Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1991
Public Law 102-52 · H.R. 2127 · 102nd Congress · began in the House
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Jun 6, 1991 · Social Welfare
Sponsor: Rep. Major Owens (D-NY-12)
Cosponsors (7): Rep. Donald Payne, Rep. José Serrano,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act) to reauthorize programs under the Act by extending the authorization of appropriations for one year, through FY 1992.
Includes among the reauthorized programs: (1) vocational rehabilitation services (State allotments for basic vocational rehabilitation services, State allotments for innovation and expansion, and the client assistance program); (2) research and training; (3) supplementary services and facilities (construction of rehabilitation facilities, training centers, comprehensive rehabilitation centers, and special projects and supplementary services, including special demonstration and recreational programs); (4) the National Council on Disability; (5) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; (6) employment opportunities for individuals with handicaps (community service employment pilot programs, projects with industry and business opportunities, and supported employment services); and (7) comprehensive services for independent living (including independent living services for older blind individuals).
Amends the Helen Keller National Center Act to extend through FY 1992 the authorization of appropriations for programs of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults and its affiliated network.
Amends Federal law to extend through FY 1992 the authorization of appropriations for the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize differential funding for the fourth or fifth year of grant allotments to States under the early intervention program for handicapped infants and toddlers (from birth to age two), thus allowing certain States to continue their participation in such program under specified conditions.
Allows States that have not met all or some of fourth or fifth year requirements to request extended participation for such years and, if the request is approved by the Secretary of Education, receive an allotments, years in an amount set at a specified earlier, lesser rate. Provides for reallotment of the resultant excess funds to States that have met all the requirements for such years and that will consequently be receiving their full grant allotments, as well as additional funds from their portion of such reallotment.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 10 actions.
- Jun 6, 1991Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-52.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- May 31, 1991PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- May 21, 1991FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- May 20, 1991FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Owens (NY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- May 16, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Education and Workforce Committee
- Apr 29, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Education and Workforce Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.