costs are to be covered
through health insurance--
''(I) the provision of such insurance;
''(II) the payment of insurance claims; and
''(III) the rights of the noncustodial parent and
the custodial parent to insurance information;
''(iv) the circumstances under which a provider of health
insurance may or may not deny coverage to a child who is the
subject of such an order;
''(v) penalties to be imposed on providers of health
insurance who fail to comply with the guidelines; and
''(vi) how changes in the circumstances of the noncustodial
parent and the custodial parent are to be taken into account
with respect to the coverage of such costs.
''(B) In developing such standards, the Secretary shall ensure
that, in establishing guidelines pursuant to paragraph (1), the State
considers the following matters in the following order of importance:
''(i) The best interests of the child.
''(ii) The financial and other circumstances of the parents
of the child.
''(iii) Cost-effectiveness.
''(3) The preceding subsections of this section shall apply in like
manner to the guidelines established pursuant to this subsection.''.
(3) Regulations.--
(A) Proposed regulations.--Within 9 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall issue proposed
regulations to implement the amendments made by this
subsection.
(B) Final regulations.--Within 14 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall issue final regulations
to implement the amendments made by this subsection.
(b) Inclusion in Incentive Payments Program of Dependent Health
Insurance Provided Due to Successful Enforcement.--
(1) In general.--Section 458(b) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 658(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
''(5)(A) For purposes of this section, the successful enforcement
by the State of a provision of a support order requiring an absent
parent to obtain health insurance for 1 or more children shall be
considered the collection of support from the absent parent, without
regard to the means by which such support is provided.
''(B) The amount of support collected in any case in which the
State successfully enforces a provision of a support order requiring an
absent parent to obtain health insurance for 1 or more children shall
be the savings to the State from the provision of such health insurance
to such children, as determined in accordance with a health insurance
savings methodology adopted by the State in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the Secretary.''.
(2) Regulations.--Within 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary
to implement the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(3) Study; report.--
(A) Study.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall conduct a study to determine the
incentives that should be provided to encourage States
to enforce obligations of noncustodial parents to pay
(and obtain medical insurance coverage with respect to)
the reasonable and necessary health and dental expenses
of the children to whom the noncustodial parents owe
such obligations.
(B) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee
on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Finance of the Senate the results of
the study required by subparagraph (A).

SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORTS ON STATE COMPLIANCE WITH TIME LIMITS WITHIN
WHICH STATE MUST PROVIDE CERTAIN CHILD SUPPORT
ASSISTANCE.

Section 452(a)(10) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
652(a)(10)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ''and'';
(2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and
inserting ''; and''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
''(J) compliance, by State, with the standards
established pursuant to subsections (h) and (i).''.

SEC. 6. WAGES WITHHELD BY EMPLOYERS TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS
REQUIRED TO BE PAID TO STATE WITHIN 10 DAYS; LATE PAYMENT
PENALTY IMPOSED ON EMPLOYERS.

(a) In General.--Section 466(b)(6)(A) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 666(b)(6)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by inserting ''within 10 days after the
payment of such wages'' before ''to the appropriate agency'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
''(iii) The State must require any employer who fails to
make any payment required in accordance with clause (i) within
the 10-day period described therein to pay the State a $1,000
penalty. The State must expend all penalties collected in
accordance with this clause for the operation of the State plan
approved under section 454, not later than the end of the
calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which
collected.''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) of
this subsection, the amendments made by subsection (a) of this
section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act and apply to wages paid on or after such date and payments
under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act for
calendar quarters beginning on or after such date.
(2) Delay permitted if state legislation required.--In the
case of a State plan approved under section 454 of the Social
Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services
determines requires State legislation (other than legislation
appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the
additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by
subsection (a) of this section, the State plan shall not be
regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such
section 454 solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to
meet such additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st
calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular
session of the State legislature that begins after the date of
the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous
sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative
session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a
separate regular session of the State legislature.

SEC. 7. NATIONAL PARENT LOCATOR NETWORK.

Section 453 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
''(g) The Secretary shall expand the Parent Locator Service to
establish a national network based on the comprehensive statewide child
support enforcement systems developed by the States, to--
''(1) allow each State to--
''(A) locate any absent parent who owes child
support, for whom a child support obligation is being
established, or for whom an order for visitation is
being enforced, by--
''(i) accessing the records of other State
agencies and sources of locate information
directly from one computer system to another;
and
''(ii) accessing Federal sources of locate
information in the same fashion;
''(B) access the files of other States to determine
whether there are other child support orders involving
the same absent parent, and obtain the details of any
such order;
''(C) provide for both on-line and batch processing
of locate requests, with on-line access restricted to
cases in which the information is needed immediately
(for such reasons as court appearances) and batch
processing used to 'troll' data bases to locate
individuals or update information periodically; and
''(D) direct locate requests to individual States
or Federal agencies, broadcast requests to selected
States, or broadcast cases to all States when there is
no indication of the source of needed information;
''(2) provide for a maximum of 48-hour turnaround time for
information to be broadcast and returned to a requesting State;
and
''(3) provide ready access to courts of the information on
the network by location of a computer terminal in each
court.''.

HR 2396 IH----2
Output: Child Support Enforcement Improvements Act of 1993 - Makes depository institutions not liable under any Federal or State law to any person for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency attempting to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation of such individual. Prohibits such an agency from disclosing such a record for any other purpose and provides for civil damages for unauthorized disclosures.
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to permit credit reporting agencies to grant access to certain consumer reports to a State child support enforcement agency that is seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation against the consumer.
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) require State laws to provide for the use of procedures requiring child support orders to provide for coverage of the health care costs of the child in accordance with State guidelines; (2) include under the incentive payments program any dependent medical insurance coverage which is provided due to the successful application of such procedures; (3) direct HHS' Office of Child Support Enforcement to report to the Congress annually on State compliance with specified standards establishing time limits for State response to certain child support assistance requests; (4) require States to assess a penalty against any employer who fails to make timely payment of withheld wages to pay child support obligations of an employee; and (5) direct the Office to develop a national parent locator network which would build on comprehensive statewide child support enforcement systems to allow States to carry out specified parent locator activities.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report to specified congressional committees on how the successful efforts of States in enforcing obligations of absent parents to pay (and obtain medical insurance coverage with respect to) the health and dental expenses of their children should be rewarded through an incentive payments program.