United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment civilian public employment and first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days of the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to also transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent, and only to the extent, that willing able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the Standing Committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1977
Authorizes the House Select Committee on Assassinations to make applications to courts and to bring and defend lawsuits arising out of subpoenas, orders immunizing witnesses and compelling them to testify, testimony or production of evidence, and failure to testify or produce evidence.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Reemployment Services Act - Amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish an outreach program for the provision of technical and management assistance through the United States Employment Service to State public employment offices for the following: (1) implementation of annual management plans, (2) implementation of improved employment services, (3) implementation of pilot programs assisted by the Service, and (4) evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and potential improvements in performance associated with changes in priorities, programs and objectives. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Service a national clearinghouse for employment service information. Sets forth requirements for State public employment service annual management plans, including (1) provisions for the identification of employment opportunities, and for job placement and counseling, for specified categories of workers, (2) a program to encourage the active participation of employers in the public employment office system, and (3) conformity with certain budgeting principles. Directs the Secretary, through the Service, to implement a financial assistance program for certain job placement projects under State public employment offices. Directs the Secretary to carry out a comprehensive examination of the merits and the cost-effectiveness of establishing a nationwide job bank system and of the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a system of Federal public employment offices in lieu of the system of State offices established under the Wagner-Peyser Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1977
Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations to enforce the prohibition in that Act against discrimination toward qualified handicapped individuals under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Stipulates that not less than a third of such authorized expenditures be used for educational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Older Americans Long-Term Care Act - Title I: Long-Term Care for the Elderly and the Disabled - Establishes a program of long-term comprehensive services for the elderly financed by the Federal Government and the States. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury a Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for such program. Requires a State to establish a State Long-Term Care Agency in order to receive funds under this Act. Requires such State agency to create within the State a system of Community Long-Term Care Centers. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the relationship between the program established by this Act and certain programs under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Historic Properties Improvement Loan Act - Title I: Assistance for the Preservation of Historic Structures under Certain Housing Laws - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure financial institutions against losses resulting from loans for the purpose of preserving historic structures regardless of whether they are residential. Increases the limit on the size of a loan financing a historic structure preservation which may be insured under this Act. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary to make loans to finance the rehabilitation of historic structures. Redefines the term "historic structure" as any structure registered in the National Register of Historic Places or certified as such by the Secretary of the Interior. Permits increases of up to 30 percent of the amount of a loan allowed under this Act, if such increase in necessary for architectural rehabilitation of historic structures. Title II: Authorization of Matching Assistance for the Preservation of Historic Structures under Certain Housing Laws and the Act of October 15, 1966 - Permits the making of matching grants to States for historic preservation projects regardless of whether such projects receive federally insured or guaranteed loans or direct loans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and to promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the same right to protection against unwarranted disclosure of customer records as if the records were in their possession. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, from obtaining copies of, access to, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless such records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with this Act; (2) such records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. States that no financial institution may provide to a Federal agency or employee, or to any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons, and judicial subpenas. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Title.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Consumer Credit Protection Act Amendments - Title I: Electronic Funds Transfers - Electronic Funds Transfer Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit the execution of purchase or transfer transactions by electronic means other than under an electronic funds transfer agreement entered into between an institution and a consumer. Defines the term "electronic funds transfer agreement" as an agreement between an institution and a consumer under which the institution provides the consumer with the capacity to engage in electronic transfer or purchase transactions. Requires an institution, before entering into an electronic funds transfer agreement, to disclose clearly in writing to a consumer: (1) the conditions under which any charges may be imposed on any consumer account; (2) the terms and conditions of the electronic funds transfer agreement; (3) the circumstances under which the institution may cancel or restrict the electronic funds transfer agreement; (4) the consumer's right to receive a record of transactions; (5) the consumer's right to permanently stop a transfer of funds; (6) the manner in which the consumer should report a theft, loss, or unauthorized use of a funds transfer card; (7) the consumer's right to initiate an error correction and to receive a written response from the institution; and (8) the fact that Federal law makes the institution responsible to the consumer for all losses to any account of the consumer in excess of $50 resulting from an unauthorized transfer of funds. Requires an institution to mail or deliver to each consumer an itemized monthly statement which includes the date, amount, and number of the consumer's account into or out of which funds were transferred and a brief description of each transfer transaction. Prohibits any institution from amending any electronic funds transfer agreement without giving prior notice to the consumer. Allows a consumer to order an institution to permanently stop the transfer of funds for a transaction by notification to the institution. Prohibits an institution from disclosing to a seller any information about any account of a consumer in connection with a purchase transaction other than whether the purchase transaction is authorized. Makes an institution responsible for and liable to the consumer for all losses to the consumer that result from the failure of the institution to carry out a transfer transaction. Allows consumers to initiate an error correction of an account by notifying the involved institution of the alleged error. Requires the institution to correct the error or to explain the absence of error. Establishes restrictions on preauthorized payments from or deposits to an account of a consumer, or on transfers of funds between accounts of a consumer, made by electronic means. Prohibits an institution from providing a consumer with purchase or transfer capacity, except in response to a request or application for an electronic funds transfer agreement that is in writing and signed by the consumer. Requires institutions to inform consumers of their rights. Places liability for all losses to any account of a consumer resulting from an unauthorized transfer of funds on the financial institution unless specified conditions are met. Prohibits any seller from charging a consumer more for any goods, property, or services purchased by the consumer and paid for by check than the seller would charge the consumer if the goods, property, or services were paid for through a purchase transaction. Sets forth the formula for the determination of civil liability. States that any person who willfully and knowingly gives false or inaccurate information, fails to provide information which is required to be disclosed, or otherwise fails to comply with any provision of this title shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than a year, or both. Places the enforcement of this title in the case of national banks, Federal Reserve member banks, insured banks, Federal savings and loan associations, and Federal credit unions with their respective regulatory agencies. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this title in all other cases. Permits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exempt classes of practices involving electronic fund transfer with any State from the requirements of this title if the Board determines that the State's regulations are similar to those of this title. Directs the Board and the Attorney General to make reports to Congress concerning the administration of their functions under this title. Title II: Credit Card Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to expand the required disclosures by creditors before credit is extended under an open end consumer credit plan. Prohibits the issuance of unsolicited credit cards. Requires credit card issuers to be prompt in the billing of charges. Requires credit card issuers to disclose the following information to prospective cardholders: (1) the circumstances under which the plan may be restricted or closed; (2) the circumstances under which any line of credit under the plan may be temporarily or permanently unavailable or reduced and the extent to which the line of credit may be reduced; and (3) the consequences to a cardholder of exceeding a line of credit permitted under the plan. Prohibits any card issuer from amending any credit card plan by modifying or adding services without giving proper notification to the cardholder. Disallows the imposition of service charges by the card issuer in specified instances. States that no finance charge may be imposed on purchases of goods or services which are paid within 25 days after the closing date of the billing cycle in which the purchase was posted to the account. Sets forth the formula for determining the balance upon which a finance charge may be imposed under a credit card plan. Prohibits the billing of a cardholder for any annual or periodic fees where the card issuer has permitted a cardholder to elect to defer payment of all or any portion of the outstanding balance at the end of a billing cycle and to incur a finance charge thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the District of Columbia be treated as a State for purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and Article V of the Constitution of the United States. Repeals the provisions of the twenty-third amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the medical and other health services covered by such Title the transportation of patients confined to a stretcher or wheelchair in a vehicle which is not equipped as an ambulance but which is adequately equipped to transport such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Deaf Services Act - Title I: Installation of Telecommunications Devices in Federal Agencies and in Other Locations - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, after consultation with specified organizations with special knowledge of the problems of deaf persons, to select at least five Federal agencies with which deaf persons have the greatest need for communication and have installed in each such agency and its regional offices a device which permits two-way communication of textual messages in alphanumeric form by telephone lines. Directs the Secretary to select an additional 100 locations for installation of such devices which shall be available to deaf people for their use in communicating with the agencies selected under this Act and with Members of Congress who choose to install such a device under Title III of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe the rates to be charged to the users of such telecommunications devices. Stipulates that such charges may not exceed the cost that would have been incurred had such users been nondeaf persons seeking the same assistance by use of a telephone. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information about the availability of such devices as widely as possible to local organizations of the deaf. Directs that at least one employee be available during normal working hours at each location where such devices are located for use by deaf persons to assist such persons in the use of such devices. Title II: Grants to States - Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to any State or local government for installing telecommunications devices for the deaf in government agencies and other locations in a program to be identical to the Federal program established in Title I of this Act. Sets the level of such grants at 75 percent of the cost of installing and operating such devices. Authorizes annual continuing grants for such purposes to be made after assurances have been received that the requirements of this Act have been and will continue to be met during the ensuing year. Requires the Secretary to seek the cooperation of the Administrator of General Services in having transferred to States any telecommunications devices for the deaf categorized as Federal surplus property. Title III: Installation of Telecommunications Devices in Offices of Members of Congress and in the Capitol - Requires that any Member of Congress making a written request for a telecommunications device for the deaf be provided with one. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to install at the central switchboard in the United States Capitol a telecommunications device for the deaf and requires at least one employee trained in the use of such device to be available during normal working hours to provide assistance to deaf persons. Title IV: Report to Congress - Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within two years after the installation of the first telecommunications device under this Act describing the effectiveness of the programs established by this Act and making recommendations on the continuation and expansion of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Historic Properties Improvement Loan Act - Title I: Assistance for the Preservation of Historic Structures under Certain Housing Laws - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure financial institutions against losses resulting from loans for the purpose of preserving historic structures regardless of whether they are residential. Increases the limit on the size of a loan financing a historic structure preservation which may be insured under this Act. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary to make loans to finance the rehabilitation of historic structures. Redefines the term "historic structure" as any structure registered in the National Register of Historic Places or certified as such by the Secretary of the Interior. Permits increases of up to 30 percent of the amount of a loan allowed under this Act, if such increase in necessary for architectural rehabilitation of historic structures. Title II: Authorization of Matching Assistance for the Preservation of Historic Structures under Certain Housing Laws and the Act of October 15, 1966 - Permits the making of matching grants to States for historic preservation projects regardless of whether such projects receive federally insured or guaranteed loans or direct loans.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
National School-Age Mother and Child Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to designated State agencies to meet part of the cost of planning and coordinating services for school age girls and their children. Sets forth requirements which the State plans must meet before receiving such grants, including: comprehensive health care to school-age girls (associated with the continuation of pregnancy) and to their children, family planning and counseling, infant and child day care and a coordinated program of social services. Prohibits the collection by, or submission to, the Federal or State Government of identifying information of persons receiving services under this program. Establishes a unit within the Maternal and Child Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer and coordinate the program established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Young Families' Housing Act - Graduated Payment Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure, on a regular basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income. Sets a percentage limit on the mortgage value ratio of mortgages which will be insurable under this Act. Prescribes eligibility requirements for such insurance. States that mortgages or loans insured pursuant to this Act shall not be subject to State usury laws in most cases. Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid in cash into an individual housing account. Defines the term "individual housing account" for the purposes of this Act. Limits annual tax deductions to $2,500 and lifetime deductions to $10,000. Makes provisions for tax treatment upon distribution of such accounts. Exempts individual housing accounts from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's Medicaid program and permit the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled: (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Civil Rights Amendments Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based of affectional or sexual preference in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; (4) federally assisted opportunities; (5) equal employment opportunities; (6) housing; and (7) educational programs receiving Federal assistance. Prohibits quotas, or determinations of discrimination based upon statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Comprehensive Veterans' Employment Training and Supportive Services Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide (1) such comprehensive, coordinated, and interrelated programs as are deemed necessary to facilitate training, readjustment, and rehabilitation, and (2) career, veterans benefits and rights, and personal adjustment and motivational counseling to promote the productive employment of Vietnam era veterans, especially disabled veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Federal Mutual Savings Bank Act - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to authorize the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to provide for the organization, conversion, operation, and regulation of associations which may be known as Federal Savings and Loan Associations or Federal Savings Banks. Allows for the chartering of such associations. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to provide that whenever a State-chartered mutual savings bank which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is converted into a Federal Savings Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall calculate the amount in its capital account attributable to such mutual savings bank and shall transfer to each Federal Savings Bank the amount calculated in accordance with this Act. Requires the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation to insure the accounts of all Federal Savings Banks. Allows for the conversion of a State-chartered mutual savings bank into a Federal savings and loan association or a Federal Savings Bank to the extent authorized by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for hearing aids and dentures under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Comprehensive Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Redefines the qualifying service period of an "eligible veteran" to be the period from August 4, 1964 to January 1, 1977; and redesignates as an "eligible peacetime post-Korean veteran" anyone whose qualifying service period fell between January 31, 1955, and August 5, 1964; and entitles both "eligible veterans" and "eligible peacetime post-Korean veterans" to all benefits, services and loans available under the educational assistance program. Extends from 36 to 45 months the period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance (this provision currently exist, 38 U.S.C. 1661 (a)). Sets conditions for extending the ten-year delimiting period for receipt of assistance up to a maximum of two additional years. Provides that counseling offered by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to veterans eligible for educational assistance may include assisting any veteran: (1) to select the occupation or training objective suitable to personal circumstances, characteristics, financial resources, dependent responsibilities and other relevant factors; (2) to select the occupation or training objective which will provide reasonable opportunities for employment and with job satisfaction after development of the required job skills; (3) to select the educational institution that will effectively assist in attaining educational or vocational objectives; and (4) to develop a program of education that will lead to a recognized and predetermined educational, vocational, technical, or professional objective within the veteran's period of entitlement. Directs the Administrator to take such measures as may be necessary, including denial of applications or disapproval of courses, to insure that no aspect of the educational assistance program is used for the purpose of income supplementation, unemployment compensation, or adjusted compensation. Allows continued payments to veterans enrolled in institutions not complying with provisions of the Act if such veterans are not at fault for the noncompliance. Provides an accelerated educational assistance allowance, not to exceed twice the ordinary monthly amount, to be granted, after appropriate counseling, to an eligible veteran or person who demonstrates need for the acceleration. Stipulates the categories of persons most likely to need a program of acceleration. Limits any program of accelerated assistance allowances to five years. Title II: War Orphans' and Widows' Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Allows the ten-year period of eligibility for educational assistance for the spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability to run from the wedding date of the spouse and such veteran. Entitles eligible war orphans and widows to accelerated educational assistance allowances. Title III: Administration of Educational Benefits - Extends the coverage of existing administrative provisions of the educational assistance program to all branches and extensions of an educational institution. Directs the Administrator to establish between the Administration, the State approving agencies and nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations, an exchange of information pertaining to activities of educational institutions, especially to the enforcement of approval standard and enrollment restrictions and fraudulent and other criminal activities on the part of persons connected with the institution; and directs the Administrator to furnish the U.S. Attorney General, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other Federal, State and local agencies such information and assistance as may be necessary to preclude abuses or enhance the effectiveness of the programs established hereunder. Requires educational institutions to transmit to State approving agencies catalogs or bulletins certified as true, current and correct both in content and policy by an authorized school official. Requires the State approving agencies to find as a condition of approval, adequate standards of progress established and clearly defined, and to find that an institution and its programs of education are in every aspect, portion, element, and division in full compliance with the law. Revises the criteria for approval of nonaccredited courses. Requires all advertising, promotion, sales techniques, claims and personnel employed by or representing the institution and branches or extensions offering nonaccredited courses to be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal licensing regulations and laws. Permits the Administrator to disapprove any institution of program of education approved as accredited if it fails to comply with any of specified provisions of law. Makes any advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance conditional, and denies such advance payments to those entitled to receive accelerated payments. Requires the application for conditional advance payments to indicate that the eligible veteran or person had requested such, that it is necessary and appropriated to meet specific expenses, and that such expenses shall reasonably equal or exceed the amount of conditional advance payment. Requires the Administrator to set up an appeals procedure for administrative proceedings involving property loss resulting from a decision to terminate or modify an eligible veteran's or person's educational benefits. Increases from $3 and $4 to $8 and $10 respectively the fees paid to educational institutions in reimbursement for reports and certifications. Directs the Administrator to refer to the U.S. Attorney General any deliberate, premeditated, or willful misconduct or illegal action of a significant nature or involving a significant sum of money stemming from overpayments occasioned by a false or misleading report by an educational institution. Sets new conditions for the enrollment of an eligible veteran or person in a program of correspondence or residence-correspondence. Denies approval of enrollment in an institution in any way affiliated with a proprietary institution or profitmaking operation which affects any program of education provided eligible veterans and persons unless such program meets all the requirements of the law. Requires the Administrator to notify any eligible veteran or eligible person of any available vocational assistance alternatives and of any legal recourse when it disapproves an institution or discontinues anyone's educational assistance. Requires the Administrator, upon determination that the interruption of failure of a person's program was due in whole or in part to problems of personal adjustment, to advise such person of available counseling services and vocational, educational and psychological assistance. Establishes with the Veterans Administration an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force to advise and assist the Administrator, among other things, in: (1) the review of the effectiveness and coordination of all rights and services authorized for veterans; (2) the development and implementation of studies of the effectiveness of laws applicable to veterans and eligible persons; (3) the monitoring and evaluation and preclusion of abuses of veterans' adjustment assistance programs; (4) the investigation of allegations indicating that veterans are being denied rights, benefit,or assistance; and (5) the appraisal of Federal laws, appropriations, and policies meeting the readjustment needs of veterans. Directs the Task Force to serve as a national clearinghouse for information and assistance relating to the needs of veterans, and to serve as an advocate for the correction of problems and the preclusion of abuses. Establishes within the Task Force a section on enforcement and implementation of laws, a section on the evaluation and accreditation of military experience, and an Advisory Committee to take over the duties and responsibilities of the current advisory committee, with special emphasis on the inclusion and participation of veterans receiving or requiring readjustment assistance. Empowers the Task Force and its sections to issue subpenas. Requires the Task Force to report to Congress within one year of enactment its findings and recommendations for post-Vietnam era readjustment assistance programs. Sets maximum aggregate education loan amounts for eligible persons with no, one, two, or more dependents. Title IV: Miscellaneous Veterans Program Amendments - Requires the Veterans' Administration to adjust its adjudication criteria and under no circumstances to determine eligibility for veterans' benefits for ex-servicemen with other than honorable discharges with either less lenient or more restrictive criteria and procedures that those used by the various military departments in the review and upgrading of other than honorable discharges. Title V: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam-era Veterans - Creates within the Department of Labor a separate agency to be known as the Veterans' Employment Service which shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment. Title VI: Veterans' Administration: Miscellaneous Amendments - Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform veterans of the programs and services made available by this Act. Directs the veterans' representatives to carry out such outreach and information assistance services. Requires both the Administrator and the veterans' representatives especially to assist veterans whose educational benefits have ended because of the expiration of their delimiting period to obtain alternative means of completing their education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay a special housing allowance to each eligible individual whose housing expenses exceed 25 percent of income or $1,200 a year, whichever is less.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a $5,000 tax exclusion for persons aged 65 or over for amounts received as an annuity, pension, or other retirement benefit, and for all persons receiving retirement benefits under a public retirement system.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Handgun Control Act - Makes it unlawful for any person to import, manufacture, sell, buy, transfer, receive, transport, own, or possess any handgun or handgun ammunition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to exempt from this prohibition handguns: (1) required for the operation of licensed pistol clubs; (2) utilized by Federal, State, and local agencies or by licensed security guard services; or (3) manufactured prior to 1890 which are unserviceable and outdated for use as collector's items. Requires a pistol club desiring to be licensed to file an application with the Secretary. Conditions approval of such an application on the club's meeting specified requirements. Provides for administrative and judicial review of a license denial or revocation. Imposes criminal penalties on persons violating the provisions of this Act, including those persons making misrepresentations in required records or in license applications. Subjects to seizure and forfeiture any handgun used, or intended to be used, in any act which violates this Act or other Federal criminal law. Establishes procedures for the reimbursement of persons voluntarily delivering handguns to a law enforcement agency. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1091-1101)
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates from Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to hire for two week of each year two senior citizen interns to serve within the District of Columbia. Makes available to each Member for the purpose of hiring such interns an annual gross allowance of $600.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Human Resources Development Act - Directs the President or his delegate to carry out, through grants to, or contracts with private and public nonprofit institutions, a program consisting of projects which either (1) involve labor-management cooperation for the improvement of productivity and quality of work life, innovation in a major feature of employment, increased worker participation in decisionmaking, or profit sharing or (2) are designed to establish the efficacy of policies and practices maintaining normal employment levels during periods of cyclical downturns in demand through reassignment of workers to training and other specified types of programs. Directs the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life to assist in carrying out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate age limitations with respect to the requirement that all personnel actions affecting employees or applicants for employment in Federal agencies, the United States Postal Service, or the District of Columbia government be taken without regard to such employees' or applicants' age.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Small Business Impact Statement Act - Directs the head of each Federal agency to prepare a small business impact statement in connection with each rule made by such agency unless the agency head, with the approval of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration determines that such rule will not have a substantial effect on a significant number of small business. Sets forth information which must be present in each small business impact statement. Prescribes steps which each agency head must follow in preparing any small business impact statement including publication of the statement in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Amends the Mann Acts, which prohibit certain transportation of females for immoral purposes, to extend coverage to prohibit transportation of any individual for immoral purposes and to increase the penalties specified in such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1977
Amends the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973 to require that receipts and disbursements of the Federal Financing Bank be included in the Federal budget. Directs such Bank to make commitments to purchase and to purchase specified obligations which are guaranteed by Federal agencies. Subjects any guarantee by a Federal agency of an obligation, except where the obligation is of a type which is not ordinarily bought and sold in the same markets as investment securities or which is issued or sold by the Bank, to the condition that if such obligation is held by any person or governmental entity, other than such agency or the Bank, such guarantee shall cease to be effective.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1977
National Weatherization Act - Title I: Utility Program - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to promote the voluntary submission by a State to the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration of a residential energy conservation plan for utilities in such State. Requires such plan to direct utilities to implement a program informing residential customers of suggested measures for saving home heating and cooling costs. Permits the Administrator to require a regulated or unregulated utility in a State to offer such program upon the Administrator's determination that such State has not offered such plan for approval or implemented such plan. Title II: Weatherization Grants for the Benefit of Low-Income Families - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to permit a raise in the eligible income level for weatherization grants to low-income families. Expands the definition of the term "weatherization materials" in such Act to include additional devices and technologies. Limits the amount of financial assistance available under such Act that may be spent on weatherization materials and specified accompanying costs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a weatherization program financing the installation of weatherization materials in farm residences occupied by low-income people. Title III: Secondary Financing and Loan Insurance for Energy Conserving Improvements - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to direct the Federal National Mortgage Association to purchase loans insured under the National Housing Act and made to low- and moderate-income families for the installation of energy conserving improvements in residences owned by such families. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a loan for the installation of energy conserving improvements. Specifies the eligibility conditions of such loan. Allows the Government National Mortgage Association to have standby authority to purchase loans for energy-conserving improvements. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into annual contributions contracts for low-income projects to finance the installation of energy- conserving improvements. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promote the use of energy saving techniques through minimum property standards established for new rural residential housing assisted under the Housing Act of 1949. Amends the National Housing Act to permit specified increased amounts of assistance if such increase results from increased cost of a residence or project due to the installation of a solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a study for determining the necessity of a mandatory Federal requirement that all residential dwelling units meet energy efficient standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Mini-Business Opportunity Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration to give special preference, to the maximum extent practicable, to small business concerns with 100 or fewer full-time employees with respect to specified subcontracts and government sales and contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Amends the Small Business Investment Act to change the title of the Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment of the Small Business Administration to that of Associate Administrator for Investment. Sets forth the powers of such office including the purchase of preferred securities of any incorporated small business investment company and the purchase or guarantee of all principal and interest payments as scheduled on debentures issued by any small business investment company. Specifies conditions which must be fulfilled before such powers may be exercised.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Regional Capital Development Banks Act - Establishes ten Regional Capital Development Banks, each to be located and to serve exclusively one of the ten standard Federal administrative regions of the United States. States the general powers of each bank. Provides for the appointment of 15 members for the board of directors for each bank. Authorizes appropriations for the initial formation of the banks in addition to providing for the capitalization of the banks through stock purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury. Creates in each bank special authorities including: (1) the making of direct loans to eligible applicants; (2) the purchase of capital stock of eligible applicants; and (3) the facilitation of exchange of concepts and techniques relating to capital financing of business financing and other economic development. Defines eligible applicants to be a corporation with assets or gross sales not in excess of $10,000,000 or those that control not greater than 25 percent of the market in the line of commerce in which a loan or investment is to be made. Limits any loan or investment to $5,000,000. Requires each bank to develop criteria which will assure that the enterprises invested in shall substantially contribute to the reduction of unemployment and improvement of the quality of life of the region, and that they will comply with Federal policies including environment, nondiscrimination, and regional economic and social objectives. Prohibits discriminatory treatment in hiring on the part of any applicant who receives assistance under this Act. Requires audits of financial transactions of the banks and an annual report of such audit to be made to the President and Congress. Grants Federal tax exemption to specified assets of the banks.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1977
Federal Correctional Ombudsman Act - Establishes an office of the United States Correctional Ombudsman. Authorizes the Chief Ombudsman to investigate in such manner as he sees fit, either upon complaint or upon his own initiative, any administrative act of the Bureau of Prisons or the Board of Parole, pertaining to: (1) the treatment of any Federal prisoner or parolee; or (2) the conditions in any Federal penal or correctional institution or any institution which has contracted for the care or employment of any Federal prisoner. Sets forth procedures relative to such investigations. Directs the Chief Ombudsman to consult with the appropriate official or employee upon finding that any administrative act is (1) contrary to law; (2) unreasonable, unfair, oppressive, or unnecessarily discriminatory; (3) based on mistaken ascertainment of fact; (4) based on improper or irrelevant grounds; (5) performed in an inefficient manner; (6) unclear or inadequately explained when reasons should have been revealed; or (7) otherwise objectionable. States that if the Chief Ombudsman believes that an administrative act has been dictated by laws whose results are unfair or otherwise objectionable, he shall notify the appropriate committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Provides that no information disclosed to any ombudsman or to any staff or employee of the Office in connection with an investigation under this Act shall be disclosed to any other person except to the extent the Chief Ombudsman determines necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Requires the Chief Ombudsman to report annually to the Congress on the operations of the Office.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such Titles.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Increases the period of veterans' education assistance from 45 to 54 months, and eliminates the delimiting period. Grants eligibility for such assistance to any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era whose previous entitlement terminated without such veteran's availing himself of all the assistance to which he was entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Comprehensive Social Security Reform Act - Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to remove the ceiling on the amount of earnings which may be counted for social security benefit and tax purposes. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that taxes payable for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance shall not be imposed with respect to wages received by or paid to an individual during any calendar year to the extend that such wages do not exceed $4,000. Increases the primary insurance amount under Title II. Decreases to 55 the age at which an individual may become entitled to full benefits under Title II, if such individual is a member of an identifiable group within the general population whose members have actuarially determined life expectancies which are significantly lower than the average actuarially determined life expectancy of all residents of the United States. Repeals the earnings test under Title II. Requires that Federal employees be covered by Title II. Decreases from 20 to 5 the number of years a divorced woman must have been married to an insured individual in order for her to qualify for wife's or widow's benefits on his wage record. Authorizes appropriations to specified trust funds from which amounts are paid under Title II and Title XVIII (Medicare) under this Act in order to place such funds in the same position at the end of a fiscal year as the position in which it would have been if this Act had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Opportunities for Adoption Act - Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a Committee on Uniform Adoption Regulations. Directs such Committee to review current conditions, practices, and laws relating to adoption and to propose to the Secretary uniform adoption regulations. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for allocation to State agencies and to public and private nonprofit adoption agencies to assist such agencies in meeting the costs involved in the adoptive placement of children. Establishes a National Office of Adoption Information and Services. Requires the establishment of a national adoption data, tracking, and analysis system utilizing computers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
National Community-Based Organizations Youth Job Creation and Training Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts with national community-based organizations for the provision of: (1) comprehensive employment services and jobs for unemployed persons, particularly youths; (2) career education and counseling services for secondary school students; (3) career education for unemployed persons; or (4) work-study projects in community improvement for unemployed youths. Directs the head of each agency exercising authority under specified programs to assure that special consideration will be given to national community-based organizations in providing employment services and job opportunities pursuant to such programs. Amends the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 to direct the Secretary to provide work experience during all months of the year to youth in urban and rural areas. Amends the work incentive program provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit with respect to wages paid certain previously unemployed employees during the first 12 months of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for services performed by professional clinical social workers. Includes outpatient services, community mental health centers, and neighborhood health centers among "qualified providers" under Titles XVIII and XIX. Removes specified limitations which are imposed on coverage of psychiatric and mental health services under such titles.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Supplemental Security Income Reform Amendments - Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income Program) of the Social Security Act to set benefits under such title at the poverty level. Allows each spouse in an eligible couple to receive such benefits in his or her own right. Reduces from 65 to 60 the age of eligibility for such benefits. Provides for the issuance of duplicate benefit checks where the initial checks are lost or delayed. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an outreach program to assure that all individuals eligible for supplemental security income benefits under such title will be fully informed of the availability and nature of benefits and of the steps to be taken in obtaining them. Requires that any application for benefits under this title shall be acted upon by the Secretary within 30 days after it is filed.
![Official portrait of Del. Fauntroy, Walter E. [D-DC-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000046_200.jpg)