Human Services Reauthorization Act

(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Human Services Reauthorization Act - Title I: Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for programs under such Act through FY 1986.

Makes a technical amendment referring to "the Commonwealth of" the Northern Mariana Islands.

Requires the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Provides that such minimum reservation shall not apply in any fiscal year in which the appropriation for the Head Start program is less than the amount appropriated for FY 1984. Prohibits such reserved funds from being combined with funds appropriated under any other Act if the purpose of combining funds is to make a single discretionay grant or payment, unless funds appropriated under the Head Start Act are separately identified in such grant or payment and are used for the purposes of such Act.

Revises provisions for designation of Head Start agencies. Requires that the designated agency be in the community which it serves. Requires the Secretary to give priority in the designation of such agencies to any local public or private nonprofit agency (or its successor agency) receiving funds under any Head Start program on a specified date, unless the Secretary makes a finding that the agency involved fails to meet program and fiscal requirements established by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Provides that any such designation shall be governed by the program and fiscal requirements, criteria, and standards applicable on September 1, 1983, to then existing Head Start agencies.

Prohibits the Secretary from making any change in the method, as in effect on April 25, 1984, of calculating income used to prescribe eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start programs assisted under the Head Start Act if such change would result in any reduction in, or exclusion from, participation of persons in any such programs.

Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide more than one year of Head Start services to children from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program is located.

Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance and training.) Requires that such training activities include: (1) a centralized child development and national assessment program which may be administered at the State or local level leading to recognized credentials for such personnel; and (2) resource access projects for such personnel working with handicapped children.

Revises provisions for research, demonstration, and pilot projects to include a prohibition against combining Head Start funds with funds appropriated under any other Act to make a single discretionary grant or payment, unless the Head Start funds are separately identified and are used for Head Start purposes.

Prohibits any revision in Head Start performance standards which would result in either the elimination of or the reduction in the scope or types of health, education, parent involvement, social, or other services required by the performance standards issued by the Secretary as in effect on November 2, 1978.

Amends community services programs provisions under chapter 8 of title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to add new provisions for grants to States for planning and development of dependent care programs.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for allotments to States to carry out specified activities relating to dependent care services.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to each State from its allotment. Sets forth a formula for determining such State allotments.

Allows such State allotments to be used for the planning, development, establishment, expansion, or improvement by the States, directly or by grant or contract with: (1) public or private entities, for State and local resource and referral systems to provide information concerning the availability, types, costs, and locations of dependent care services; and (2) public or private nonprofit organizations, for programs to furnish school-age child-care services before and after school in public or private school facilities where available or else in community centers. Requires that specified types of information be included in such resource and referral systems. Requires that specified assurances be provided by the State with respect to such school-age child care services. Requires that the State allotment be made available as follows: (1) 40 percent for resource and referral systems; and (2) 60 percent for school-age child care services. Sets forth limitations on the use of such funds. Limits the Federal share to not more than 75 percent of any project supported under such grants program. Limits to not more than ten percent of the State allotment that portion which may be used for administrative costs. Prohibits duplication of prior services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance to States in planning and operating activities to be carried out under such grants program.

Set forth application requirements under such grants program.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report, within three years after the enactment of this Act, to specified congressional committees on the activities conducted by the States with the amounts provided under such grants program.

Title II: Community Services Block Grant - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act (the Act, for purposes of this title) to authorize appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for the community services block grant program.

Revises the definition of "eligible entity" under the Act to also include any organization to which a State which applied for and received a specified waiver from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) made a grant under the Act in FY 1984. Authorizes the State Governor to decide to serve any geographic area of the State not presently served by an eligible entity in specified ways.

Permits a State to revise the poverty line for purposes of the community services block grant to 125 percent of the official poverty line established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget if the State determines that such revision will serve the objectives of such block grant.

Revises provisions for applications and requirements under the Act. Requires, for FY 1985 and subsequent fiscal years, that at least 90 percent of a State's community services block grant allotment be used to make grants for specified purposes to eligible entities or to organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers, except that no more than seven percent of such reserved funds shall be granted to organizations which were not eligible entities during the previous fiscal year. Revises the formula for determining the maximum portion of such allotment which the State may use for administrative expenses. Includes services under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 among those services for which a State may transfer a limited amount of its allotment. Requires States to provide assurances that any community action agency or migrant and seasonal farmworker organization which received funding in the previous fiscal year under the Act will not have its present or future funding terminated under the Act unless, after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, the State determines that cause existed for such termination subject to review by the Secretary.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct evaluations of the uses made of community services block grant funds in several States in each fiscal year; and (2) annually submit the results of such evaluations to specified congressional committees.

Sets forth requirements for the Secretary's review of terminations of funding.

Revises provisions for specified discretionary programs under the Act to limit funding for such programs to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations, but permits such funding to be made to a private nonprofit organization applying jointly with a business concern. Adds to those activities which may receive such discretionary funding training and technical assistance to aid States in carrying out their responsibilities under the Act.

Revises withholding provisions under the Act. Requires (currently authorizes) the Comptroller General to investigate the use of funds received by a State to ensure compliance with the Act. Eliminates a prohibition against the Secretary's requesting any information not readily available to a State or requiring that any information be compiled, collected, or transmitted in any new form not readily available, for purposes of such compliance investigations.

Adds new provisions for a community food and nutrition program under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary, through grants to public and private nonprofit agencies, to provide for community-based, local, and statewide programs to: (1) coordinate existing public and private food assistance resources where necessary to better serve low-income populations; (2) assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas; and (3) develop innovative approaches at the State and local level to meet the nutrition needs of low-income people. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for such community food and nutrition program.

Provides that specified amendments made by this Act to the provisions for applications and requirements shall apply to the funds appropriated for the Act for FY 1985.

Title III: Follow Through - Amends the Follow Through Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for Follow Through programs through FY 1986.

Extends the deadline for the prospective repeal of such Act from October 1, 1984, to October 1, 1986.

Title IV: Weatherization Program - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to allow a State to elect an income eligibility level for purposes of the Act which is the same as the basis for eligibility for assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, provided that such basis is at least 125 percent of the poverty level determined in accordance with criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Includes as "weatherization materials" for purposes of the Act furnace efficiency modifications, including (but not limited to): (1) replacement burners, furnaces, boilers, or any combination thereof; (2) devices for minimizing energy loss through heating system, chimney, or venting devices; and (3) electrical or mechanical furnace ignition systems which replace standing gas pilot lights.

Limits the average expenditure, per dwelling unit, of labor, weatherization materials, and related materials provided as weatherization assistance for all dwelling units in a State to $1,600. (Under current law, a maximum of $800 may be spent on weatherization materials and related matters for any dwelling unit, except that the Secretary of Energy may increase such limitation to $1,600 where necessary to pay labor costs.)

Provides that dwelling units partially weatherized under the Act or under other Federal programs during the period September 30, 1975, through September 30, 1979, may receive further financial assistance for weatherization under the Act.

Requires the Secretary of Energy, beginning in FY 1986, to allot at least five percent and not more than 15 percent of the amounts authorized for each fiscal year to a performance fund which shall provide financial assistance to those States which have demonstrated the best performance during the previous fiscal year in providing weatherization assistance.

Title V: Higher Education and Research Project - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, to pay the Federal share of the cost of the construction, and related costs, including renovation costs, for the Center for Excellence in Education facility, to be used as a national research and training resource for individuals who intend to become exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators. Sets forth application requirements for such assistance. Provides that the Federal share of such cost of the Center should not exceed 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose, to remain available until September 30, 1987.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide financial assistance to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, to pay the Federal share of the cost of the establishment and operation (including construction, renovation, and related costs) of a center for research on the health effects of nuclear energy and other new energy technologies. Sets forth application requirements for such assistance. Provides that the Federal share of the cost of the center shall not exceed 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose, to remain available under September 30, 1987.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the National Cancer Institute, to establish or support at least one clinic or health facility for cancer screening and research in St. George, Utah. Requires that such clinic be affiliated with a health science center capable of providing clinical, research and interdisciplinary technical assistance to such clinic or facility. Requires such clinic to make its services accessible to the residents of the areas that have received the greatest fallout from the Nevada nuclear tests. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose, to remain available until September 30, 1987.

Title VI: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to authorize appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for the low-income home energy assistance program.

Includes in the term "energy crisis" household energy related emergencies.

Revises the definition of "poverty level" for purposes of the Act to mean, with respect to a household in any State, the income poverty line as prescribed and revised at least annually pursuant to specified provisions of the Community Services Block Grant Act, as applicable to such State.

Requires the specified funds for low- income home energy assistance be reserved until March 15 of each year for energy crisis intervention, which may be administered by public or nonprofit entities having experience in and the capacity to administer such programs.

Repeals provisions for a State option to make direct payments to households under the Act.

Revises formulas for determining State allotments under the Act.

Revises the formula for determining household eligibility for low-income home energy assistance.

Revises other provisions relating to applications and requirements under the Act.

Requires, as part of the annual application for an allotment of funds for low-income home energy assistance, that a State agree to: (1) describe the procedures for identifying households eligible to participate in the low-income home energy assistance program and the manner in which the State determines benefit levels; (2) describe the amount which the State will reserve for energy crisis intervention and the administration procedures for designating an emergency and determining the assistance to be provided and for determining the use of funds reserved for energy crisis intervention but not expended for emergencies; (3) describe energy usage and the average cost of home energy in the State, identified by type of fuel and by region of the State; and (4) cooperate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to data collecting and reporting.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in programs assisted by the Act.

Requires State plans, in addition to describing how the State will carry out specified assurances, to contain: (1) estimates of the amount of funds the State will use for each of the programs under the plan; (2) descriptions of the eligibility requirements to be used by the State for each type of assistance to be provided under the Act; (3) descriptions of weatherization and other energy-related home repair the State will provide; and (4) other information determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be appropriate for purposes of the Act.

Eliminates provisions for waivers of specified certification requirements.

Requires States to expend funds in accordance with the State plan under the Act or in accordance with applicable revisions of such plan.

Revises audit provisions.

Requires that periodic evaluations by the Comptroller General of State expenditures under the Act be carried out at least once every three years.

Revises provisions relating to fiscal year requirements respecting availability of payments to States. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Requires States to include certain information with such requests. Sets forth reallotment requirements.

Revises requirements for studies under the Act to include studies of the number of households which received such assistance and which include one or more individuals who are 60 years or older or handicapped. Requires that the annual report on studies under the Act by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Congress be submitted by June 30 of each fiscal year and contain a detailed compilation of data.

Sets forth technical amendments and effective dates.

Title VII: Postsecondary Education Scholarship Program - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish a Carl D. Perkins Scholarship program and a national talented teachers fellowship program under title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of HEA.

Establishes the Carl D. Perkins Scholarship program to make grants to States for postsecondary education scholarships to a maximum of 10,000 individuals who are outstanding high school graduates to enable them to pursue teaching careers in elementary or secondary education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for such purpose.

Provides for allocation of such funds among the States on the basis of population.

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make such grants to States which submit applications which include specified procedures and agreements.

Requires the scholarship recipient, within the ten-year period after completing the postsecondary education for which the scholarship was awarded, to teach: (1) in a public elementary or secondary school in any State; (2) in a public education program in any State; (3) in a private nonprofit school located and serving students in a district eligible for assistance pursuant to chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet the Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981; or (4) on a full-time basis, handicapped children or children with limited English proficiency in a private nonprofit school. Requires that such teaching be for a period for two years for every year for which such scholarship assistance was received, but reduces such requirement by one-half in the case of individuals who teach: (1) in a school serving large numbers or high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students; or (2) children with limited English capacity or handicapped children. Requires scholarship recipients who do not comply with such teaching requirements to repay, all or part of the scholarship plus interest and reasonable collection fees, with specified exceptions.

Requires the State education agency (SEA) to assure that efforts will be made to attract students to such scholarship program who: (1) are from low-income backgrounds; or (2) express a willingness or desire to teach in schools having less than average results or serving large numbers of economically disadvantaged students.

Requires that the selection criteria and procedures to be used by the State reflect the present and projected teacher needs of the State. Requires the State, in developing such selection criteria and procedures, to solicit the views of State and local educational agencies, private educational institutions, and other interested parties. Sets forth required and authorized means of solicitation of such views.

Provides that each Carl D. Perkins Scholar shall receive a $5,000 scholarship for each academic year of postsecondary education for study in preparation to become an elementary or secondary education teacher. Limits such individual scholarship assistance to four years of postsecondary education, as determined by the State agency. Requires that such scholarship funds be taken into consideration in determining eligibility for other student assistance under HEA. Limits the amount of an individual scholarship to an amount which when added to other student assistance under HEA does not exceed the cost of attendance.

Requires that Carl D. Perkins Scholars be selected by: (1) a seven-member statewide panel appointed by the chief State elected official, acting in consultation with the SEA; or (2) by an existing panel designated by the chief State elected official and approved by the Secretary. Requires that such selections be made from students who have graduated or are graduating from high school and rank in the top ten percent of their graduating class. Requires the SEA to make applications available to high schools and in other convenient locations. Requires the statewide panel to develop criteria and procedures for selection. Permits such criteria to include grade point average, extracurricular activities, financial need, interest in teaching as expressed in an essay, and letters of recommendation.

Sets forth scholarship conditions, including full-time enrollment and satisfactory progress in a course of study leading to teacher certification.

Sets forth scholarship repayment provisions for recipients found by the SEA to be in noncompliance with agreements. Sets forth exceptions to such repayment provisions.

Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) Federal administration of State programs under specified circumstances; and (2) judicial review of the Secretary's actions toward State programs.

Establishes the national talented teachers fellowship program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 such fellowships for outstanding teachers. Limits to two and one-half percent that portion of such funds which may be used for administration.

Requires that such funds be used to award: (1) one national teacher fellowship to a public or private teacher teaching in each congressional district of each State, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (2) one such fellowship in Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Limits fellowship awards to the average national salary of public school teachers. Prohibits receipt of an award by any individual for two consecutive years. Requires talented teacher fellows to return to a teaching position in their current school district for at least two years following the award.

Permits such fellows to use such awards for such projects improving public education as the Secretary may approve, including: (1) sabbaticals for study, research, travel, or academic improvement; (2) consultation with or assistance to other school districts; (3) development of special innovative programs; or (4) model teacher programs and staff development.

Establishes a National Selection Board for Talented Teaching Fellows. Sets forth provisions for membership and procedures.

Requires fellowship applicants to submit proposals for projects, and indicate the extent to which they wish to continue current teaching duties, to the local education agency (LEA) for comment prior to submission to the statewide panel. Directs the statewide panel, in evaluating proposals, to: (1) consult with the LEA; (2) request recommendations from two teaching peers, the principal, and the superintendent; and (3) consider other appropriate criteria. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for such selections.

Requires that announcement of such awards be made in a public ceremony.

Requires repayment of the fellowship award to the Federal Government in the case of fraud or gross noncompliance.

Amends the Education for Economic Security Act to make a technical amendment.

Title VIII: Federal Merit Scholarships - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a Federal Merit Scholarship Program.

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to enable States to award scholarships to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and who show promise of continued academic achievement.

Provides that such scholarships shall be awarded for a period of one academic year for the first year of study at any institution of higher education which the student chooses to attend.

Provides for allocation of program funds to each State according to a formula based on the number of individuals in the State eligible for such scholarships.

Sets forth requirements for program agreements between the Secretary and each State desiring to participate in such scholarship program.

Requires that each student awarded such a scholarship: (1) be a graduate of a public or private secondary school or have the equivalent of a certificate of graduation as recognized by the State in which the student resides; and (2) have been admitted for enrollment at an institution of higher education.

Authorizes the State educational agency (SEA) to establish the criteria for the selection of merit scholars. Directs the SEA to adopt selection procedures designed to assure that ten individuals will be selected from among residents of each congressional district in a State (and in the case of the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico not to exceed ten individuals will be selected in such District or Commonwealth).

Provides that each student awarded a merit scholarship shall receive a stipend of $1,500 for the academic year of study for which it is awarded.

Directs the SEA to establish procedures under which merit scholars establish that they are maintaining satisfactory proficiency and devoting full time to the course of study for which the scholarship was awarded.

Directs the SEA to make arrangements to award merit scholarships at a place in each State which is convenient to the individuals selected as recipients. Provides that, to the extent possible, the awards shall be made by Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives (or by the Delegate from the District of Columbia or the Resident Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) who represent the State, Commonwealth or District from which the individuals come. Requires that the selection process be completed and the awards made prior to the end of each secondary academic year.

Provides that nothing in this or any other Act shall be construed to permit the receipt of a scholarship under the Federal Merit Scholarship Program to be counted for any needs test in connection with the awarding of any grant or the making of any loan under the Higher Education Act of 1965 or any other provision of Federal law relating to Federal assistance.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to carry out the Federal Merit Scholarship Program.

Title IX: Leadership in Educational Administration - Leadership in Educational Administration Development Act of 1984 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 to carry out this title. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) from such appropriations to make available amounts, up to a specified maximum per region, necessary to establish and operate a technical assistance center in each State.

Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts with local education agencies (LEAs), intermediate school districts, State educational agencies (SEAs), institutions of higher education, private management organizations, or nonprofit organizations (or consortium of such entities) to establish and operate such technical assistance training centers in each State.

Requires the contractor to: (1) make technical assistance center services available to school administrators from any of the LEAs in the State; (2) collect information on school leadership skills; (3) assess leadership skills of individual participants; (4) conduct leadership skills training for new and practicing school administrators, especially women and minority administrators; (5) operate consulting programs for school districts; (6) maintain training curricula and materials on leadership skills drawing on expertise in business, academia, civilian and military governmental agencies, and existing effective schools; (7) conduct programs which make available business executives, scholars, and practicing school administrators and which offer internships in business, industry, and in effective school districts to school administrators; (8) disseminate information on leadership skills associated with effective schools; and (9) establish model administrator projects. Directs the Secretary in selecting such contractors to take into account whether their programs would emphasize development of leadership skills identified by graduate schools of management and of education.

Requires contracts under this title to: (1) assure involvement of private sector managers and executives; (2) assure ongoing organizational commitment through obtaining matching funds, making in-kind contributions, demonstrating commitment to continue after expiration of funding under this title, and organizing a policy advisory committee including representatives from business, private foundations, LEAs, and SEAs; (3) demonstrate the level of development of human relations skills which its programs will instill; and (4) establish a system of program evaluation.

Provides that each contract under this title shall be for a three-year term. Makes such contracts non-renewable, but allows a single three-year extension to be granted if the contractor agrees to maintain the programs with assistance under this title reduced by one-half.

Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this title.

Title X: Native American Programs - Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to: (1) declare that determinations regarding financial assistance requests shall be made without regard to whether the agency or project to be assisted is for the benefit of Indians who are not members of a federally recognized tribe; and (2) prohibit the rejection of financial assistance solely on the grounds that the request serves Indians or an Indian organization in a nonreservation area.

Requires that programs under this title be administered within the Department of Health and Human Services (currently they may be delegated to other Federal departments and agencies). Prohibits any transfer of such administration outside of the Department.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to continue the administration of grants through the Administration for Native Americans (the Administration). Requires the Commissioner of such Administration to delegate all functions within the Administration.

Restricts the delegation and redelegation of functions by the Secretary to personnel within the Department.

Permits interagency funding agreements between the Administration and other Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1986.

Specifies the percentage of appropriated funds which shall be used for financial assistance under this title.