Summary:
Promoting Opportunity through Informed Choice Act

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to make on-line tools publicly available through the Social Security Administration website to allow all individuals eligible for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVI of the Social Security Act to assess the impact of earnings on their eligibility for, and amount of, benefits received through federal and state benefit programs.

promoting opportunity informed choice act directs commissioner social_security line tools publicly available social_security_administration website allow individuals eligible disability supplemental security income benefits titles survivors disability_insurance xvi social security act assess impact earnings eligibility benefits received federal state benefit programs


Summary:
Guiding Responsible and Improved Disability Decisions Act of 2015 or the GRIDD Act of 2015

The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe rules and regulations that update medical-vocational guidelines used in disability determinations.

guiding responsible improved disability decisions act act commissioner social_security shall prescribe rules regulations update medical vocational guidelines disability determinations


Summary:
Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2015

Extends to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury the eligibility to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs program of comprehensive assistance to family caregivers of such veterans. (Under current law, such eligibility is limited to those veterans who incurred such an injury on or after September 11, 2001.)

improvement act extends veterans service connected injury eligibility participate department_of_veterans_affairs program comprehensive assistance family caregivers veterans current law eligibility limited veterans incurred injury september


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act

Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to carry out research for the advancement of orthotic and prosthetic clinical care for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians who have undergone amputation, traumatic brain injury, and other serious physical injury as a result of combat or military experience.

Includes under such research the prevention of amputations, orthotic and prosthetic intervention, and orthotics and prosthetic materials and technology research.

directs secretary defense award grants carry research advancement orthotic prosthetic clinical care members armed_forces veterans civilians undergone traumatic brain injury physical injury result combat military experience includes research prevention orthotic prosthetic intervention orthotics prosthetic materials technology research


Summary:
Improving the Integrity of Disability Evidence Act

This bill amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the Commissioner of Social Security from considering (except for good cause) any medical evidence with respect to whether an individual is under a disability which is furnished by: (1) any individual convicted of a felony relating to Medicare fraud, (2) any individual or entity excluded from participation in any federal health care program, and (3) any person with respect to whom a civil monetary penalty or assessment has been imposed for the submission of false evidence.

improving evidence act bill amends social security act prohibit commissioner social_security considering good cause medical evidence respect individual disability furnished individual convicted felony relating medicare fraud individual entity excluded participation federal health care program person respect civil monetary penalty assessment imposed submission false evidence


Summary:
Improving Oversight and Accountability in Medicaid Non-DSH Supplemental Payments Act

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue guidance to states that identifies permissible methods for calculation of non-DSH (disproportionate share) supplemental payments to providers, (2) establish annual reporting requirements for states making non-DSH supplemental payments, and (3) establish requirements for states making non-DSH supplemental payments to conduct and submit to the Secretary an annual independent certified audit.

No federal payment under Medicaid may be made to a state for any expenditures to make non-DSH supplemental payments unless the state complies with the reporting and auditing requirements of this Act.

accountability bill amends title xix medicaid social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services issue guidance states identifies permissible methods calculation disproportionate share supplemental payments providers establish annual reporting requirements states making non dsh supplemental payments establish requirements states making non dsh supplemental payments conduct submit secretary annual independent certified audit federal payment medicaid state expenditures non dsh supplemental payments state complies reporting auditing requirements act


Summary:
Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Improvement Act of 2015

Allows a veteran to pursue a course of education and training as part of a rehabilitation program only if the course is approved under Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational rehabilitation requirements.

Makes veterans enrolled in a VA vocational rehabilitation program eligible for VA specially adapted housing.

 Bars dual eligibility for home adaptation services.

Authorizes the VA to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need and upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other appropriate factors.

 Directs the VA to reduce information technology redundancy and inefficiencies in the rehabilitation claims process.

employment improvement act allows veteran pursue course education training rehabilitation program course approved department_of_veterans_affairs vocational rehabilitation requirements makes veterans enrolled vocational rehabilitation program eligible specially adapted housing bars dual eligibility home adaptation services authorizes prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based need consideration disability ratings severity employment qualification program independent living income appropriate factors directs reduce information technology inefficiencies rehabilitation claims process


Summary:
Disability Fraud Reduction and Unethical Deception (FRAUD) Prevention Act

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to authorize the Social Security Administration (SSA) to disqualify or suspend immediately from appearing as a claimant representative before it any individual who has been convicted of a felony in a federal or state court, or, in the case of an attorney, upon the individual's disbarment from any court or bar to which he or she was previously admitted to practice.

Amends SSAct titles II, VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) to subject to criminal penalties for fraud any conspiracy to commit specified offenses, and increase criminal as well as civil monetary penalties for certain individuals in positions of trust who commit fraud.

Amends SSAct title II to direct the SSA to establish rules under which fines and other appropriate sanctions may be imposed on claimant representatives for failure to comply with the SSA rules and regulations.

Amends SSAct title XI to: (1) establish a civil monetary penalty for any claimant representative who knowingly charges for services rendered in excess of the maximum fee prescribed by the SSA or allowed by a court, and (2) direct the SSA periodically to adjust civil monetary penalty maximum amounts for inflation.

Requires federal courts (which currently are merely authorized) to order defendants convicted of Social Security fraud to provide restitution to victims in certain cases.

Amends SSAct title II to ban any payment of benefits to individuals on whom a civil monetary penalty is imposed for fraudulently concealing work activity.

Directs the Inspector General of the SSA to conduct biennial reviews of the practices of a sample of the highest earning claimant representatives to ensure compliance with SSA policies.

disability fraud reduction unethical deception fraud prevention act amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act ssact authorize social_security_administration ssa disqualify suspend immediately appearing claimant representative individual convicted felony federal state court case attorney individual court bar previously admitted practice amends ssact titles viii special benefits certain world war veterans subject criminal penalties fraud conspiracy commit specified offenses increase criminal civil monetary penalties certain individuals positions trust commit fraud amends ssact title direct ssa establish rules fines appropriate sanctions imposed claimant representatives failure comply ssa rules regulations amends ssact title establish civil monetary penalty claimant representative knowingly charges services rendered excess maximum fee prescribed ssa allowed court direct ssa periodically adjust civil monetary penalty maximum amounts inflation requires federal courts currently merely authorized order defendants convicted social_security fraud provide restitution victims certain cases amends ssact title ban payment benefits individuals civil monetary penalty imposed fraudulently concealing work activity directs inspector general ssa conduct biennial reviews practices sample highest earning claimant representatives ensure compliance ssa policies


Summary:
School Attendance Improves Lives Act of 2015

 Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to condition SSI benefits for disabled children aged 16 or 17 on school attendance, except where the Social Security Administration determines that the individual has good medical cause to not attend school for part or all of a month.

school attendance improves lives act amends title xvi supplemental security income ssi social security act condition ssi benefits disabled children aged school attendance social_security_administration determines individual good medical cause attend school month


Summary:
Sanchez-Young Social Security Disability Insurance for the Terminally Ill Act

 This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance benefits for terminally ill individuals with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, as determined by a primary care provider, medical specialist, or other qualified provider, or who would otherwise suffer undue hardship by application of a waiting period.

bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act eliminate waiting period disability insurance benefits terminally ill individuals life expectancy months determined primary care provider medical specialist qualified provider suffer undue hardship application waiting period


Summary:
National Care Corps Act of 2015

 Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the National Care Corps through which Corps volunteers provide certain services to individuals in need who are age 65 or older or have a disability and have difficulty with self-care or living independently.

establishes department_of_health_and_human_services national care corps corps volunteers provide certain services individuals need age older disability difficulty self care living independently


Summary: Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the seven-year restriction on eligibility for widow's and widower's insurance benefits based on disability.

amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act repeal seven year restriction eligibility widow widower insurance benefits based disability


Summary:
Building on Local District Flexibility in IDEA Act

This bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to add exceptions to the maintenance of effort requirement for local education agencies (LEAs). Specifically, an LEA may reduce its level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities below the level of those expenditures for the preceding fiscal year where such reduction is attributable to: (1) improved efficiencies that do not result in a reduction of special education services; or (2) the reduction of expenditures for employment-related benefits provided to special education personnel, provided that such reduction of expenditures does not result in a reduction in special education services.

Furthermore, a state may waive the maintenance of effort requirement for an LEA for one fiscal year at a time if the state determines that: (1) all children with disabilities have available to them a free, appropriate public education; or (2) the LEA has not reduced the level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities for such fiscal year disproportionately to other expenditures, and granting a waiver would be equitable due to exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances or a precipitous and unforeseen decline in the LEA's financial resources.

building local district flexibility idea act bill amends individuals_with_disabilities_education_act add exceptions maintenance effort requirement local education agencies leas specifically lea reduce level expenditures education children disabilities level expenditures preceding fiscal year reduction attributable improved efficiencies result reduction special education services reduction expenditures employment related benefits provided special education personnel provided reduction expenditures result reduction special education services furthermore state waive maintenance effort requirement lea fiscal year time state determines children disabilities available free appropriate public education lea reduced level expenditures education children disabilities fiscal year disproportionately expenditures granting waiver equitable exceptional uncontrollable circumstances unforeseen decline lea financial resources


Summary:
Refueling Assistance Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study motor vehicle refueling assistance to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requires the DOT to report to Congress the study results and any recommendations for imposing feasible and cost-effective requirements on gas stations to improve motor vehicle refueling assistance for such individuals.

Authorizes the DOT to impose a civil penalty on persons who knowingly violate any regulations issued under this Act.

refueling assistance act dot study motor vehicle refueling assistance qualified individuals disabilities requires dot report congress study results recommendations imposing feasible cost effective requirements gas stations improve motor vehicle refueling assistance individuals authorizes dot impose civil penalty persons knowingly violate regulations issued act


Summary: Requires post offices, within two years after enactment of this Act, to comply with public accommodation standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

requires post offices years enactment act comply public accommodation standards americans disabilities act


Summary:
This bill amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive applicable general and Medicaid requirements of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in order to conduct demonstration projects through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMS Innovation Center) that involve PACE.

 HHS may not, as part of a CMS Innovation Center demonstration, waive: (1) the requirement to offer items and services under Medicare and Medicaid without limitation to PACE program enrollees, and (2) certain requirements regarding enrollment in and disenrollment from PACE programs.

bill amends general provisions title social security act authorize department_of_health_and_human_services hhs waive applicable general medicaid requirements pace order conduct demonstration projects center medicare medicaid_innovation cms innovation center involve pace hhs demonstration waive requirement offer items services medicare medicaid limitation pace program enrollees certain requirements enrollment disenrollment pace programs


Summary:
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2015

 Requires newly constructed, federally assisted single family houses and town houses to include at least one level that complies with the Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (1005-ICC ANSI A117.1-2009) and any future revisions.

Requires: (1) each applicant for federal financial assistance to submit compliance assurances to the relevant federal agency, and (2) each person who arranges for design or construction of a covered dwelling to submit architectural and construction plans for state or local approval. Prohibits federal financial assistance to a state or local government unit unless the recipient is taking certain enforcement actions with regard to covered dwellings.

Permits: (1) private civil actions in a U.S. district court or state court for violations of this Act, and (2) the Attorney General to commence civil actions or intervene in civil actions under this Act.

requires newly constructed federally assisted single family houses town houses include level complies units american_national_standards_institute ansi standards accessible usable buildings facilities icc ansi future revisions requires applicant federal financial assistance submit compliance assurances relevant federal agency person arranges design construction covered dwelling submit architectural construction plans state local approval prohibits federal financial assistance state local government unit recipient taking certain enforcement actions regard covered dwellings permits private civil actions district court state court violations act attorney general commence civil actions intervene civil actions act


Summary:
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2015

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act with respect to determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit, including any lump-sum death payment, payable under OASDI on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual. Wages shall be deemed to have been paid (according to a specified formula) during each month in which the individual was engaged for at least 80 hours in providing care to a dependent relative without monetary compensation for up to five years of such service. This bill is not applicable in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment if a larger benefit or payment would be payable without its application.

social_security_caregiver_credit_act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act respect determining entitlement monthly benefit including lump sum death payment payable oasdi basis wages self employment income individual wages shall deemed paid according specified formula month individual engaged hours providing care dependent relative monetary compensation years service bill applicable case monthly benefit lump sum death payment larger benefit payment payable application


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 17, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that an eligible disabled veteran provided an automobile or other conveyance is given the opportunity to make personal selections relating to such conveyance.

(Sec. 3) The VA shall develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality standards for providers of modification services to veterans under the automobile adaptive equipment program.

Such policy shall cover: (1) management of the automobile adaptive equipment program, (2) development and application of safety and quality standards for equipment and installation, (3) provider certification by a third party organization or manufacturer, (4) manufacturer certification of a provider, (5) education and training of VA personnel, (6) provider compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and (7) allowance for veterans to receive modifications at their residence or location of choice.

 The VA shall approve a manufacturer as a certifying manufacturer if such manufacturer demonstrates that its certification standards meet or exceed the quality standards provided for by this bill.

 The VA may approve two or more private, nonprofit organizations as third party, nonprofit certifying organizations.

 The VA shall: (1) within one year and at least every six years thereafter, update VHA Handbook 1173.4 in accordance with such policy; and (2) within one year of such update and biennially thereafter through 2022, report on policy implementation and facility compliance.

The VA shall: (1) develop and revise such policy in consultation with veteran service organizations, the National Highway Transportation Administration, industry representatives, manufacturers of automobile adaptive equipment, and other entities with relevant expertise; and (2) ensure against the use of a certifying entity that has a financial conflict of interest regarding the certification of an eligible provider.

(Sec. 4) The VA may appoint licensed hearing aid specialists to the Veterans Health Administration.

The VA shall ensure that: (1) a hearing aid specialist may only perform hearing services consistent with the specialist's state license related to the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids, without excluding other qualified professionals from rendering services in overlapping practice areas; (2) services provided to veterans by hearing aid specialists shall be provided as part of the non-medical treatment plan developed by an audiologist; and (3) VA medical facilities provide veterans with access to the full range of audiologist services.

The VA shall, within one year and annually thereafter for the next five years, report on: (1) veterans access to such hearing health services; and (2) VA contracting policies for providing hearing health services to veterans in non-VA facilities, including the number of veterans referred to audiologists and hearing aid specialists.

measure amended passed senate november summary version repeated veterans mobility safety act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs ensure eligible disabled veteran provided automobile conveyance given opportunity personal selections relating conveyance sec shall develop comprehensive policy quality standards providers modification services veterans automobile adaptive equipment program policy shall cover management automobile adaptive equipment program development application safety quality standards equipment installation provider certification party organization manufacturer manufacturer certification provider education training personnel provider compliance americans disabilities act allowance veterans receive modifications residence location choice shall approve manufacturer certifying manufacturer manufacturer demonstrates certification standards meet exceed quality standards provided bill approve private nonprofit organizations party nonprofit certifying organizations shall year years update vha handbook accordance policy year update biennially report policy implementation facility compliance shall develop revise policy consultation veteran service organizations industry representatives manufacturers automobile adaptive equipment entities relevant expertise ensure use certifying entity financial conflict interest certification eligible provider sec appoint licensed hearing aid specialists veterans_health_administration shall ensure hearing aid specialist perform hearing services consistent specialist state license related practice fitting dispensing hearing aids excluding qualified professionals rendering services overlapping practice areas services provided veterans hearing aid specialists shall provided non medical treatment plan developed audiologist medical facilities provide veterans access range audiologist services shall year annually years report veterans access hearing health services contracting policies providing hearing health services veterans non-va facilities including number veterans referred audiologists hearing aid specialists


Summary:
Disability Insurance Protection and Fraud Prevention Act of 2015

 Requires the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration to increase the number of cooperative disability investigative units to 54 and distribute them equally among the most densely populated areas.

Prohibits the Commissioner of Social Security, in determining whether an individual is under a disability for insurance benefit payment purposes, from considering: (1) an individual as approaching advanced age unless he or she has attained age 58; (2) an individual as having attained advanced age unless he or she has attained age 61; and (3) the individual's inability to communicate in English as a vocational factor.

Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to eliminate consideration of the combined effect of impairments in disability determinations.

Makes appropriations for continuing disability reviews for FY2016-FY2020. Directs the Commissioner to assess for Congress after FY2018 the amount of savings attained as a result of such appropriations in the federal disability program under the OASDI and the SSI programs.

Requires the Commissioner to describe for Congress the designs of: (1) a disability demonstration program, (2) a state demonstration program to revise specified existing funding streams for specific populations to improve outcomes and reduce participation in SSI or Social Security disability insurance, and (3) a demonstration program that encourages employers to reduce the incidence of disability among their employees by 20% through a voluntary program that provides the employers with a tax credit if their employees do not file for Social Security disability insurance.

fraud prevention act requires inspector general social_security_administration increase number cooperative disability investigative units distribute equally populated areas prohibits commissioner social_security determining individual disability insurance benefit payment purposes considering individual approaching advanced age attained age individual having attained advanced age attained age individual inability communicate english vocational factor amends titles survivors disability insurance oasdi xvi supplemental security income ssi social security act eliminate consideration combined effect impairments disability determinations makes appropriations continuing disability reviews fy2016-fy2020 directs commissioner assess congress fy2018 savings attained result appropriations federal disability program oasdi ssi programs requires commissioner describe congress designs disability demonstration program state demonstration program revise specified existing funding streams specific populations improve outcomes reduce participation ssi social_security disability insurance demonstration program encourages employers reduce incidence disability employees voluntary program provides employers tax credit employees file social_security disability insurance


Summary:
ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015

This bill requires the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice to develop a program to educate state and local governments and property owners on strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with a disability. The program may include training for professionals to provide a guidance of remediation for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The bill prohibits persons from, and subjects violators to a criminal fine for, sending demand letters or other pre-suit notifications alleging a violation of ADA public accommodation requirements if the notification does not specify the circumstances under which an individual was actually denied access. The notification must specify: (1) the address of property, (2) the specific ADA sections alleged to have been violated, (3) whether a request for assistance in removing an architectural barrier was made, and (4) whether the barrier was permanent or temporary.

The bill also prohibits commencement of civil action based on the failure to remove an architectural barrier to access into an existing public accommodation unless: (1) the aggrieved person has provided to the owners or operators a written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, and (2) the owners or operators fail to provide the person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to improve the barrier or they fail to remove the barrier or make substantial progress after providing such a description.

The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop a model program to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve such claims. The model program should include an expedited method for determining relevant facts related to such barriers and steps to resolve accessibility issues before litigation.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

reform_act bill requires develop program educate state local governments property owners strategies promoting access public accommodations persons disability program include training professionals provide guidance remediation potential violations americans disabilities act ada bill prohibits persons subjects violators criminal fine sending demand letters pre suit notifications alleging violation ada public accommodation requirements notification specify circumstances individual actually denied access notification specify address property specific ada sections alleged violated request assistance removing architectural barrier barrier permanent temporary bill prohibits commencement civil action based failure remove architectural barrier access existing public accommodation aggrieved person provided owners operators written notice specific identify barrier owners operators fail provide person written description outlining improvements improve barrier fail remove barrier substantial progress providing description judicial conference united_states develop model program promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms resolve claims model program include expedited method determining relevant facts related barriers steps resolve accessibility issues litigation


Summary:
IDEA High Cost Pool Funding Act

This bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to establish additional grants for the purpose of assisting states in addressing the needs of high-need children with disabilities. The bill establishes limitations on grant amounts and how grant funds may be used.

To be eligible to receive such a grant, a state shall: (1) provide matching funds equal to at least 25% of the grant amount; and (2) provide any information that the Department of Education may require, as specified by the bill.

A state may request a waiver of certain grant requirements that are incompatible with aspects of the state's governmental structure.

idea high cost pool funding act bill amends individuals disabilities act idea establish additional grants purpose assisting states addressing needs high need children disabilities bill establishes limitations grant amounts grant funds eligible receive grant state shall provide matching funds equal grant provide information department_of_education require specified bill state request waiver certain grant requirements incompatible aspects state governmental structure


Summary:
Avonte's Law Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to law enforcement agencies to: (1) reduce the risk of injury and death relating to the wandering characteristics of some individuals with autism and other disabilities, and (2) safeguard the well-being of individuals with disabilities during interactions with law enforcement.

It requires grant awards to be used to: (1) provide education and resources to law enforcement agencies, first responders, schools, clinicians, and the public in order to reduce the risk of wandering by such individuals, help to identify signs of abuse in such individuals, increase their personal safety and survival skills, and facilitate effective communication with individuals who have communication-related disabilities; (2) provide training and emergency protocols for school administrators, staff, and families; (3) provide response tools and training for law enforcement and search-and-rescue agencies, including tracking technology; or (4) provide response tools and training to law enforcement agencies in order to recognize and respond to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 DOJ must establish standards and best practices relating to the use of tracking technology to monitor children with autism and other disabilities. It requires each law enforcement agency that receives a grant to comply with any such standards and best practices.

avonte law act bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize department_of_justice doj grants law enforcement agencies reduce risk injury death relating wandering characteristics individuals autism disabilities safeguard individuals disabilities interactions law enforcement requires grant awards provide education resources law enforcement agencies responders schools clinicians public order reduce risk wandering individuals help identify signs abuse individuals increase personal safety survival skills facilitate effective communication individuals communication related disabilities provide training emergency protocols school administrators staff families provide response tools training law enforcement search rescue agencies including tracking technology provide response tools training law enforcement agencies order recognize respond individuals intellectual developmental disabilities doj establish standards best practices relating use tracking technology monitor children autism disabilities requires law enforcement agency receives grant comply standards best practices


Summary:
Gas Pump Access Act of 2016

This bill declares that it shall be a prohibited form of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in a place of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for a gas station or convenience store to fail to clearly display at each self-service gas pump a decal that includes its telephone number and the words "Call for Assistance."

A gas station or convenience store that is open for business to the public with at least two attendants on duty must provide gas pumping assistance to a qualified individual with a disability who makes a request for such assistance. But it shall not be considered discrimination for a gas station or convenience store with one attendant on duty to fail to provide such requested gas pumping assistance if such attendant notifies the individual that assistance cannot be provided because there is only one attendant on duty.

The Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice must promulgate regulations necessary to ensure compliance with this bill and make graphics for the decals publicly available on their websites.

gas pump access act bill declares shall prohibited form discrimination individuals disabilities place public accommodation americans disabilities act gas station convenience store fail clearly display self service gas pump includes telephone number words assistance gas station convenience store open business public attendants duty provide gas pumping assistance qualified individual disability makes request assistance shall considered discrimination gas station convenience store attendant duty fail provide requested gas pumping assistance attendant notifies individual assistance provided attendant duty department_of_transportation department_of_justice promulgate regulations necessary ensure compliance bill publicly available websites


Summary:
Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility Act or the COMPLI Act

This bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit persons aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they: (1) provide the owner or operator of the accommodation with a written notice that is specific enough to identify the violation; (2) specify in the notice that the owner or operator has 90 days to remove or correct the violation before an action will be brought; and (3) refrain from sending demand letters, requests for settlement, or other communications to the owner or operator during such 90-day period.

An owner or operator of a public accommodation who is provided such a notice must notify the public of the alleged violation and the steps being taken to remedy it.

Owners or operators are entitled to an additional 30 days to comply if they make a good faith effort but are unable to correct the violation within the original 90-day period.

A civil action for discrimination based on such a violation may not be commenced while a civil action relating to the same violation is pending.

correcting obstructions prevent limit inaccessibility act act bill amends americans disabilities act prohibit persons aggrieved certain public accommodation violations commencing civil action discrimination provide owner operator accommodation written notice specific identify violation specify notice owner operator days remove correct violation action brought refrain sending demand letters requests settlement communications owner operator day period owner operator public accommodation provided notice notify public alleged violation steps taken remedy owners operators entitled additional days comply good faith effort unable correct violation original day period civil action discrimination based violation commenced civil action relating violation pending


Summary:
ABLE Financial Planning Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in qualified tuition programs (529 plans) to qualified ABLE programs and from qualified ABLE programs to qualified tuition programs. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)

able financial planning act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow tax free rollovers amounts qualified tuition programs plans qualified able programs qualified able programs qualified tuition programs tax favored able achieving better life experience accounts designed enable individuals disabilities save pay disability related expenses


Summary:
ABLE to Work Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to ABLE accounts (tax-exempt savings accounts for persons with a disability), to allow: (1) an ABLE account beneficiary to make contributions to an ABLE account equal to the lesser of such beneficiary's compensation or an amount equal to the federal poverty line for a one-person household, and (2) a retirement savings tax credit for contributions to an ABLE account.

able work act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect able accounts tax exempt savings accounts persons disability allow able account beneficiary contributions able account equal lesser beneficiary compensation equal federal poverty line person household retirement savings tax credit contributions able account


Summary:
ABLE Age Adjustment Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified ABLE programs, to increase the  threshold for eligibility for such programs from age 26 to age 46. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)

able age adjustment act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect qualified able programs increase threshold eligibility programs age age tax favored able achieving better life experience accounts designed enable individuals disabilities save pay disability related expenses


Summary:
Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act

This bill amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) ensure that all programs funded under such Act include appropriate training in elder abuse prevention and services addressing elder justice and exploitation; and (2) update periodically the need for such training related to prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including financial exploitation) of older adults.

The Administration has a duty and function to: (1) establish priority information and assistance services for older individuals; and (2) develop a National Eldercare Locator Service, with a nationwide toll free number.

The Administration shall establish a National Adult Protective Services Resources Center.

Each area plan shall provide that the area agency on aging: (1) increases public awareness of elder abuse and financial exploitation, and removes barriers to elder abuse education, prevention, investigation, and treatment; and (2) reports instances of elder abuse.

The Administration shall make grants to states with approved plans for elder abuse and neglect screening.

A state operating a nutrition project shall encourage distributors of nutrition services to distribute information on diabetes, elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and the annual Medicare wellness exam.

A state, an area agency on aging, a nonprofit organization, or a tribal organization shall use a grant for an older individuals' protection from violence project to replicate successful prevention and training models.

The Administration shall award grants to and contract with eligible organizations for projects to engage volunteers over age 50 in supporting older adults (and their families or caretakers) who have experienced or are at risk of elder abuse.

A state may use funds under the National Family Caregiver Support Program to support the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

elder protection abuse prevention act bill amends older americans act direct ensure programs funded act include appropriate training elder abuse prevention services addressing elder justice exploitation update periodically need training related prevention abuse neglect exploitation including financial exploitation older adults administration duty function establish priority information assistance services older individuals develop national_eldercare_locator_service nationwide toll free number administration shall establish national adult protective services resources center area plan shall provide area agency aging increases public awareness elder abuse financial exploitation removes barriers elder abuse education prevention investigation treatment reports instances elder abuse administration shall grants states approved plans elder abuse neglect screening state operating nutrition project shall encourage distributors nutrition services distribute information diabetes elder abuse neglect financial exploitation annual medicare wellness exam state area agency aging nonprofit organization tribal organization shall use grant older individuals protection violence project replicate successful prevention training models administration shall award grants contract eligible organizations projects engage volunteers age supporting older adults families experienced risk elder abuse state use funds national_family_caregiver_support_program support office_of_the_state_long-term_care_ombudsman


Summary:
ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2016

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and require their payment starting the first month during all of which the individual is under a disability and in which the individual becomes entitled to the benefits.

act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act eliminate month waiting period disability insurance benefits individuals lateral sclerosis require payment starting month individual disability individual entitled benefits


Summary:
529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax treatment of qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) and ABLE accounts. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)

The bill excludes from gross income a fringe benefit consisting of up to $100 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2016) of employer contributions to an employee's 529 or ABLE account. The employer contribution must be made: (1) to an account for which the designated beneficiary is the employee or a member of the employee's family, and (2) in connection with a payroll deduction contribution program established by the employer.

The bill also: (1) expands the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs to include the costs of establishing a payroll deduction contribution program for 529 plans and ABLE accounts;(2) permits 529 funds to be used for transfers to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), education loan payments, or charitable contributions without being subject to the additional tax for distributions that are not used for qualified higher education expenses; and (3) permits tax-free rollovers of funds between 529 and ABLE accounts for the benefit of the same beneficiary or a family member of the beneficiary.

For the purpose of current law restrictions on the frequency of investment directions that a beneficiary or contributor may provide for a 529 or ABLE account, rebalancing investments among broad-based investment strategies established under the program is not an investment direction unless the beneficiary or contributor directs the specific investments within the strategies.

able account improvement act bill amends internal_revenue_code modify tax treatment qualified tuition programs known plans able accounts tax favored able achieving better life experience accounts designed enable individuals disabilities save pay disability related expenses bill excludes gross income fringe benefit consisting year adjusted inflation employer contributions employee able account employer contribution account designated beneficiary employee member employee family connection payroll deduction contribution program established employer bill expands tax credit small employer pension plan startup costs include costs establishing payroll deduction contribution program plans able permits funds transfers individual retirement account ira education loan payments charitable contributions subject additional tax distributions qualified higher education expenses permits tax free rollovers funds able accounts benefit beneficiary family member beneficiary purpose current law restrictions frequency investment directions beneficiary contributor provide able account investments broad based investment strategies established program investment direction beneficiary contributor directs specific investments strategies


Summary:
Social Security Disability Fairness Act of 2016

 This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prescribe formulae for payment of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits over a period of 24 consecutive calendar months for individuals determined to be under a disability upon submission of a diagnosis of a terminal illness.

fairness act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act prescribe formulae payment social_security_disability_insurance benefits period consecutive calendar months individuals determined disability submission diagnosis terminal illness


Summary:
Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to: (1) establish specified new disability classifications, and (2) require periodic continuing disability reviews for beneficiaries classified as "medical improvement possible" or "medical improvement not likely."

The bill revises the standard of review for termination of disability benefits regarding an individual engaged in substantial gainful work as part of a certain process.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) shall promulgate or revise, as appropriate, regulations relating to the determination, classification, and review of the disability status of individuals who apply for or receive disability insurance benefits.

SSAct title II is amended to: (1) prescribe time limits for disability benefits classified "medical improvement expected" or "medical improvement likely," and (2) direct the SSA to establish a process for an individual entitled to a disability insurance benefit to elect to return to employment and receive an adjusted disability insurance benefit amount.

The SSA shall determine the amount of any reduction in expenditures from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the preceding calendar year. 10% of that amount shall be made available for continuing disability reviews.

work act bill amends title old age survivors disability_insurance social security act ssact establish specified new disability classifications require periodic continuing disability reviews beneficiaries classified medical improvement possible medical improvement likely bill revises standard review termination disability benefits individual engaged substantial gainful work certain process social_security_administration ssa shall promulgate revise appropriate regulations relating determination classification review disability status individuals apply receive disability insurance benefits ssact title amended prescribe time limits disability benefits classified medical improvement expected medical improvement likely direct ssa establish process individual entitled disability insurance benefit elect return employment receive adjusted disability insurance benefit ssa shall determine reduction expenditures federal_disability_insurance_trust_fund preceding calendar year shall available continuing disability reviews


Summary:
Disability Integration Act of 2016

This bill prohibits states or local governments that provide institutional placements for individuals with disabilities who need long-term assistance with daily living activities or health-related tasks, and prohibits insurance providers that fund such long-term services, from denying community-based services that would enable such individuals, as an alternative to institutionalization, to live in the community and lead an independent life.

States, local governments, or insurance providers may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by: (1) imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, waiting lists, or payment structures; (2) failing to provide a specific community-based service; or (3) requiring an individual to receive a service in a congregate or disability-specific setting.

Community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives.

States, local governments, and public insurance providers must assess: (1) transportation barriers that prevent individuals from receiving services in integrated settings, and (2) the availability of integrated employment opportunities.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must issue regulations requiring states, local governments, or insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services as an alternative to institutional placement. State and local governments, in conjunction with housing agencies, must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy.

Such regulations must also require states and local governments to begin implementing a transition plan to achieve the requirements of this Act within 12 years after its enactment. For 10 years after issuance of the regulations, HHS must determine annually whether each state is complying with the transition plan. If a state is complying, HHS must increase by five percentage points the federal medical assistance percentage for a state requesting an increase for expenditures on home and community-based services furnished under the state Medicaid plan under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, or a waiver of such plan, that are identified as: (1) improvements to ensure accessibility or self-directed receipt of such services, (2) funding shifts from institutional settings to integrated community-based services, or (3) environmental modifications for housing targeted toward the lowest income individuals.

The bill provides for DOJ enforcement and allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of this bill.

disability integration act bill prohibits states local governments provide institutional placements individuals disabilities need long term assistance daily living activities health related tasks prohibits insurance providers fund long term services denying community based services enable individuals alternative institutionalization live community lead independent life states local governments insurance providers discriminate individuals provision community based services imposing prohibited eligibility criteria cost caps waiting lists payment structures failing provide specific community based service requiring individual receive service congregate disability specific setting community based services offered individuals disabilities prior institutionalization institutionalized individuals notified regularly community based alternatives states local governments public insurance providers assess transportation barriers prevent individuals receiving services integrated settings availability integrated employment opportunities department_of_justice doj department_of_health_and_human_services hhs issue regulations requiring states local governments insurance providers offer community based long term services alternative institutional placement state local governments conjunction housing agencies ensure sufficient availability affordable accessible integrated housing disability specific residential setting setting services tied tenancy regulations require states local governments begin implementing transition plan achieve requirements act years enactment years issuance regulations hhs determine annually state complying transition plan state complying hhs increase percentage points federal medical assistance percentage state requesting increase expenditures home community based services furnished state medicaid plan title xix medicaid social security act waiver plan identified improvements ensure accessibility self directed receipt services funding shifts institutional settings integrated community based services environmental modifications housing targeted lowest income individuals bill provides doj enforcement allows civil actions individuals subjected subjected violation bill


Summary:
Transition to Independence Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program over five fiscal years, beginning with FY2018, under which a Medicaid Buy-In State meeting certain criteria may receive bonus payments for:

 meeting specific measurable benchmarks in expanding individual integrated employment and reducing subminimum wage work, congregate setting work, or facility-based day habilitation placements for working-age individuals with a disability receiving Medicaid-funded home or community-based services; and taking other actions conducive to expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the state.

transition independence act bill directs department_of_health_and_human_services establish demonstration program fiscal years beginning fy2018 medicaid buy state meeting certain criteria receive bonus payments meeting specific measurable benchmarks expanding individual integrated employment reducing wage work congregate setting work facility based day placements working age individuals disability receiving medicaid funded home community based services taking actions conducive expanding employment opportunities individuals disabilities state


Summary:
Preserving and Reforming SSDI (PAR-SSDI) Act of 2016

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to:

 direct the Social Security Administration (SSA), in determining whether an individual is under a disability, to make such a determination without regard to the individual's ability to communicate in English; prohibit the SSA, in determining whether an individual is under a disability for a month, from considering the individual's vocational background in computing the quarters of coverage requirement unless the individual had not less than 16 quarters of coverage during the 24-quarter period ending with the quarter in which such month occurs; and direct the SSA to prepare and implement a complete update of the vocational and educational factors considered in making disability determinations. The bill declares that for any week in whole or in part within a month that an individual is paid or determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation he or she shall be deemed to have engaged in substantial gainful activity and so be disqualified from receiving Social Security disability benefits after a certain period has elapsed.

The bill also states that, for purposes of determining services rendered by an individual during a period of trial work which will not disqualify the individual for disability benefits, the individual shall be deemed to have rendered services in a month if he or she is entitled to unemployment compensation or trade adjustment assistance for that month.

The bill revises prerequisites for the entitlement of certain individuals under age 65 to SSAct title XVIII (Medicare) part A hospital insurance benefits. The length of time such an individual must be entitled to disability insurance, child's insurance, or widow's insurance benefits, in order to qualify for entitlement to Medicare part A hospital benefits, shall increase from the current 24 months to 60 months.

If the amount of an individual's unearned income for a month is equal to or greater than the monthly income limit for that month, the individual shall be deemed to have engaged in substantial gainful activity for the month for purposes of determining disability insurance benefit payments.

The SSA must receive from an individual and/or the individual's representative, in its entirety and without redaction, all known relevant medical evidence related to a disability claim. Any medical evidence not submitted in its entirety or not furnished by a licensed practitioner shall be excluded in disability determinations.

In determining whether a disability benefits applicant is disabled, the SSA shall not consider medical evidence resulting from a consultative exam with a health care provider unless the application is accompanied by a Medical Consultant Acknowledgment Form signed by the health care provider who conducted the exam.

The bill changes the index used to calculate OASDI cost-of-living adjustments to the Chained Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

In any case in which SSA initiates a review of disability benefits for an individual, the review shall include an independent estimate by a qualified Social Security income verification contractor of the individual's monthly income.

preserving reforming act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act ssact direct social_security_administration ssa determining individual disability determination regard individual ability communicate english prohibit ssa determining individual disability month considering individual vocational background computing quarters coverage requirement individual quarters coverage quarter period ending quarter month occurs direct ssa prepare implement complete update vocational educational factors considered making disability determinations bill declares week month individual paid determined eligible unemployment compensation shall deemed engaged substantial gainful activity disqualified receiving social_security disability benefits certain period elapsed bill states purposes determining services rendered individual period trial work disqualify individual disability benefits individual shall deemed rendered services month entitled unemployment compensation trade adjustment assistance month bill revises prerequisites entitlement certain individuals age ssact title xviii medicare hospital insurance benefits length time individual entitled disability insurance child insurance widow insurance benefits order qualify entitlement medicare hospital benefits shall increase current months months individual unearned income month equal greater monthly income limit month individual shall deemed engaged substantial gainful activity month purposes determining disability insurance benefit payments ssa receive individual individual representative entirety redaction known relevant medical evidence related disability claim medical evidence submitted entirety furnished licensed practitioner shall excluded disability determinations determining disability benefits applicant disabled ssa shall consider medical evidence resulting consultative exam health care provider application accompanied medical consultant acknowledgment form signed health care provider conducted exam bill changes index calculate oasdi cost living adjustments price index urban consumers case ssa initiates review disability benefits individual review shall include independent estimate qualified social_security income verification contractor individual monthly income


Summary:
Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act

This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to authorize a local, state, or federal government body to:

 limit the number of residential recovery facilities within a particular area zoned for residential housing, provided that the limitation is necessary to preserve the residential character of the area, allows for a reasonable number of such facilities to be located within such area, and does not place an overall cap on their number within a municipality or state; and require a facility to obtain an operating license or use permit or satisfy a set of consumer protection standards. A residential recovery facility is a residence that provides housing to individuals in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction with the promise of providing a clean and sober environment in return for direct or indirect payment to an owner, operator, or compensated staff person.

Facilities receiving payments from a federal health care program, or via private insurance purchased on a federal exchange or federally subsidized, for either housing, recovery services, or testing or monitoring for drugs or alcohol, shall ensure that residents be provided a safe living environment completely free from illicit drugs, alcohol, firearms, harassment, abuse, or harm.

safe recovery community empowerment act bill amends fair housing act authorize local state federal government body limit number residential recovery facilities particular area zoned residential housing provided limitation necessary preserve residential character area allows reasonable number facilities located area place overall cap number municipality state require facility obtain operating license use permit satisfy set consumer protection standards residential recovery facility residence provides housing individuals recovery drug alcohol addiction promise providing clean environment return direct indirect payment owner operator compensated staff person facilities receiving payments federal health care program private insurance purchased federal exchange federally subsidized housing recovery services testing monitoring drugs alcohol shall ensure residents provided safe living environment completely free illicit drugs alcohol firearms harassment abuse harm


Summary:
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $500 in a taxable year for the purchase of a hearing aid that is authorized under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for commercial distribution and is intended for use by the taxpayer or a dependent of the taxpayer.

hearing aid assistance tax credit act amends internal revenue code allow tax credit taxable year purchase hearing aid authorized cosmetic act commercial distribution intended use taxpayer dependent taxpayer


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the treatment of revocable trusts for the benefit of an individual for purposes of meeting income requirements for Medicaid coverage.

Extends the supplemental needs trust exemption from treatment of a trust as resources available to the individual to supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries established by those beneficiaries.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated special needs trust fairness act sec bill amends title xix medicaid social security act respect treatment trusts benefit individual purposes meeting income requirements medicaid coverage extends supplemental needs trust exemption treatment trust resources available individual supplemental needs trusts medicaid beneficiaries established beneficiaries


Summary:
IDEA MOE Adjustment Act

Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to alter the formula for reallocating the federal special education funding that is denied to states that reduce their level of special education funding from one fiscal year to the next.

Reallocates:

 85% of those funds on the basis of each nonpenalized state's share of children aged 3 through 21 who are of the same age as children with disabilities for whom the state provides a free appropriate public education, and 15% of those funds on the basis of each nonpenalized state's share of those children who are impoverished. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from considering those penalties or redistributions when calculating the amount of special education funds a state received in a preceding fiscal year for purposes of determining the state's current share of federal special education funds.

Limits the application of the penalty imposed on a state that reduces its special education funding from one fiscal year to the next to a reduction of federal special education funds (equal to the amount of the state shortfall) that is imposed: (1) the following fiscal year, or (2) over a multi-year period that is no more than five consecutive fiscal years. (Currently, that penalty may be imposed on a state for any fiscal year after the fiscal year the state reduces its special education funding.)

idea adjustment act amends individuals disabilities education act alter formula federal special education funding denied states reduce level special education funding fiscal year funds basis state share children aged age children disabilities state provides free appropriate public education funds basis state share children impoverished prohibits secretary education considering penalties calculating special education funds state received preceding fiscal year purposes determining state current share federal special education funds limits application penalty imposed state reduces special education funding fiscal year reduction federal special education funds equal state shortfall imposed following fiscal year multi year period consecutive fiscal years currently penalty imposed state fiscal year fiscal year state reduces special education funding


Summary:
Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2015

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security, for purposes of determining cognitive, behavioral, and physical disability under titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act (SSAct), to amend specified Listings of Impairments by providing medical and evaluation criteria for Huntington's Disease.

Amends SSAct title II to waive the 24-month waiting period for coverage under the program under SSAct title XVIII (Medicare) for individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease.

huntington disease parity act directs commissioner social_security purposes determining cognitive behavioral physical disability titles survivors disability_insurance xvi supplemental security income social security act ssact amend specified listings impairments providing medical evaluation criteria huntington disease amends ssact title waive month waiting period coverage program ssact title xviii medicare individuals diagnosed huntington disease


Summary:
Guiding Responsible and Improved Disability Decisions Act of 2015 or the GRIDD Act of 2015

The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe rules and regulations that update medical-vocational guidelines used in disability determinations.

guiding responsible improved disability decisions act act commissioner social_security shall prescribe rules regulations update medical vocational guidelines disability determinations


Summary:
Promoting Opportunity through Informed Choice Act

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to make on-line tools publicly available through the Social Security Administration website to allow all individuals eligible for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVI of the Social Security Act to assess the impact of earnings on their eligibility for, and amount of, benefits received through federal and state benefit programs.

promoting opportunity informed choice act directs commissioner social_security line tools publicly available social_security_administration website allow individuals eligible disability supplemental security income benefits titles survivors disability_insurance xvi social security act assess impact earnings eligibility benefits received federal state benefit programs


Summary:
Improving the Integrity of Disability Evidence Act

This bill amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the Commissioner of Social Security from considering (except for good cause) any medical evidence with respect to whether an individual is under a disability which is furnished by: (1) any individual convicted of a felony relating to Medicare fraud, (2) any individual or entity excluded from participation in any federal health care program, and (3) any person with respect to whom a civil monetary penalty or assessment has been imposed for the submission of false evidence.

improving evidence act bill amends social security act prohibit commissioner social_security considering good cause medical evidence respect individual disability furnished individual convicted felony relating medicare fraud individual entity excluded participation federal health care program person respect civil monetary penalty assessment imposed submission false evidence


Summary:
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2015

 Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase from $240 to $1,344 (increased for inflation each calendar year after 2016) the first amount of general income per year excluded in determining SSI program eligibility.

Increases from $780 to $4,368 (similarly increased) the first amount of earned income similarly excluded (including for a blind or disabled individual or spouse under age 65).

Sets at: (1) $15,000 in calendar year 2016 (increased for inflation) the resource limit for couples, and (2) $10,000 in calendar year 2016 (similarly increased) the resource limit for individuals without a spouse.

Prescribes an inflation adjustment in benefits in any calendar year after 2016.

Removes support and maintenance furnished in kind from determination of unearned income.

Repeals the administrative penalty which renders individuals (and spouses) ineligible for SSI for a certain period of time if after the look-back date (usually 36 months preceding their application for SSI) they dispose of their resources for less than market value.

supplemental security income restoration act amends title xvi supplemental security income ssi social security act ssa increase increased inflation calendar year general income year excluded determining ssi program eligibility increases similarly increased earned income similarly excluded including blind disabled individual spouse age sets calendar year increased inflation resource limit couples calendar year similarly increased resource limit individuals spouse prescribes inflation adjustment benefits calendar year removes support maintenance furnished kind determination unearned income repeals administrative penalty renders individuals spouses ineligible ssi certain period time look date usually months preceding application ssi dispose resources market value


Summary:
Disability Fraud Reduction and Unethical Deception (FRAUD) Prevention Act

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to authorize the Social Security Administration (SSA) to disqualify or suspend immediately from appearing as a claimant representative before it any individual who has been convicted of a felony in a federal or state court, or, in the case of an attorney, upon the individual's disbarment from any court or bar to which he or she was previously admitted to practice.

Amends SSAct titles II, VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) to subject to criminal penalties for fraud any conspiracy to commit specified offenses, and increase criminal as well as civil monetary penalties for certain individuals in positions of trust who commit fraud.

Amends SSAct title II to direct the SSA to establish rules under which fines and other appropriate sanctions may be imposed on claimant representatives for failure to comply with the SSA rules and regulations.

Amends SSAct title XI to: (1) establish a civil monetary penalty for any claimant representative who knowingly charges for services rendered in excess of the maximum fee prescribed by the SSA or allowed by a court, and (2) direct the SSA periodically to adjust civil monetary penalty maximum amounts for inflation.

Requires federal courts (which currently are merely authorized) to order defendants convicted of Social Security fraud to provide restitution to victims in certain cases.

Amends SSAct title II to ban any payment of benefits to individuals on whom a civil monetary penalty is imposed for fraudulently concealing work activity.

Directs the Inspector General of the SSA to conduct biennial reviews of the practices of a sample of the highest earning claimant representatives to ensure compliance with SSA policies.

disability fraud reduction unethical deception fraud prevention act amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act ssact authorize social_security_administration ssa disqualify suspend immediately appearing claimant representative individual convicted felony federal state court case attorney individual court bar previously admitted practice amends ssact titles viii special benefits certain world war veterans subject criminal penalties fraud conspiracy commit specified offenses increase criminal civil monetary penalties certain individuals positions trust commit fraud amends ssact title direct ssa establish rules fines appropriate sanctions imposed claimant representatives failure comply ssa rules regulations amends ssact title establish civil monetary penalty claimant representative knowingly charges services rendered excess maximum fee prescribed ssa allowed court direct ssa periodically adjust civil monetary penalty maximum amounts inflation requires federal courts currently merely authorized order defendants convicted social_security fraud provide restitution victims certain cases amends ssact title ban payment benefits individuals civil monetary penalty imposed fraudulently concealing work activity directs inspector general ssa conduct biennial reviews practices sample highest earning claimant representatives ensure compliance ssa policies


Summary:
Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act or the TIME Act

This bill prohibits the Secretary of Labor, for a three-year period, from issuing any special wage certificate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to certain entities, allowing them to pay individuals with disabilities subminimum wages, except as a renewal of a special wage certificate previously issued to the entity.

Any such special wage certificate issued or renewed shall be void three years after enactment of this Act.

Authority for such special wage certificates is repealed as of three years after enactment of this Act.

transitioning integrated meaningful employment act time act bill prohibits secretary labor year period issuing special wage certificate fair labor standards act certain entities allowing pay individuals disabilities wages renewal special wage certificate previously issued entity special wage certificate issued renewed shall void years enactment act authority special wage certificates repealed years enactment act


Summary:
Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Benefits Double Dip Elimination Act

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to declare that for any week in whole or in part within a month that an individual is paid or determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation he or she shall be deemed to have engaged in substantial gainful activity and so be disqualified from receiving Social Security disability benefits after a certain period has elapsed.

States that, for purposes of determining services rendered by an individual during a period of trial work which will not disqualify the individual for disability benefits, the individual shall be deemed to have rendered services in a month if he or she is entitled to unemployment compensation or trade adjustment assistance for that month.

social_security_disability_insurance unemployment benefits double elimination act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act declare week month individual paid determined eligible unemployment compensation shall deemed engaged substantial gainful activity disqualified receiving social_security disability benefits certain period elapsed states purposes determining services rendered individual period trial work disqualify individual disability benefits individual shall deemed rendered services month entitled unemployment compensation trade adjustment assistance month


Summary:
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2015

 Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prescribe formulae for payment of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits over a period of 24 consecutive calendar months for individuals determined to be under a disability upon submission of a diagnosis of a terminal illness.

expedited disability insurance payments terminally ill individuals act amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act prescribe formulae payment social_security_disability_insurance benefits period consecutive calendar months individuals determined disability submission diagnosis terminal illness


Summary:
ABLE to Work Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to ABLE accounts (tax-exempt savings accounts for persons with a disability), to allow: (1) an ABLE account beneficiary to make contributions to an ABLE account equal to the lesser of such beneficiary's compensation or an amount equal to the federal poverty line for a one-person household, and (2) a retirement savings tax credit for contributions to an ABLE account.

able work act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect able accounts tax exempt savings accounts persons disability allow able account beneficiary contributions able account equal lesser beneficiary compensation equal federal poverty line person household retirement savings tax credit contributions able account


Summary:
ABLE Financial Planning Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in qualified tuition programs (529 plans) to qualified ABLE programs and from qualified ABLE programs to qualified tuition programs. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)

able financial planning act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow tax free rollovers amounts qualified tuition programs plans qualified able programs qualified able programs qualified tuition programs tax favored able achieving better life experience accounts designed enable individuals disabilities save pay disability related expenses


Summary:
ABLE Age Adjustment Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified ABLE programs, to increase the  threshold for eligibility for such programs from age 26 to age 46. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)

able age adjustment act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect qualified able programs increase threshold eligibility programs age age tax favored able achieving better life experience accounts designed enable individuals disabilities save pay disability related expenses


Summary:
Credit for Caring Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible caregiver a new tax credit for 30% of the cost of long-term care expenses that exceed $2,000, up to $3,000 in a taxable year. The bill defines "eligible caregiver" as an individual who pays or incurs expenses for providing care to a spouse or other dependent relative with long-term care needs and who has earned income for the taxable year in excess of $7,500.

credit caring act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow eligible caregiver new tax credit cost long term care expenses exceed taxable year bill defines eligible caregiver individual pays incurs expenses providing care spouse dependent relative long term care needs earned income taxable year excess


Summary:
ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2016

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and require their payment starting the first month during all of which the individual is under a disability and in which the individual becomes entitled to the benefits.

act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act eliminate month waiting period disability insurance benefits individuals lateral sclerosis require payment starting month individual disability individual entitled benefits


Summary:
Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act of 2016

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to: (1) establish specified new disability classifications, and (2) require periodic continuing disability reviews for beneficiaries classified as "medical improvement possible" or "medical improvement not likely."

The bill revises the standard of review for termination of disability benefits regarding an individual engaged in substantial gainful work as part of a certain process.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) shall promulgate or revise, as appropriate, regulations relating to the determination, classification, and review of the disability status of individuals who apply for or receive disability insurance benefits.

SSAct title II is amended to: (1) prescribe time limits for disability benefits classified "medical improvement expected" or "medical improvement likely," and (2) direct the SSA to establish a process for an individual entitled to a disability insurance benefit to elect to return to employment and receive an adjusted disability insurance benefit amount.

The SSA shall determine the amount of any reduction in expenditures from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the preceding calendar year. 10% of that amount shall be made available for continuing disability reviews.

work act bill amends title old age survivors disability_insurance social security act ssact establish specified new disability classifications require periodic continuing disability reviews beneficiaries classified medical improvement possible medical improvement likely bill revises standard review termination disability benefits individual engaged substantial gainful work certain process social_security_administration ssa shall promulgate revise appropriate regulations relating determination classification review disability status individuals apply receive disability insurance benefits ssact title amended prescribe time limits disability benefits classified medical improvement expected medical improvement likely direct ssa establish process individual entitled disability insurance benefit elect return employment receive adjusted disability insurance benefit ssa shall determine reduction expenditures federal_disability_insurance_trust_fund preceding calendar year shall available continuing disability reviews


Summary: First Amendment Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to repeal: (1) a requirement that persons making disbursements for electioneering communications file reports on such disbursements with the Federal Election Commission; (2) a prohibition against the making of disbursements for electioneering communications by corporations and labor organizations; and (3) a provision treating coordinated communications as contributions.

amendment restoration act amends federal election campaign act repeal requirement persons making disbursements electioneering communications file reports disbursements federal_election_commission prohibition making disbursements electioneering communications corporations labor organizations provision treating coordinated communications contributions


Summary: Political Convention Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions providing for the use of funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund for presidential nominating conventions.

political convention reform act amends internal revenue code repeal provisions providing use funds presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential nominating conventions


Summary: Full Disclosure in Lobbying Act - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require a registered lobbyist's semiannual disclosure report, in the case of a registrant (subcontractor) retained by another person or entity to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of a third person or entity, to include: (1) the name, address, and principal place of business of the other person or entity that retained the subcontractor; (2) the name, address, and principal place of business of the third person or entity on whose behalf the lobbying activities were performed; and (3) the amount of funds paid, during such reporting period, to the subcontractor as well as to the other person or entity who retained the subcontractor for such lobbying activities.

disclosure lobbying act amends lobbying disclosure act require registered lobbyist semiannual disclosure report case registrant subcontractor retained person entity engage lobbying activities behalf person entity include address principal place business person entity retained subcontractor address principal place business person entity behalf lobbying activities performed funds paid reporting period subcontractor person entity retained subcontractor lobbying activities


Summary: Accountability and Transparency in Ethics Act - Establishes an independent Investigations Commission within the legislative branch. Requires annual ethics training for Members and employees of the House of Representatives and for registered lobbyists. Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House to require advance authorization by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of any privately-funded trip by any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Amends such Rule and Rule XXXV (Gifts) of the Standing Rules of the Senate with respect to: (1) the market value of a flight on an airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire; (2) a ban on gifts worth less than $50; and (3) disbursements for a national party convention event in honor of a Member, officer, or employee. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to: (1) transfer certain functions of the Clerk of the House to the Committee with respect to registration of lobbyists; (2) revise certain registration and disclosure requirements; and (3) prescribe civil fines for lobbyists offering certain gifts to Members, officers, or employees. Amends the federal criminal code to revise the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Members, officers, or employees of either chamber of Congress. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit conversion of leadership PAC funds to personal use. Prohibits payment of campaign funds, except nominal reimbursements, to immediate family members of candidates. Prohibits involvement of a registered lobbyist in administration of certain campaign committees unless a candidate for federal office. Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) of the Rules of the House and Rule XXXVII (Conflict of Interest) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require a Member of Congress or Senator to prohibit all of his or her staff from having any official contact with the Member's or Senator's spouse or immediate family member if such individual is a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by one to influence legislation. Expresses the sense of Congress that the use of a family relationship by a lobbyist who is an immediate family member of a Member of Congress to gain special advantages over other lobbyists is inappropriate.

accountability transparency ethics act establishes independent legislative branch requires annual ethics training members employees house_of_representatives registered lobbyists amends rule xxv limitations_on_outside_earned_income acceptance gifts rules house require advance authorization committee_on_standards_of_official_conduct privately funded trip member officer employee house amends rule rule gifts standing rules senate respect market value flight airplane licensed federal_aviation_administration faa operate compensation hire ban gifts worth disbursements national party convention event honor member officer employee amends lobbying disclosure act lda transfer certain functions clerk house committee respect registration lobbyists revise certain registration disclosure requirements prescribe civil fines lobbyists offering certain gifts members officers employees amends federal criminal code revise year ban lobbying contacts members officers employees chamber congress amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit conversion leadership pac funds personal use prohibits payment campaign funds nominal reimbursements immediate family members candidates prohibits involvement registered lobbyist administration certain campaign committees candidate federal office amends rule xxiii code official conduct rules house rule standing rules senate require member congress senator prohibit staff having official contact member senator spouse immediate family member individual registered lobbyist employed retained influence legislation expresses sense congress use family relationship lobbyist immediate family member member congress gain special advantages lobbyists inappropriate


Summary: Federal Election Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which the official has supervisory authority.

amends federal election campaign act unlawful chief state election administration official active political management political campaign respect election federal office official supervisory authority


Summary: Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose: (1) a permanent restriction (currently, one year) on certain officers and employees of the federal government who have terminated their service or employment from advising or representing for compensation foreign governments or political parties in matters in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest; and (2) a five-year restriction on such officers and employees from similarly advising or representing foreign individuals, corporations, or other business entities.

foreign agents compulsory ethics trade act amends federal criminal code impose permanent restriction currently year certain officers employees federal government terminated service employment advising representing compensation foreign governments political parties matters united_states party direct substantial interest year restriction officers employees similarly advising representing foreign individuals corporations business entities


Summary: Sunlight Act of 2007 - Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a Member of the House, officer, or employee, before taking a privately-funded trip, to: (1) provide certain travel-related information to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and agree to provide expenses reimbursed or to be reimbursed after the trip's completion; and (2) receive the Committee's precertification of such proposed trip. Prohibits any such privately-funded trip unless the Committee determines that it complies with all applicable rules of the House. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require annual financial disclosure statements of Members of Congress and congressional officers and employees to include the exact dollar amount. Requires such reports filed with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate (as well as travel-related information) to be made available to the general public on the Internet. Amends Rule II (Other Officers and Officials) to require, during general debate on any measure, the Clerk to project on a wall of the Hall of the House the subject matter of that debate so that it is visible to Members and to visitors in the gallery. Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) to make it out of order to consider: (1) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report unless it is made available to Members and the general public on the Internet for at least 48 hours before its consideration; or (2) any amendment unless it is made available on the Internet within one hour after it is filed (if made in order by a rule) or immediately (if offered under an open rule). Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all mandatory reports to be filed in an electronic form accessible by computers. Revises requirements for mandatory reports on contributions made to any political committee shortly before an election. Extends from 20 days before to 30 days before the election the beginning of the look-back period for such contributions, and from 48 hours before the election to the closing of the polls the end of the look-back period. Applies the requirements to any contribution (currently, only those of $1,000 or more). Requires such reports to be made within 24 hours after receipt or, if earlier, by midnight of the day on which the contribution is deposited (currently, within 48 hours after receipt).

sunlight act amends rule xxv limitations_on_outside_earned_income acceptance gifts rules house_of_representatives require member house officer employee taking privately funded trip provide certain travel related information committee_on_standards_of_official_conduct agree provide expenses reimbursed reimbursed trip completion receive committee proposed trip prohibits privately funded trip committee determines complies applicable rules house amends ethics_in_government_act require annual financial disclosure statements members congress congressional officers employees include exact dollar requires reports filed clerk house secretary senate travel related information available general public internet amends rule officers officials require general debate measure clerk project wall hall house subject matter debate visible members visitors amends rule xxi restrictions order consider bill joint resolution conference report available members general public internet hours consideration amendment available internet hour filed order rule immediately offered open rule amends federal_election_campaign_act require mandatory reports filed electronic form accessible computers revises requirements mandatory reports contributions political committee election extends days days election beginning look period contributions hours election closing polls end look period applies requirements contribution currently requires reports hours receipt earlier midnight day contribution deposited currently hours receipt