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 ''Oceans Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ''Commission'' means the
Commission on Ocean Policy established under section 4.
(2) Coastal state.--The term ''coastal State'' means a
State in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic
Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of
the Great Lakes.
(3) Marine environment.--The term ''marine environment''
includes--
(A) the oceans, including coastal and offshore
waters and nearshore saltwater estuaries;
(B) the continental shelf; and
(C) the Great Lakes.
(4) Ocean and coastal activities.--The term ''ocean and
coastal activities'' includes activities consisting of,
affecting, or otherwise related to oceanography, fisheries, or
the management or use of any ocean and coastal resource. The
term does not include military operations and training.
(5) Ocean and coastal resource.--The term ''ocean and
coastal resource'' means any living or nonliving natural,
historic, or cultural resource or mineral found in the marine
environment.
(6) State.--The term ''State'' means any State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other
territory or possession of the United States.

SEC. 3. EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a) National Ocean and Coastal Policy.--The Congress and the
President, after receiving and considering the report of the Commission
under section 4, shall develop and propose a coordinated,
comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the responsible use
and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the
United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and
assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and
coastal programs.
(b) Biennial Report.--Beginning in January 1999, the President
shall transmit to the Congress biennially a report that shall include a
detailed listing of all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and
coastal activities, including a description of each program, the
current funding for the program, and a projection of the funding level
for the program for each of the following 5 fiscal years.
(c) Budget Coordination.--Each agency or department involved in
ocean and coastal activities shall include with its annual request for
appropriations a report that identifies significant elements of the
proposed agency or department budget relating to ocean and coastal
activities.
(d) Cooperation and Consultation.--In carrying out responsibilities
under this Act, the President--
(1) may use such staff, interagency, and advisory
arrangements as the President finds necessary and appropriate;
and
(2) shall consult with State and local governments and non-
Federal organizations and individuals involved in ocean and
coastal activities.

SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is hereby established the Commission
on Ocean Policy.
(2) Membership.--(A) The Commission shall be composed of 16
members appointed by the President from among individuals who
are knowledgeable in ocean and coastal activities, including
individuals representing State and local governments, ocean-
related industries, academic and technical institutions, and
public interest organizations involved with scientific,
regulatory, economic, and environmental ocean and coastal
activities. The membership of the Commission shall be balanced
geographically to the extent consistent with maintaining the
highest level of expertise on the Commission.
(B) Of the members of the Commission appointed under this
paragraph--
(i) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8
individuals who shall be recommended by the majority
leader of the Senate in consultation with the Chairman
of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation;
(ii) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8
individuals who shall be recommended by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives in consultation with the
Chairmen of the Committee on Resources, Transportation
and Infrastructure, and Science;
(iii) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4
individuals who shall be recommended by the minority
leader of the Senate in consultation with the ranking
member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation; and
(iv) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4
individuals who shall be recommended by the by the
minority leader of the House of Representatives in
consultation with the ranking members of the Committees
on Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and
Science.
(C) The members of the Commission shall be appointed for
the life of the Commission by not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first
meeting within 30 days after it is established.
(4) Chairman.--The Commission shall elect one of its
members as Chair.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall submit to the
Congress and the President, by not later than 18 months after
the date of the establishment of the Commission, a final report
of its findings and recommendations regarding United States
ocean policy.
(2) Public and state review.--Before submitting the final
report to the Congress, the Commission shall--
(A) publish in the Federal Register a notice that
the draft report is available for public review; and
(B) provide a copy of the draft report to the
Governor of each coastal State, the Committees on
Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and
Science of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate.
(3) Final report contents, generally.--Subject to paragraph
(4), the final report of the Commission shall include
recommendations for the responsible use and stewardship of
ocean and coastal resources, including the following:
(A) Recommendations for any modifications to United
States laws and regulations, and the administrative
structure of the Executive agencies, that are necessary
to improve the understanding, management, and
conservation and use of, and access to, ocean and
coastal resources.
(B) An assessment of the condition and adequacy of
existing and planned facilities associated with ocean
and coastal activities, including human resources,
vessels, computers, satellites, and other appropriate
platforms and technologies, and recommendations for
investments and improvements in those facilities.
(C) A review of existing and planned ocean and
coastal activities of Federal entities, and
recommendations for changes in such activities
necessary to reduce duplication of Federal efforts.
(D) A review of the cumulative effect of Federal
laws and regulations on United States ocean policy, an
examination of those laws and regulations for
inconsistencies and contradictions that might adversely
affect the conduct of ocean and coastal activities, and
recommendations for resolving any such inconsistencies.
In particular, this portion of the report shall include
an examination of the relationship between the
fisheries development and fisheries conservation
responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries
Service.
(E) A review of the known and anticipated supply of
and demand for ocean and coastal resources of the
United States.
(F) A review of the relationship between Federal,
State, and local governments and the private sector in
planning and carrying out ocean and coastal activities,
and recommendations for enhancing the role of State and
local governments.
(G) A review of opportunities for the development
of or investment in new products, technologies, or
markets related to ocean and coastal activities.
(H) A review of previous and ongoing State efforts
and Federal efforts to enhance the effectiveness and
integration of ocean activities, including those
occurring offshore and in nearshore saltwater
estuaries.
(4) State comments.--The Commission shall include in the
final report comments received from the Governor of any coastal
State regarding recommendations in the draft report that apply
to areas within the boundaries of that coastal State.
(5) Consideration of factors.--In making its assessments
and reviews and developing its recommendations, the Commission
shall give full and balanced consideration to environmental,
technical, economic, and other relevant factors, with an equal
opportunity for all parties to present a fair and reasonable
case for unbiased consideration by the Commission. All
recommendations should consider effects on private property. To
the greatest extent possible, no recommendations shall have a
negative impact on local economies that are dependent on ocean
and coastal resources. Any data used by the Commission in
making its recommendations for regulations shall be peer
reviewed.
(6) Limitation on recommendations.--The Commission shall
not make any specific recommendations with respect to lands and
waters within the boundary of any State located north of 51
degrees North latitude, or with respect to lands and waters
within the State of Idaho.
(c) Duties of the Chair.--In carrying out the provisions of this
section, the Chair of the Commission shall be responsible for--
(1) the assignment of duties and responsibilities among
staff personnel and their continuing supervision; and
(2) the use and expenditures of funds available to the
Commission.
(d) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, when engaged in the actual performance
of duties of the Commission, receive reimbursement of travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized for persons
employed intermittently in the Government service under section 3109 of
title 5, United States Code.
(e) Staff.--
(1) Executive director.--The Chair of the Commission may,
with the consent of the Commission and without regard to the
civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an
executive director who is knowledgeable in administrative
management and ocean and coastal policy and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to perform its duties.
(2) Compensation.--The executive director shall, subject to
the availability of appropriations, be compensated at a rate
not to exceed the rate payable for Level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. The
Chairman may fix the compensation of other personnel without
regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to
classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates,
except that the rate of pay for such personnel may not exceed
the rate payable for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule
under section 5332 of such title.
(3) Detailees.--Upon a request of the Chair of the
Commission made after consulting with the head of any Federal
agencies responsible for managing ocean and coastal resources,
the head of any such Federal agency may detail appropriate
personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the
Commission in carrying out its functions under this Act.
Federal Government employees detailed to the Commission shall
serve without reimbursement from the Commission, and shall
retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular
employment without interruption.
(4) Experts and consultants.--To the extent that funds are
available, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed by
the Commission, the executive director of the Commission may
procure the temporary and intermittent services of experts and
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United
States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate payable
for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule under section 5332
of title 5, United States Code.
(f) Administration.--
(1) Meetings.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open
to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may
be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information
described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code.
Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open
meetings and present written statements or oral statements at
the discretion of the Commission on the subject matter of the
meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to
any person appearing before it.
(2) Notice of meetings.--All open meetings of the
Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice, including
notice in the Federal Register, of the time, place, and subject
of the meeting.
(3) Minutes and other records.--(A) Minutes of each meeting
shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present,
a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of
all statements filed. Subject to restrictions set forth in
section 552 of title 5, United States Code, the minutes and
records of all meetings and other documents that were made
available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available
for public inspection and copying at a single location in the
offices of the Commission.
(B) The Commission shall have at least one meeting in each
of the following 6 geographic regions of the United States:
(i) The Northeast.
(ii) The Southeast.
(iii) The Southwest.
(iv) The Northwest.
(v) The Great Lakes States.
(vi) The Gulf of Mexico States.
(g) Cooperation With Other Federal Entities.--
(1) Other federal agencies and departments.--The Commission
may secure directly from any Federal agency or department any
information it considers necessary to carry out its functions
under this Act. Each such agency or department may cooperate
with the Commission and, to the extent permitted by law,
furnish such information to the Commission, upon the request of
the Chair of the Commission.
(2) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments
and agencies of the United States.
(3) Acquisitions.--The Commission may enter into contracts
with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions,
and individuals to assist the Commission in carrying out its
duties. The Commission may purchase and contract without regard
to section 18 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act
(41 U.S.C. 416) and section 8 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 637), pertaining to competition and publication
requirements, and may arrange for printing without regard to
the provisions of title 44, United States Code. The contracting
authority of the Commission under this Act is effective only to
the extent that appropriations are available for contracting
purposes.
(h) Termination.--The Commission shall cease to exist 30 days after
the date on which it submits its final report.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to support the activities of the Commission $2,000,000 for
fiscal year 1999 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000. Any sums
appropriated may remain available without fiscal year limitation until
the Commission ceases to exist.

Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 1998.

Attest:

Clerk.

Output: Oceans Act of 1998 - Requires that the Congress and the President, after considering the Commission report under this Act, develop a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and coastal programs. Mandates a biennial report by the President to the Congress listing all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and coastal activities. Requires each agency or department involved in ocean and coastal activities to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying elements of its budget relating to ocean and coastal activities.
Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to the Congress and the President regarding U.S. ocean policy. Requires opening the draft report for public comment before submitting the final report. Prohibits Commission recommendations regarding lands and waters within: (1) the boundary of any State north of 51 degrees North latitude; or (2) the State of Idaho. Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations.

Input: Consider Input: 16, 110th Congress, agreed
to in the Senate March 1, 2007, and House Concurrent Resolution 80,
110th Congress, agreed to in the House of Representatives June 18,
2007.
SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT OF A STRATEGY TO SUPPORT THE DISARMAMENT OF THE
LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY.
(a) Requirement for Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall develop and
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy to guide
future United States support across the region for viable multilateral
efforts to mitigate and eliminate the threat to civilians and regional
stability posed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
(b) Content of Strategy.--The strategy shall include the following:
(1) A plan to help strengthen efforts by the United Nations and
regional governments to protect civilians from attacks by the
Lord's Resistance Army while supporting the development of
institutions in affected areas that can help to maintain the rule
of law and prevent conflict in the long term.
(2) An assessment of viable options through which the United
States, working with regional governments, could help develop and
support multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat posed by the
Lord's Resistance Army.
(3) An interagency framework to plan, coordinate, and review
diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military elements of United
States policy across the region regarding the Lord's Resistance
Army.
(4) A description of the type and form of diplomatic engagement
across the region undertaken to coordinate and implement United
States policy regarding the Lord's Resistance Army and to work
multilaterally with regional mechanisms, including the Tripartite
Plus Commission and the Great Lakes Pact.
(5) A description of how this engagement will fit within the
context of broader efforts and policy objectives in the Great Lakes
Region.
(c) Form.--The strategy under this section shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
SEC. 5. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR AREAS OUTSIDE UGANDA AFFECTED BY
THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY.
In accordance with section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292) and section 2 of the Migration and Refugee
Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601), the President is authorized to
provide additional assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo,
southern Sudan, and Central African Republic to respond to the
humanitarian needs of populations directly affected by the activity of
the Lord's Resistance Army.
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION IN NORTHERN UGANDA.
(a) Authority.--It is the sense of Congress that the President
should support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the
Government of Uganda--
(1) to assist internally displaced people in transition and
returnees to secure durable solutions by spurring economic
revitalization, supporting livelihoods, helping to alleviate
poverty, and advancing access to basic services at return sites,
specifically clean water, health care, and schools;
(2) to enhance the accountability and administrative competency
of local governance institutions and public agencies in northern
Uganda with regard to budget management, provision of public goods
and services, and related oversight functions;
(3) to strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian
police in northern Uganda to enhance public safety, prevent crime,
and deal sensitively with gender-based violence, while
strengthening accountability measures to prevent corruption and
abuses;
(4) to rebuild and improve the capacity of the justice system
in northern Uganda, including the courts and penal systems, with
particular sensitivity to the needs and rights of women and
children;
(5) to establish mechanisms for the disarmament,
demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants and those
abducted by the LRA, including vocational education and employment
opportunities, with attention given to the roles and needs of men,
women and children; and
(6) to promote programs to address psychosocial trauma,
particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
(b) Future Year Funding.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of State and Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development should work with the appropriate committees
of Congress to increase assistance in future fiscal years to support
activities described in this section if the Government of Uganda
demonstrates a commitment to transparent and accountable reconstruction
in war-affected areas of northern Uganda, specifically by--
(1) finalizing the establishment of mechanisms within the
Office of the Prime Minister to sufficiently manage and coordinate
the programs under the framework of the Peace Recovery and
Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP);
(2) increasing oversight activities and reporting, at the local
and national level in Uganda, to ensure funds under the Peace
Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda framework are
used efficiently and with minimal waste; and
(3) committing substantial funds of its own, above and beyond
standard budget allocations to local governments, to the task of
implementing the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for Northern
Uganda such that communities affected by the war can recover.
(c) Coordination With Other Donor Nations.--The United States
should work with other donor nations to increase contributions for
recovery efforts in northern Uganda and better leverage those
contributions to enhance the capacity and encourage the leadership of
the Government of Uganda in promoting transparent and accountable
reconstruction in northern Uganda.
(d) Termination of Assistance.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Secretary of State should withhold non-humanitarian bilateral
assistance to the Republic of Uganda if the Secretary determines that
the Government of Uganda is not committed to reconstruction and
reconciliation in the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and is not
taking proactive steps to ensure this process moves forward in a
transparent and accountable manner.
SEC. 7. ASSISTANCE FOR RECONCILIATION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN
NORTHERN UGANDA.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, despite
reconstruction and development efforts, a continued failure to take
meaningful steps toward national reconciliation and accountability
risks perpetuating longstanding political grievances and fueling new
conflicts.
(b) Authority.--In accordance with section 531 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346), the President is authorized to
support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the Government of
Uganda to advance efforts to promote transitional justice and
reconciliation on both local and national levels, including to
encourage implementation of the mechanisms outlined in the Annexure to
the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation between the
Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army/Movement, signed at
Juba February 19, 2008, namely--
(1) a body to investigate the history of the conflict, inquire
into human rights violations committed during the conflict by all
sides, promote truth-telling in communities, and encourage the
preservation of the memory of events and victims of the conflict
through memorials, archives, commemorations, and other forms of
preservation;
(2) a special division of the High Court of Uganda to try
individuals alleged to have committed serious crimes during the
conflict, and a special unit to carry out investigations and
prosecutions in support of trials;
(3) a system for making reparations to victims of the conflict;
and
(4) a review and strategy for supporting transitional justice
mechanisms in affected areas to promote reconciliation and
encourage individuals to take personal responsibility for their
conduct during the war.
SEC. 8. REPORT.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the submission of
the strategy required under section 4, the Secretary of State shall
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
on the progress made toward the implementation of the strategy required
under section 4 and a description and evaluation of the assistance
provided under this Act toward the policy objectives described in
section 3.
(b) Contents.--The report required under section (a) shall
include--
(1) a description and evaluation of actions taken toward the
implementation of the strategy required under section 4;
(2) a description of assistance provided under sections 5, 6,
and 7;
(3) an evaluation of bilateral assistance provided to the
Republic of Uganda and associated programs in light of stated
policy objectives;
(4) a description of the status of the Peace Recovery and
Development Plan for Northern Uganda and the progress of the
Government of Uganda in fulfilling the steps outlined in section
6(b); and
(5) a description of amounts of assistance committed, and
amounts provided, to northern Uganda during the reporting period by
the Government of Uganda and each donor country.
(c) Form.--The report under this section shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FUNDING.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) of the total amounts to be appropriated for fiscal year
2011 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to
$10,000,000 should be used to carry out activities under section 5;
and
(2) of the total amounts to be appropriated for fiscal year
2011 through 2013 for the Department of State and foreign
operations, up to $10,000,000 in each such fiscal year should be
used to carry out activities under section 7.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ''appropriate
committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Appropriations and
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee
on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Great lakes region.--The term ''Great Lakes Region'' means
the region comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Rwanda, southern Sudan, and Uganda.
(3) LRA-affected areas.--The term ''LRA-affected areas'' means
those portions of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, northeastern
Democratic Republic of Congo, and southeastern Central African
Republic determined by the Secretary of State to be affected by the
Lord's Resistance Army as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.

Output: Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Directs the President to submit to Congress a regional strategy to guide U.S. support for multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat to civilians and regional stability posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Requires the strategy to include: (1) a plan to help strengthen efforts by the United Nations (U.N.) and regional governments to protect civilians from attacks by the LRA; (2) an assessment of viable options through which the United States could help develop and support multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat posed by the LRA; (3) an interagency framework to plan, coordinate, and review diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military elements of U.S. policy across the region regarding the LRA; (4) a description of the type and form of diplomatic engagement across the region undertaken to coordinate and implement U.S. policy regarding the LRA and to work multilaterally with regional mechanisms, including the Tripartite Plus Commission and the Great Lakes Pact; and (5) a description of how this engagement will fit within the context of broader efforts and policy objectives in the Great Lakes Region.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes the President to provide additional assistance to respond to the humanitarian needs of populations the Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan, and Central African Republic affected by LRA activity.

(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the government of Uganda to: (1) assist internally displaced people in transition and returnees by spurring economic revitalization and advancing access to basic services at return sites; (2) enhance the accountability and administrative competency of local governance institutions and public agencies in northern Uganda; (3) strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian police and the justice system in northern Uganda; (4) establish mechanisms for the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants and those abducted by the LRA; and (5) promote programs to address psychosocial trauma.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should work with Congress to increase future assistance to Uganda if the government of Uganda demonstrates a commitment to reconstruction in war-affected areas of northern Uganda; and (2) the Secretary should withhold non-humanitarian assistance to Uganda if the government of Uganda is not committed to reconstruction and reconciliation in the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and is not taking steps to ensure this process moves forward in a transparent and accountable manner.

(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that a continued failure to take meaningful steps toward national reconciliation and accountability risks perpetuating political grievances and fueling new conflicts.

Authorizes the President to support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the government of Uganda to promote transitional justice and reconciliation on both local and national levels, including to encourage implementation of the mechanisms in the Annexure to the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation between the government of Uganda and the LRA.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on implementation of the strategy and evaluation of the assistance under this Act.

(Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) of the total amounts to be appropriated for FY2011 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to $10 million should be used to carry out activities under section 5; and (2) of the total amounts to be appropriated for FY2011-FY2013 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to $10 million in each such fiscal year should be used to carry out activities under section 7.

(Sec. 10) Defines: (1) "Great Lakes Region" as the region comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, southern Sudan, and Uganda; and (2) "LRA-affected areas" as those portions of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and southeastern Central African Republic affected by the LRA.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Improving Care for Vulnerable Older
Citizens through Workforce Advancement Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) As of 2012, more than 41,000,000 Americans are age 65
or older. More than 75 percent of them suffer from chronic
conditions which require person-centered, coordinated care that
helps them to live in a home- or community-based setting. In
2012, the Government Accountability Office found that 34
percent of Americans age 60 and older reported needing
assistance performing Activities of Daily Living.
(2) Direct-care workers (referred to in this section as
''DCWs'') provide an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the paid
hands-on long-term care and personal assistance received by
elders and people with disabilities or other chronic conditions
in the United States. These workers help their clients bathe,
dress, and negotiate a host of other daily tasks. They are a
lifeline for those they serve, as well as for families and
friends struggling to provide quality care.
(3) Eldercare and disability services positions account for
nearly one-third of the 18,000,000 health care jobs in the
United States. The direct-care workforce alone accounts for
more than 4,000,000 jobs, expected to add 1,600,000 new
positions by 2020.
(4) The majority of DCWs are now employed in home- and
community-based settings, and not in institutional settings
such as nursing care facilities or hospitals. By 2020, home-
and community-based DCWs are likely to outnumber facility
workers by more than 2 to 1.
(5) A 2008 Institute of Medicine report, entitled ''Re-
tooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care
Workforce'', called for new models of care delivery and
coordination, and dedicated a chapter to the central importance
of the direct-care workforce in a ''re-tooled'' eldercare
delivery system.
(6) An Institute of Medicine report on the future of
nursing, released in October of 2010, recommended nurses should
practice to the full extent of their education and training.
The report also states that all health care professionals
should work collaboratively in team-based models, and that the
goal should be to encourage care models that use every member
of the team to the full capacity of his or her training and
skills.
(7) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public
Law 111-148) emphasizes the need for improving care and
lowering costs by better coordination of care and integration
of services, particularly for consumers with multiple chronic
conditions. This will require developing new models of care for
those receiving long-term services and supports.

SEC. 3. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON CARE COORDINATION AND SERVICE
DELIVERY.

Part A of title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3032 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

''SEC. 423. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON CARE COORDINATION AND SERVICE
DELIVERY.

''(a) Establishment of Demonstration Program.--
''(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall carry out
a demonstration program in accordance with this section. Under
such program, the Assistant Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects that
focus on care coordination and service delivery redesign for
older individuals with chronic illness or at risk of
institutional placement by--
''(A) designing and testing new models of care
coordination and service delivery that thoughtfully and
effectively deploy advanced aides to improve efficiency
and quality of care for frail older individuals; and
''(B) giving direct-care workers opportunities for
career advancement through additional training, an
expanded role, and increased compensation.
''(2) Direct-care worker.--In this section, the term
'direct-care worker' has the meaning given that term in the
2010 Standard Occupational Classifications of the Department of
Labor for Home Health Aides [31-1011], Psychiatric Aides [31-
1013], Nursing Assistants [31-1014], and Personal Care Aides
[39-9021].
''(b) Demonstration Projects.--The demonstration program shall be
composed of 6 demonstration projects, as follows:
''(1) Two demonstration projects shall focus on using the
abilities of direct-care workers to promote smooth transitions
in care and help to prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions.
Under these projects, direct-care workers shall be incorporated
as essential members of interdisciplinary care coordination
teams.
''(2) Two demonstration projects shall focus on maintaining
the health and improving the health status of those with
multiple chronic conditions and long-term care needs. Under
these projects, direct-care workers shall assist in monitoring
health status, ensuring compliance with prescribed care, and
educating and coaching the older individual involved and any
family caregivers.
''(3) Two demonstration projects shall focus on training
direct-care workers to take on deeper clinical responsibilities
related to specific diseases, including Alzheimer's and
dementia, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
''(c) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 'eligible entity'
means a consortium that consists of--
''(1) at least 1--
''(A) long-term care and rehabilitation facility;
or
''(B) home personal care service provider; and
''(2) at least 1--
''(A) hospital or health system;
''(B) labor organization or labor-management
partnership;
''(C) community-based aging service provider;
''(D) patient-centered medical home;
''(E) federally qualified health center;
''(F) managed care entity, including a managed
health and long-term care program;
''(G) entity that provides health services
training;
''(H) State-based public entity engaged in building
new roles and related curricula for direct-care
workers; or
''(I) any other entity that the Assistant Secretary
deems eligible based on integrated care criteria.
''(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, which shall include--
''(1) a description of the care coordination and service
delivery models of the entity, detailed on a general,
organizational, and staff level;
''(2) a description of how the demonstration project
carried out by the entity will improve care quality, including
specific objectives and anticipated outcomes that will be used
to measure success; and
''(3) a description of how the coordinated care team
approach with an enhanced role for the direct-care worker under
the demonstration project will increase efficiency and cost
effectiveness compared to past practice.
''(e) Planning Awards Under Demonstration Program.--
''(1) In general.--Each eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section shall receive a grant for planning
activities related to the demonstration project to be carried
out by the entity, including--
''(A) designing the implementation of the project;
''(B) identifying competencies and developing
curricula for the training of participating direct-care
workers;
''(C) developing training materials and processes
for other members of the interdisciplinary care team;
''(D) articulating a plan for identifying and
tracking cost savings gained from implementation of the
project and for achieving long-term financial
sustainability; and
''(E) articulating a plan for evaluating the
project.
''(2) Amount and term.--
''(A) Total amount.--The amount awarded under
paragraph (1) for all grants shall not exceed $600,000.
''(B) Term.--Activities carried out under a grant
awarded under paragraph (1) shall be completed not
later than 1 year after the grant is awarded.
''(f) Implementation Awards Under Demonstration Program.--
''(1) In general.--Each eligible entity may receive a grant
for implementation activities related to the demonstration
project to be carried out by the entity, if the Assistant
Secretary determines the entity--
''(A) has successfully carried out the activities
under the grant awarded under subsection (e);
''(B) offers a feasible plan for long-term
financial sustainability;
''(C) has constructed a meaningful model of
advancement for direct-care workers; and
''(D) aims to provide training to a sizeable number
of direct-care workers and to serve a sizeable number
of older individuals.
''(2) Use of funds.--The implementation activities
described under paragraph (1) shall include--
''(A) training of all care team members in
accordance with the design of the demonstration
project; and
''(B) evaluating the competency of all staff based
on project design.
''(3) Evaluation and report.--
''(A) Evaluation.--Each recipient of a grant under
paragraph (1), in consultation with an independent
evaluation contractor, shall evaluate--
''(i) the impact of training and deployment
of direct-care workers in advanced roles, as
described in this section, within each
participating entity on outcomes, such as
direct-care worker job satisfaction and
turnover, beneficiary and family caregiver
satisfaction with services, rate of
hospitalization of beneficiaries, and
additional measures determined by the
Secretary;
''(ii) the impact of such training and
deployment on the long-term services and
supports delivery system and resources;
''(iii) statement of the potential of the
use of direct-care workers in advanced roles to
lower cost and improve quality of care in the
Medicaid program; and
''(iv) long-term financial sustainability
of the model used under the grant and the
impact of such model on quality of care.
''(B) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after
completion of the demonstration program under this
section, each recipient of a grant under paragraph (1)
shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
implementation of activities conducted under the
demonstration project, including--
''(i) the outcomes, performance benchmarks,
lessons learned from the project;
''(ii) a statement of cost savings gained
from implementation of the project and how the
cost savings have been reinvested to improve
direct-care job quality and quality of care;
and
''(iii) results of the evaluation conducted
under subparagraph (A) with respect to such
activities, together with such recommendations
for legislation or administrative action for
expansion of the demonstration program on a
broader scale as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
''(4) Amount and term.--
''(A) Total amount.--The amount awarded under
paragraph (1) for all grants shall not exceed
$2,900,000.
''(B) Term.--Activities carried out under a grant
awarded under paragraph (1) shall be completed not
later than 3 years after the grant is awarded.''.
Output: Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens through Workforce Advancement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Administration on Aging to award grants for eligibleconsortia of health care providers and facilities to carry out six separate demonstration projects that focus on care coordination and service delivery for older individuals who havechronic illness or are at risk of institutional placement. Specifically, demonstration projects shall focus on: (1) using the abilities of direct-care workers to promote smooth transitions in care and help prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions, (2) maintaining and improving the health status of those with multiple chronic conditions and long-term needs, and (3) training direct-care workers to take on deeper clinical responsibilities.