United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1973
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide for the construction of a Veterans' Administration hospital in the southern area of New Jersey. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1973
Directs the President to establish a Rent Control Board which shall control the level of rents in the United States through the establishment of a cost justification formula for landlords. Provides that whenever the Board determined, through the application of such formula to a landlord, that any rent increase after January 11, 1973, results in his having an unreasonably high rate of return on his capital, the Board shall order such landlord to reduce his rents to an appropriate level. Empowers the Board to promulgate such regulations as it considers necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this Act, including regulations to prohibit retaliatory action by any landlord against any tenant.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Requires the advice and consent of the Senate for appointments to Director of the Office of Management and Budget under the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921. (Amends 31 U.S.C. 16)
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Provides that an individual may qualify for disability insurance benefits and the disability freeze under title II of the Social Security Act if he has enough quarters of coverage to be fully insured for old-age benefit purposes under such Act, regardless of when such quarters were earned.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1973
Emergency Employment Act - Authorizes appropriations of $1,300,000,000 for fiscal 1974 and $1,500,000,000 for fiscal 1975 to fund the Emergency Employment Act. Authorizes $7,000,000,000 for fiscal 1974 and $1,000,000 for fiscal 1975 to fund the Special Employment Assistance Program. Provides that an application for financial assistance for a public service employment program under this Act shall include specified provisions. Extends to labor organizations the opprotunity to submit comments with respect to an application for assistance under this Act. Redefines "unemployed" so as not to require a person, laid off from public service employment, to have been without a job for more than seven working days in order to be considered umemployed. (Amends 64 U.S.C. 4874-4877, 4883)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Comprehensive Child Development Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide a variety of quality child development and family services in order to assist parents who request such services in providing their children with an opportunity for a healthful and stimulating development, with priority to those preschool children and families with the greatest economic or social needs, in a manner designed to strengthen family life and to insure decisionmaking at the community level through a partnership of parents, State and local governments and the Federal Government, building upon the experience and success of Headstart and other existing programs. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 for the purpose of providing training, technical assistance, planning, and such other activities as the Secretary deems necessary. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Headstart, Child Development and Family Services Programs - Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall provide financial assistance to prime sponsors and to other public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations for the purpose of carrying out child development and family service programs for children and their families, including comprehensive child development services and programs designed to meet individual needs of children, to assist children in attaining their full potential and to prepare them for school. Provides that the Secretary may designate as a prime sponsor for the purpose of entering into arrangements directly with the Secretary to carry out programs under this title within a State the following: (1) any State; (2) a unit of general local government or any combination of such units; (3) any Indian tribal organization; and (4) certain other public or private nonprofit agencies. Sets forth the requirements of a prime sponsorship plan for assistance under this Act, including provision for establishing and maintaining a child and family services council, and assurances that the Council will provide: (1) child-related family, social, and rehabilitative services; (2) coordination with educational agencies and providers of educational services; (3) health and mental health services; (4) nutrition services; (5) training of professional and paraprofessional personnel; and (6) where necessary, full-time administrative personnel to conduct the program. Provides for review in the courts of appeal of the United States of adverse determinations on applications for sponsorship under this title by the Secretary. Provides that each prime sponsor shall establish and maintain a Child and Family Services Council. Provides that at least one-third of the total membership of the Council shall be persons who are economically disadvantaged. Provides that financial assistance under this Act shall be provided to prime sponsors pursuant to a program statement, submitted by the prime sponsor. Sets forth standards for financial assistance under this title to be provided to a project applicant for any fiscal year. Authorizes additional assistance under this title to a State for services under this title upon a determination by the Secretary that there is an adequate agreement between State and local prime sponsors for maximum coordination of child development and family services within the State. Authorizes assistance to educational agencies and institutions in cooperation with other project applicants pursuant to program statements for the purpose of planning, carrying out, and evaluating cooperative programs and activities designed to provide continuity between preschool programs, after-school programs and educational and related programs conducted by such agencies and institutions, and to maximize community involvement in child development and family services programs. Provides a formula for the allocation of funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act. Provides that applications for financial assistance for projects including construction or acquisition may be approved only if the Secretary determines that construction or acquisition of such facilities is essential to the provision of adequate child care services, and that rental, lease, or lease-purchase, remodeling, or renovation of adequate facilities is not practicable. Provides that the Secretary shall pay an amount not in excess of 90 percent of the cost of carrying out programs, services, and activities under this title. Provides that the Secretary shall pay an amount equal to 100 percent of the costs of providing child development and family services programs for children of migrant agricultural workers and their families under this title, and for children in Indian tribal organizations under this title. Title II: Training, Technical Assistance, Planning, and Evaluation - Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to enable individuals employed or preparing for employment in child development and family services programs assisted under this Act, including volunteers, to participate in programs of preservice or inservice training for professional and nonprofessional personnel, to be conducted by public or private nonprofit organizations including institutions of higher education, State and local child development and family service agencies, State and local educational agencies, agencies carrying out child development and family service programs, organizations engaged in teacher training, teacher training institutions, national child development and family service organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to make technical assistance available to prime sponsors and to project applicants participating or seeking to participate in programs assisted under this Act on a continuing basis, to assist them in planning, developing, and carrying out child development and family services programs. Title III: Supportive Services and Special Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to make an evaluation of Federal involvement in activities and services for children and families. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program of research and demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the purpose of establishing and operating child care programs for the children of employees of the Federal Government. Provides that, within six months after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate a common set of program standards which shall be applicable to all programs providing child development and family services under this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Special Committee on Federal Standards for Child Development and Family Services to advise him on the formulation of such standards. Directs the Secretary to appoint a special committee to develop a uniform minimum code for facilities, to be used in licensing child development and family services facilities receiving assistance under this Act or in which programs receiving assistance under this Act are operated. Authorizes the Secretary to provide mortgage insurance for child development facilities under this Act on mortgages not exceeding $250,000. Directs the Secretary to establish an office of Child Development in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to coordinate child development and family service programs under his jurisdiction. Establishes a Child Development Research Council consisting of representatives of various agencies to assure coordination of child development and related family service activities under their respective jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold payments under this Act for failure to comply with certain requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1973
Correctional Manpower and Employment Act - Title I: Grants to Correctional Agencies for the Training and Employment of Offenders and the Improvement or Correctional Personnel - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to any correctional agency to establish programs to improve the manpower training and employment opportunities of offenders and to improve the effectiveness of correctional personnel. Provides that such programs shall include: (1) diversified manpower training and employment programs for offenders in any form of correctional institution and prerelease and other work programs outside the institution; (2) programs to train offenders in finding employment; (3) programs for the provision of halfway houses for work releases; (4) programs for recruitment and training for correctional personnel; and (5) programs to improve the effectiveness and morale of correctional personnel. Title II: Grants to Public or Private Agencies for the Training and Employment of Offenders and Ex-Offenders - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any public or nonprofit private department, agency, or organization to establish manpower training and employment programs for offenders and ex-offenders, and programs to improve the effectiveness of correctional personnel. Provides that such programs shall include: (1) training programs to provide training for offenders in areas in which they could find employment upon release; (2) work release programs; (3) recruiting and training programs for professional and paraprofessional personnel; (4) programs to train ex-offenders in finding employment; and (5) programs of independent evaluation of the various programs under this title. Title III: Federal Programs for the Training and Employment of Offenders and Ex-Offenders and the Improvement of Correctional Personnel - Authorizes the Secretary to conduct model or demonstration programs which make a special contribution to the development of methods, techniques, or programs designed to facilitate the training and employment of offenders and their reintegration into the community and to improve the effectiveness of correctional personnel. Provides that such programs shall include: (1) probation services or demonstration projects; (2) State employment service demonstration projects; (3) ex-offender placement assistance demonstration projects; (4) employment of offenders in Federal assistance programs; and (5) programs to determine the efficacy of closing down reform schools, and to determine the value of using professional mediators to resolve inmate-correctional officials conflicts. Title IV: Administration - Provides that any correctional agency or any other public or private agency desiring to receive financial assistance under titles I or II of this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary. Provides a formula for the allocation of funds under this Act. Provides that priority in funding for programs under this Act shall be given to those programs which are most likely to be effective in meeting their specified goals. Requires coordination and cooperation with other Federal agencies to avoid program duplication and to assure the combining of resources and maximum coordination and joint planning between programs conducted or assisted under this Act and other programs administered by such agencies. Title V: Additional Incentive for Employers of Offenders and Ex-Offenders - Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, a tax credit with respect to the wages paid employees certified by the Secretary of Labor as being or having been a prisoner and as having successfully completed training under this Act. Title VI: National Corrections Manpower Center - Establishes a National Corrections Manpower Center under the general supervision of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in order to improve the effectiveness of corrections personnel in correctional institutions. Title VII: Studies and Reports - Provides that the Secretary shall conduct a continuing evaluation designed to measure the effect of programs under this Act, and shall submit to the President and Congress annually a detailed report setting forth the results of the evaluation. Provides that the Secretary shall conduct a nationwide study and publish the results thereof on State laws which result in statutory impediments to employment, offenders' ability to find jobs upon release, and the resultant effect on recidivism rates. Provides that the Chairman of the United States Civil Service Commission shall report to the President and Congress no later than one year from the date of the enactment of this Act on the extent to which and the manner in which employment opportunities for offenders may be increased in the Federal Service. Title VIII: Appropriations - Authorizes to be appropriated for carrying out the purposes of this Act $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the next three fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1973
Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act - Declares it to be the policy of this Act to protect interstate commerce, and the equitable interests of participants in private pension plans and their beneficiaries, by improving the scope, administration, and operation of such plans; to prevent the loss of employees' earned credits resulting from change of or separation from employment; and to protect vested benefits of employees against loss due to plan termination. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Portability Program for Vested Pensions - Establishes a portability program for vested pensions to effect the transfer of vested credits between all employee plans. Requires employee plans to apply for membership in the portatiliby program. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of membership to approved plans. Creates a Protability Program Fund. Requires a member plan to pay, upon request of the participant, to the fund a sum of money equal to the current discounted value of the participant's vested rights under the plan, when such participant is separated from employment covered by the plan before the time prescribed for payments to be made to him or to his beneficiaries under the plan. Directs the Secretary of Labor to administer the fund and to report to the Congress not later than the first day of April of each year on the operation and the status of the fund during the preceding fiscal year and on its expected operation and status during the current fiscal year and the next two fiscal years. Requires the Secretary to review the general policies followed in managing the fund and to recommend changes in such policies, including the necessary changes in the provisions of law which govern the way in which the fund is to be managed. Directs the Secretary to establish an account in the fund for each participant. Provides that the Secretary shall give technical assistance to employers, employee organizations, trustees, and administrators of pension and profit-sharing-retirement plans in their efforts to provide greater retirement protection for individuals who are separated from employment covered under such plans. Title II: Plan Termination Insurance - Establishes the Private Pension Plan Termination Insurance Program to insure participants and beneficiaries of those plans registered under this Act against loss of benefits derived from vested rights which arise from the termination of such plans. Enumerates conditions to insure the right to participants and beneficiaries of a registered pension plan. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe a uniform assessment to cover the administrative costs of the insurance program and to establish an annual premium for insurance at uniform rates based upon the amount of unfunded vested liabilities subject to insurance. Provides that no plan insured under this title shall terminate without the approval of the Secretary. Provides that where the employer or employers contributing to the terminating plan or who terminated the plan are not insolvent, such employer or employers shall be liable to reimburse the insurance program for any insurance benefits paid by the program to the beneficiaries of such terminated plan. Creates within the Treasury a separate fund for pension benefit insurance to be known as the Pension Benefit Insurance Fund which shall be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation for the purposes of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1973
Employee Benefit Security Act - Declares it to be the policy of this Act to protect interstate commerce and the interests of participants in employee benefit plans and their beneficiaries, by requiring the disclosure and reporting to participants and beneficiaries of financial and other information with respect thereto, by establishing standards of fiduciary conduct, responsibility, and obligation upon all persons who exercise any powers of control, management, or disposition with respect to employee benefit funds or have authority or responsibility to do so, or have authority or responsibility in the administration of employee benefit plans, and by providing for appropriate remedies, sanctions, and ready access to the Federal courts. Title I: Fiduciary Responsibility and Disclosure - Provides that this title shall apply to any employee benefit plan if it is established or maintained by any employer engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce, or by any industry or activity affecting commerce. participate, or both. Provides that the administrator of an employee benefit plan shall cause to be published in accordance with this Act to each participant or beneficiary covered thereunder a description of the plan and an annual financial report. States that such description shall be published within ninety days after such plan is established and shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average plan participant. Provides that an annual report shall be published with respect to any employee benefit plan to which this title applies. Sets forth the information that shall be contained in such report. Provides that the administrator of any employee benefit plan subject to this Act shall file with the Secretary of Labor a copy of the plan description and each annual report. States that the Secretary may reject any such filing after notice, hearing, and determination by the Secretary that such filing is incomplete for the purpose of this title. Sets forth criminal penalties for intentional violations of this title. Provides that civil actions may be brought under this title by a participant or beneficiary: (1) for personal liability to such participant or beneficiary for failure to provide information required under this Act; or (2) to recover benefits due him under the terms of his plan or to clarify his rights to future benefits. Authorizes such actions by: (1) the Secretary, or by a participant, beneficiary or fiduciary, for appropriate relief under the fiduciary responsibility provisions of this Act; or (2) by the Secretary to enjoin any act or practice which appears to him to violate any provision of this title. Provides that the contents of the descriptions and regular annual reports filed with the Secretary pursuant to this title shall be public information. Provides for the bonding of persons who have fiduciary responsibilities under this title and of persons who handle funds or other property of an employee benefit plan. Sets forth the fiduciary responsibilities of the administrators of plans covered by this Act. Establishes an Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans to advise the Secretary with respect to the carrying out of his functions under this title. Title II: Vesting - Provides that this title shall apply to any employee pension benefit plan if it is established or maintained by an employer engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce or by such employer together with any employee organization representing employees engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce; or if such plan is established or maintained by any employer or by any employer together with any employee organization and if, in the course of its activities, such plan, directly or indirectly, uses any means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or the mails. Excludes from the coverage of this title any employee pension benefit plan if: it is administered by the Federal Government or by an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government; it is established and maintained outside the United States primarily for the benefit of persons who are not citizens of the United States; or it provides contributions or benefits for a sole proprietor or, in the case of a partnership, a partner who owns more than 10 percent of either the capital interest or the profits interest in such partnership. Specifies that no pension plan subject to this title may provide as a condition of eligibility a period of service longer than 2 years or age higher than 30 years. Establishes certain nonforfeitable rights on the part of employees to receive benefits. Stipulates that in computing the period of service under a plan, the employee's entire service with the contributing employer must be considered, except in specified instances. Allows the Secretary to require a certificate of approval with respect to the vesting provisions of any pension plan. Title III: Funding - Provides that this title applies to the same employee benefit pension plans as does title II and excludes from coverage, in addition to those plans excluded under title II, any plan which has a fixed contribution rate and does not provide an amount expected to be paid as a fixed benefit and any plan which is a profit-sharing plan providing benefits at or after retirement. Requires pension plans subject to this title to provide for contributions to the plan in amounts necessary to meet an amount equal to the normal cost since inception of the plan plus interest on any unfunded past service costs and to maintain a minimum ratio of assets to vested liabilities according to a certain schedule. Requires the administrator of a plan to, at certain intervals, file with the Secretary a statement containing the following information: (1) the amount of normal cost since inception of the plan plus interest on any unfunded past service costs; (2) the total amount of the plan's vested liabilities at the close of its preceding fiscal year; (3) the assets held by the plan as of the close of its preceding fiscal year valued at market value or by any other method approved by the Secretary pursuant to regulation; (4) the number of years the plan has been in effect; (5) a statement of the amount, if any, by which the assets held by the plan either exceed or fall below the amount of assets required in order for the plan to meet the required funding ratio; and (6) such other information determined by the Secretary by regulation to be necessary for adequate disclosure of a plan's funding status. Provides that when the contributions to a pension plan fall below amounts necessary to meet the normal cost of the plan plus interest on past costs, the Secretary shall require by order, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that the administrator take necessary steps to guarantee that the rights of each participant to benefits or to the amounts credited to his account are nonforfeitable in the event of the participant's termination. Provides that when a plan's ratio of assets to vested liabilities falls below the funding ratio required, the plan's vested liabilities shall not be increased by an amendment until the plan's required ratio is attained. Specifies that when a plan's ratio of assets to vested liabilities falls below the required ratio for 5 consecutive years, the Secretary shall require that the administrator take steps to suspend further accumulation of vested liabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Increases from 2 percent to 2 1/2 percent the multiplication factor used in computing annuities of Federal employees engaged in hazardous duties, for purposes of Civil Service retirement. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339)
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Provides a basic $5,000 exemption from income tax under the Internal Revenue Code in the case of an individual or a married couple, for amounts received as annuities, pensions, or other retirement benefits. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 72a)
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Excludes the first $3,000 of an individual's civil service retirement annuity (or other Federal retirement annuity or pension) from the income tax under the Internal Revenue Code. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 124)
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1973
Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State education agencies to enable them to develop and carry out program to provide, through the use of students to institutions of higher education, tutoring and instructional assistance, under the supervision of a qualified teacher, for homebound handicapped children who, though able to benefit from preschool, elementary, or secondary education, are prevented by their handicaps from attending school. Requires local educational institutions that apply for funds under this program to give special consideration to veterans qualified for vocational financial need. Requires that the compensation for participating college students shall be between the Federal minimum wage set by the Commissioner and the maximum wage set by the Commissioner. Requires that the aim of such program shall be to integrate the handicapped into society, and to avoid the development of a segregated, permanent system of educcation for the handicapped. Provides that the Commissioner shall make grants under this Act to State educational agencies on the merits of their proporsal to him which shall be submitted on such application forms and under such guidelines as he shall prescribe. Authorizes $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and necessary funds for fiscal years 1975 and 1976, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Commissioner to allocate the first 25 percent of such funds to each State in proporation to the ratio that the number of children aged three to twenty-one in the State bears to the number of such children in all the States. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State education agencies to enable them to develop and carry out programs to provide, through the use of students in institutions of higher education, tutoring and instructional assistance, under the supervision of a qualified teacher, for homebound handicapped children who, though able to benefit from preschool, elementary, or secondary education, are prevented by their handicaps from attending school. Requires local educational institutions that apply for funds under this program to give special consideration to veterans qualified for vocational rehabilitation, and to students with greater financial need. Requires that the compensation for participating college students shall be between the Federal minimum wage set by the Commissioner and the maximum wage set by the Commissioner. Requires that the aim of such program shall be to integrate the handicapped into society, and to avoid the development of a segregated, permanent system of education for the handicapped. Provides that the Commissioner shall make grants under this Act to State educational agencies on the merits of their proposals to him which shall be submitted on such application forms and under such guidelines as he shall prescribe. Authorizes $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and necessary funds for fiscal years 1975, and 1976, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Commissioner to allocate the first 25 percent of such funds to each State in proportion to the ratio that the number of children aged three to twenty-one in the State bears to the number of such children in all the States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Consumer Protection Agency Act - Title I: Office of Consumer Affairs - Creates an Office of Consumer Affairs within the Executive Office of the President. Provides that the office shall be headed by a Director and a Deputy Director, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Director powers to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Director to transmit to Congress and the President in January of each year a report of the activities of the Office during the preceding year including a summary of consumer complaints and recommendations for additional legislation deemed necessary to protect the interests of U.S. consumers. Provides that it shall be the function of the Office to: (1) coordinate the programs and activities of all Federal agencies relating to the interests of consumers in order to achieve effectiveness, avoid duplications and inconsistencies, and to promote the purposes of this title; (2) encourage and assist in the development and implementation of consumer programs and activities in the Federal Government; (3) assure that the interests of consumers are taken into consideration by appropriate Federal agencies both in the formulation of policies with respect to consumers and in the operation of programs that may affect consumer interests; (4) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Administrator of the Consumer Protection Agency in carrying out its functions under title II of this Act; (5) advise and make recommendations to all Federal agencies with respect to general policy matters concerning the effectiveness of programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers; (6) submit recommendations to the Congress and the President on the means by which programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers can be improved; (7) conduct conferences and surveys concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (8) encourage, initiate, coordinate, and participate in consumer education and counseling programs (including credit counseling); (9) cooperate with and give technical assistance to State and local governments in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (10) cooperate with and assist private enterprise in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (11) publish and distribute in a Consumer Register material which will include notice of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules and orders, and other useful information, translated from its technical form into language which is understandable by the public; and (12) keep the appropriate committees of the Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities. Title II: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government the Consumer Protection Agency, headed by an Administrator and a Deputy Administrator, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Agency powers to carry out the objective of this Act. States that the functions of the Agency shall be to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this title; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services, and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the consumer interest; (4) publish and distribute material developed pursuant to carrying out its responsibilities under this Act which will inform consumers of matters of interest to them; (5) conduct conferences, surveys, and investigations, including economic surveys, concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (6) keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities; and (7) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Director of the Office in the carrying out of his functions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Telephone Privacy Act - Prohibits the making of unsolicited commercial telephone calls to persons who have notified their telephone company that they do not wish to receive such calls. Prescribes a $1,000 fine and/or thirty days imprisonment where at least ten written complaints of violations by any person have been received by the United States attorney in the judicial district.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Makes it the sense of the Congress that: (1) the producers and distributors of motion pictures and television and radio programs should cease the production and distribution of those films and programs which defame, sterotype, ridicule, demean, or degrade ethnic, racial, or religious groups; (2) those responsible persons in the motion picture and broadcasting industries who are desirous of contributing to the vitality of democratic institutions by promoting ethnic, racial, and religious harmony should establish adequate standards for the production of films and broadcasts which portray ethnic, racial, or religious groups and that such standards should be rigorously enforced by the motion picture and broadcasting industries; and (3) if within one year after the enactment of this resolution the motion picture and broadcasting industries have failed to establish and enforce adequate standards for the production of films and broadcasts which portray ethnic, racial, or religious groups, appropriate committees of the House and Senate shall formulate and propose such measures as are necessary to establish and implement such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Provides that in the determination of the annual income of recipients of vetetans' pensions and dependency and indemnity compensation the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not reduce the amount of such pension or compensation because of increases in monthly social security benefits under Public law 92-336. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 415(g)(4) 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Authorizes the Surgeon General to provide Federal assistance for special projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of programs to provide emergency care for heart attack victims by cardiologists and other trained persons in specially equipped ambulances. Provides that not more than 2 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out title IX of the Public Health Service Act shall be used to carry out the provisions of this Act. (Adds 42 U.S.C. 299h)
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Provides for enforcement of safety and health standards for metal and nonmetallic mines under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Repeals the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mines Safety Act. States that each health and safety standard promulgated by the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mines Safety Act which is in effect on the effective date of this Act shall be deemed to be an occupational safety or health standard promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1973
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Confers upon the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Secretary for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect youth camps. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Authorizes penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal year 1973 and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to carry out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States and the District of Columbia shall elect the President and Vice President. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for such offices shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole vote cast. Provides for a runoff election in any other case.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Establishes an Institute for Continuing Studies of Juvenile Justice to serve as a coordinating center for the collection and dissemination of information in the field of juvenile delinquency and control, including comparisons and analysis of State and Federal laws and model laws and recommendations designed to promote effective and efficient systems of juvenile justice; and as a training center for representatives of all levels of government who are connected with the treatment and control of juvenile offenders. Provides that the Institute shall be under the supervision of a Director, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who will supervise the staff, faculty, and administrative personnel necessary to the Institute's functioning. Gives the Institute powers to carry out the objectives of this Act. Creates an Advisory Commission to design a curriculum for the Institutes enrollees and to supervise the overall policy and operations of the Institute. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 5041-5048)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Entitles any Federal employee who is separated from the civilian service to an annuity if such employee's age plus service aggregates at least 80 years. Grants an annuity to an employee separated from the service: (1) involuntarily, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency; or (2) while his agency, or subdivision thereof, is undergoing a major reduction in force, as determined by the Commission, and who is serving in such geographic areas as may be designated by the Commission; after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service. Provides that a Member who is separated from the service after attaining age plus service aggregating at least 80 years is entitled to an annuity. Reduces the annuity for an employee or Member by one-twelfth of one percent for each full month the employee or Member is under 55 years of age at the date of separation. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8336)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Increases the contribution of the Federal Government to the costs of health benefits to Federal employees. Provides that the Civil Service Commission shall determine the average of the subscription charges in effect on the beginning date of each contract year with respect to self alone or self and family enrollment as applicable for the highest level of health benefits offered by the service benefit plan, the indemnity benefit plan, the two employee organization plans with the largest number of enrollments and the two comprehensive medical plan with the largest number of enrollments. Provides that, except as otherwise stated in this Act, the biweekly government contribution for health benefits for an employee enrolled in a health plan under this chapter shall be adjusted to an amount equal to the following percentage of the average subscription charge: 55 percent during 1973; 60 percent during 1974; 65 percent during 1975; 70 percent during 1976; and 75 percent during 1977, and each year thereafter. Permits an annuitant who is participating or who is eligible to participate in the health benefit program offered under the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefit Act, to elect coverage instead under the Government Employees Health Insurance Program established by the United States Civil Service Commission. Provides that each contract with a carrier for a health plan shall require the carrier to agree to pay for or provide a health service or supply in an individual case if the Commission finds that the employee, annuitant, or family member is entitled thereto under the teams of the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Authorizes a phased increase, over a specified period of time, in postage rates for second-class publications. States that such increases shall take place in two-year steps. Provides that the rates for the first 250,000 pieces of each issue of a second-class publication shall not exceed sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the applicable rates. Provides that after July 6, 1972, the revenues received from rates for second-class publications shall not exceed fifty percent of the published rate. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to credit to the Postal Service Fund such sums as may be needed to equal the revenues that would have been received if the publishers of second-class publications were to pay one hundred percent of the applicable rate for such postage. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 3626)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to assist elementary and secondary schools to carry on programs to teach moral and ethical princples. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1972, and for each of the two succeeding years, to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Authorizes the Surgeon General to provide Federal assistance for special projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of programs to provide emergency care for heart attack victims by cardiologists and other trained persons in specially equipped ambulances. Provides that not more than 2 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out title IX of the Public Health Service Act shall be used to carry out the provisions of this Act. (Adds 42 U.S.C. 299h)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides, under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, a full annuity for any individual (without regard to his age) who has completed thirty years of railroad service. (Amends 45 U.S.C. 228a)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Moves, under the Controlled Substances Act, amphetamines, phenmetrazine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate from schedule III of such Act to schedule II.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Establishes a Committee on Environment in the House of Representatives, consisting of 25 members. Provides that such Committee shall deal with all measures relating to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions, including: (1) water quality; (2) air quality; (3) weather modification; (4) waste disposal and management; (5) pesticides and herbicides; and (6) acoustic problems.