Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984
Public Law 98-527 · H.R. 5603 · 98th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Oct 19, 1984 · Health
Sponsor: Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA-24)
Cosponsors (3): Rep. Barbara Mikulski, Rep. Gerald Sikorski,
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.
Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984 - Amends the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963 to cite title I of such Act as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
States that a purpose of such title is to help assure that persons with developmental disabilities achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.
States that with regard to State grants and university-affiliated facilities grants under this Act, the Federal project share may not exceed 75 percent generally, and 90 percent in poverty areas.
Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) recordkeeping and audits; (2) U.S. recovery rights for facility sale or nonuse; (3) State operations control; and (4) reporting requirements of the States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to establish an interagency committee to coordinate and plan Federal activities for persons with developmental disabilities.
Provides for grant recipient employment of handicapped persons.
Sets forth congressional findings respecting the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.
Provides with regard to State planning and service plans that: (1) not more than 25 percent of State grant funds be allocated to the designated State agency for the provision of services by such agency; (2) employment-related activities must be provided as a priority service after FY 1986 only if appropriations equal or exceed specified levels; (3) States may choose three priority services as of FY 1987; and (4) habilitation goals include the increase or support of independence, productivity and integration into the community for the developmentally disabled person.
Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations. Permits State allotment adjustments to be made no more often than annually.
Prohibits any State from receiving such grants unless it has in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities. Sets forth such a system's requirements. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities to aid in the provision of interdisciplinary training, the conduct of service demonstration programs, and the dissemination of information which will increase and support the independence, productivity, and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) a recipient facility for satellite feasibility studies, applied research, or service-related-training; and (2) assist in establishing satellite centers, including administrative and operating costs. Sets forth eligibility requirements.
Requires the Secretary to establish implementing regulations within six months.
Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations.
Authorizes the Secretary to make special project grants especially for disadvantaged or multi-handicapped persons, Native Americans, and Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress within six months a study on intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1987 appropriations for such purposes.
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. 20 actions.
- Oct 19, 1984Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-527.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 11, 1984PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 4, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
- Oct 3, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.
- Sep 25, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference Report 98-1074 Filed in House.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference Report 98-1074 Filed in House.
- Jun 29, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Request for Conference and Speaker Appointed Conferees: Dingell, Waxman, Scheuer, Broyhill, Madigan.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Disagreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.
- Jun 28, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate insists on its amendments, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Hatch; Weicker; Stafford; Kennedy; Randolph.
- FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Jun 13, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Jun 11, 1984FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 360 - 33 (Record Vote No: 224).House roll call 224
- Jun 6, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee
- May 15, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Energy and Commerce Committee
- May 3, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce 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.