United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give special emphasis to insuring mortgages covering medical practice facilities which are primarily for the purpose of providing preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services to elderly outpatients. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to entitle a grant recipient to an additional grant if such recipient plans to use such additional grant for the construction or maintenance of a senior center providing recreational, health, and nutritional services. Directs the Secretary to insure mortgages made in connection with senior centers offering health, nutritional, recreational, and social facilities to elderly persons, regardless of whether such centers offer housing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse. Directs such Clearinghouse to establish and maintain a computer system to gather information on services and benefits available to the elderly through public and private agencies. Directs the Clearinghouse to publish and keep current a publication describing services and benefits available to the elderly under Federal law. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to establish and maintain the Clearinghouse. Creates in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Elderly Health, to perform specified duties, including the coordination of Department policy relating to the health of the elderly and coordination of the interagency task force on long-term home and institutional care of the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act to permit the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and loans for the initial costs of establishing and operating home health agencies and for expansion of their services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to educational institutions and other public and nonprofit private entities for programs for the training of guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, geriatric specialists, and other home health services personnel. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for fiscal year 1977 for the purpose of making such grants. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within its medical coverage: (1) preventive health care, including an annual comprehensive physical examination of older individuals, and diagnostic services; (2) hearing aids, foot care, dental care, and vision aids (including hearing and vision examinations for older individuals); (3) care and services provided by outpatient clinics for the elderly; (4) nutritional counseling; (5) professional guidance and counseling for aged and disabled individuals living alone at home; (6) periodic chore services; and (7) hospital outreach services. Revises such Act to require State comprehensive medical plans to include provisions for intermediate care facility services. Charges the Professional Standards Review Organization with the same responsibility for review of health care services in the case of skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and other long-term care providers as now required with respect to hospitals. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in funding specified demonstration and pilot projects to determine the effectiveness of various home health and supportive services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to conduct annual health fairs through which individuals over age 60 would be provided free medical checkups. Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants to help meet the cost of establishing and operating private nonprofit entities to provide community care to persons over age 65. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to establish and operate programs to provide mobile health facilities to persons over age 60. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that a minimum of $20,000,000 be obligated for grants and contracts for emergency medical services systems for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Removes all limits on the number of home health visits for which payments may be made under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes appropriate health professionals, as well as physicians, to establish home health services plans under the Medicare program. States that when such services are planned by a health professional other than a physician, such services shall include nutritional counseling, and "periodic chore services," and "hospital outreach services" as are defined in this Act. Includes within the term "medical and other health services" as defined in title XVIII: (1) annual, comprehensive physical examinations; (2) examinations for eyeglasses; (3) examinations for hearing aids; (4) dental services; (5) foot care services; and (6) the provision of eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures. Includes "outpatient rehabilitation services" within the medical and other health services for which payment will be made under the Medicare program. Defines the term "outpatient rehabilitation services. Includes, within the class of medical and other health services for which payment will be made under the Medicare program, health and supportive services furnished by, or under the direction of, health professionals in elderly day care centers. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to publish regulations governing the provision of such services. Extends the scope of the review functions of professional standards review organizations under title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to include the review of health care services at skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and other long-term care providers, and the performance of nurses, social workers, guidance counselors, and other health care professional, as well as physicians. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that all Federal and federally supported health programs include comprehensive home health care to the same extent as it is provided for under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes a tax deduction, under the Internal Revenue Code, for any taxpayer who contributes the right to use any real property owned by the taxpayer to a tax-exempt organization for use by a qualified senior citizen facility. Limits such deduction to 50 percent of the lesser of the fair market rental value of such property or the amount of State or local property taxes which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer and which are allocable to such property.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Older Americans Health Services Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase the amounts authorized to be appropriated in fiscal year 1976 through 1978 for purposes of informational exchange on the subject of restraining programs for older Americans. Allows the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under such Act to cover the cost of administering and operating multipurpose senior centers. Declares it the sense of Congress that any Federal legislation establishing a national health insurance program should include specified provisions relating to the availability of home health services for older persons.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Older Persons Comprehensive Counseling Assistance Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the finding of Congress that systematic, organized community programs of counseling can help make older persons as independent as possible, encouraging meaningful lives in the community and outside care institutions. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for fiscal years 1977-1981 for the purposes of making grants under this Act. Directs the United States Commissioner on Aging, through the National Information Resource Clearing House for the Aging, to collect, analyze, and disseminate information related to counseling services for older persons. Title II: Counseling Assistance Programs - Requires each State desiring a grant under this Act to submit a comprehensive State plan for providing counseling assistance to the elderly, such plan to conform to specified criteria. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States having approved plans, such grants to be distributed to area agencies on aging for counseling assistance programs for the elderly on the basis of statewide needs and priorities. Permits the use of grants to fund counseling assistance outreach programs, preretirement counseling programs, career counseling assistance programs, referral services, community activities, and counseling for families of sick and disabled senior citizens. Enumerates requirements for State programs and for State training and retraining programs for counseling personnel. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to contract with postsecondary education institutions and area agencies on aging for the purpose of providing needed training and retraining of counseling personnel. Directs the Commissioner on Aging to carry out a program of demonstration and evaluation for specified purposes, including: (1) identification of existing effective practices in counseling older persons; (2) identification of areas where further development is needed; and (3) development of model training programs for professional counselors.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to direct the Corporation to provide financial assistance to qualified programs designed to furnish legal assistance to eligible older persons in connection with any determination relating to eligibility or payment for home health services or specified health-related hearings under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
States that for the purpose of hiring senior citizen interns, each Member of the House of Representatives shall have available annually a gross allowances of $600. Requires that each intern be 60 years of age or older. Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives to hire for two weeks each year, between May 1 and May 31, two senior citizen interns who will serve as such within the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Establishes the House Committee on Health which shall have the responsibility for investigating health measures generally, health facilities, health care programs, national health insurance, public health and quarantine, and biomedical research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Directs the President to express the request of the United States Government that the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics provide Valentyn Moroz with the opportunity to accept the invitation of Harvard University to join the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute for the 1976-77 academic year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
Title I: Drug Safety Amendments - Requires, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the insertion on packages of any drug which may be sold only upon prescription, the name and place of business of the manufacturer of the final dosage form of the drug and, if different, the name and place of business of the packer or distributor and, in the case of any other drug or device, the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Requires reports on, and recordkeeping pertaining to, clinical and preclinical investigation of drugs or substances intended for use as a drug. Provides that if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines that any information obtained or received by him reasonably supports a conclusion that such a drug introduced for commercial distribution may present a significant hazard to human health, or may cause cancer in animals, he shall mail or cause to be mailed to all practitioners licensed by law to administer drugs, a summary of such information. Provides for the conditional approval of new drugs by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to immediately suspend approval of a drug application upon the finding that a condition has not been met. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the National Institutes of Health and in consultation with the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, to support studies of the short-term or long-term use of any drug and of drugs with alternative forms of therapy and studies involving the comparison of drugs. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for each fiscal year for such studies. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to the Congress respecting the activities undertaken or supported under this title. Title II: Food and Drug Administration - Food and Administration Act - Establishes a Food and Drug Administration within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Directs the President to appoint, with the advice and consent the Senate, a Commissioner of the Administration. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) attempt to eliminate products presenting unreasonable risk of disease, injury, or death; (2) establish a capability within the Commission to engage in risk-based analysis; (3) establish an interdisciplinary epidemiology capability and undertake investigations to facilitate regulation-making and to assist in risk-based analysis; (4) establish a scientific capability within the Administration to assist in hazard detection, test method development, and quality control requirements; and (5) utilize field operations to conduct product evaluation, facilitate detection of conditions associated with products subject to his jurisdiction which might lead to disease, injury, or death, to monitor compliance with required levels of safety performance, to report violations, and to assist in enforcement actions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1976
National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act - Declares it the policy of Congress that persons facing involuntary commitment to a mental or geriatric care facility be given the benefit of due process of law, including but not limited to the right of counsel, in all court and administrative proceedings. Entitles persons so committed seeking release or those alleging deprivation of any constitutional or statutory right to the same safeguards. Requires that an ombudsperson system, to help solve patients' problems which do not involve litigation but necessitate aid, advice, or counseling, be provided and be accessible to all clients of any mental or geriatric care system. Establishes, under the Community Mental Health Centers Act, an Office of Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services, directing that such Office and the National Institute of Mental Health shall actively seek areas for cooperation in education, training, program, policy and service development, and other related matters. Instructs the Office to enter into contracts with States to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining a program of mental health advocacy services, each such program to be under the supervision of a State coordinator. Restricts the amount of any contract entered into to 75 percent of the costs of the program involved. Forbids entering into a contract until it has been submitted to and approved by the Director of the Office. Instructs the State coordinator to set up an office to administer the State program, and directs such office to attempt to establish internship programs with local law schools, graduate schools of social work or psychology, and undergraduate departments of social work or psychology. Grants such office the authority to bring and defend against civil actions for and on behalf of individuals (and classes of individuals) receiving services within the mental health or geriatric care system of the State. Requires that the State program include a mental health, retardation, and geriatric system ombudsperson and that each applicable State facility have its own ombudsperson who reports to the State ombudsperson. Imposes duties and grants specified powers to ombudspersons. Prohibits any State from receiving assistance under the Community Mental Health Centers Act unless such State has established and maintains a mental health advocacy services program. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1976
Amends the District of Columbia Medical and Dental Manpower Act to extend through fiscal year 1977 the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to nonprofit medical and dental schools.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1976
Requires, where a defendent is found guilty of or pleads guilty to an explosive related offense for which one of the possible sentences is death, that the judge who presided at the trial or before whom the guilty plea was entered conduct a separate hearing to determine the existence of mitigating and aggravating factors. Dismisses such requirement where the Government stipulates that none of the aggravating factors exists or that one or more of the mitigating factors exists. Requires that the hearing be conducted before a jury or, if the defendent so moves, before the court alone, if the court and the Government approve. Requires the court to disclose to the defendant or his counsel all material contained in any presentence report, if one has been prepared, except such material as the court determines is required to be withheld for the protection of human life or for the protection of national security. Removes from consideration any such presentence information withheld from the defendant. Sets forth trial procedures and directs the jury, or the court to return a special verdict setting forth its findings as to the existence or nonexistence of each aggravating and mitigating factor. Permits the imposition of the death penalty only where the jury or, where there is no jury, the court finds by a preponderance of the information that one or more of the aggravating factors exists and that none of the mitigating factors exists. Enumerates the mitigating and aggravating factors. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 844)
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Regulatory Reform Act - States Congress' finding that Government economic regulation has become a burden to American business, consumers, and the economy. Requires the President to submit at least once a year for five years a plan to eliminate regulation which has led to inflationary consumer prices or a reduction of competition. Directs that each plan establish more efficient organizational and administrative forms for the regulation of commerce and include provisions necessary to modify or abolish existing agencies and functions so as to eliminate overlapping regulatory jurisdictions and anti-competitive regulations. Requires that such reformation plan be directed toward regulation in the areas of: (1) banking and finance; (2) energy and environment; (3) commerce, and transportation; (4) food, health, safety, and trade practices; and (5) labor, housing, and small business. Defines terms used in this Act. Provides for Congressional review of such plan. Provides that if Congress fails to pass any regulatory reform legislation by a specified date after the President submits his plan to the Congress, such plan shall become effective as of a specified date and all rules of any agency described in such plan shall be of no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Directs the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation to convene a full scale investigation into the entire process surrounding Secretary of Transportation William Coleman's decision to grant the Anglo-French Concorde landing rights at John F. Kennedy Airport and at Dulles International Airport.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Provides that no State shall be required to administer individual means tests for the provision of education, nutrition, transportation, recreation, socialization, or associated services provided under title XX (Grants to States For Services) of the Social Security Act to groups of low-income individuals aged sixty or older. Limits to six months the frequency of recertifications of eligibility for services under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Equal Opportunity and Full Employment Act - Directs the President, with the assistance of the Council of Economic Advisers, to transmit annually a full employment and production program to the Congress. Sets forth a summary of the content to be contained in such annual report. Provides for annual Labor Reports of the President. Requires the Labor Reports to provide detailed attention on a continuing and progressively analytical basis to the changing volume and composition of the American labor supply. Renames the United States Employment Service as the United States Full Employment Service. Creates a Job Guarantee Office in the United States Full Employment Office headed by a Job Guarantee Officer whose responsibility is to provide useful and rewarding employment for any American, able and willing to work but not yet working, unable otherwise to obtain work, and applying to such office for assistance. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to carry out responsibilities under this Act upon the recommendation and approval of the local planning councils. Requires that each Job Guarantee Office in carrying out its responsibilities shall insure that among projects planned that adequate consideration be given to such individuals and groups as may face special obstacles in finding and holding useful and rewarding employment and shall provide or have provided through the coordination of existing programs special assistance including but not limited to counseling, training, and, where necessary, transportation and migration assistance. Provides that such individuals and groups shall include (1) those suffering from past or present discrimination or bias on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin; (2) older workers and retirees; (3) the physically or mentally handicapped; (4) youths to age 21; (5) potentially employable recipients of public assistance; (6) the inhabitants of depressed areas, urban and rural; (7) veterans of the Armed Forces; (8) people unemployed because of the relocation, closing, or reduced operations in industrial or military facilities; and (9) such other groups as the President or the Congress may designate from time to time. Directs that each Job Guarantee Office may, subject to the limitations specified in this Act, enter into agreements with public agencies and private organizations operating on a profit, nonprofit, or limited-profit basis. Requires such agreements to contain assurances that the agency or organization will: (1) provide an annual independent audit to the Job Guarantee Office; and (2) not discriminate on the grounds of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin in the administration of any program encompassed within the agreement. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to: (1) refer jobseekers to the private sector and general public sector employment placement facilities of the Full Employment Service (other than as supplemented by this Act); and (2) directly refer jobseekers for placement in positions on projects drawn from the reservoir of public service and private employment projects. Provides that anyone who presents himself or herself in person at the Full Employment Office shall be considered prima facie "willing and able" to work. Provides that this stipulation specifically shall include persons with impairments of sight, hearing, movement, coordination, mental retardation, or other handicaps. Directs that this stipulation be implemented by the Job Guarantee Officer, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary. Establishes a Standby Job Corps which shall consist of jobseekers registered pursuant to this Act. Provides that such Corps shall be available for public service work upon projects and activities that are approved as a part of community public service work reservoirs established by community boards pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary, by regulation, to provide for: (1) a requirement that jobseekers registered in the Standby Job Corps maintain a status of good standing, which status shall include attendance and performance standards; and (2) a system of compensation for Corps members. Provides that no Standby Job Corps members shall be paid less than the minimum wage in effect in the area. Directs the Joint Economic Committee to: (1) annually review the activities of the executive branch under all sections of this Act; (2) regularly conduct on its own behalf, or in cooperation with or through the facilities of the appropriate legislative committees or subcommittees of the Senate and the House, public hearings in as many labor market areas as feasible; and (3) annually report upon, with its own conclusions and recommendations, the development and administration of the policies and programs mandated by this Act. Establishes a National Institute for Full Employment, within the Department of Labor, under a Director to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, and to operate in continuing consultation with a National Commission for Full Employment Policy Studies. Authorizes and directs the Institute to make, or have made through grants to or contracts with individual researchers and private or public research organizations, universities, and other Government agencies, studies that shall include, but need not be limited to, such subjects as: (1) the policies and programs needed to reduce whatever inflationary pressures may result from full employment to manage any such inflationary pressures through appropriate fiscal policies and indirect and direct controls, and to protect the weaker groups in society from whatever inflationary trends cannot be avoided or controlled; (2) the identification of human potentialities that are hidden, undeveloped, or underdeveloped because of the lack of suitable job opportunities, encouragement, education, or training and of various ways of releasing such potentialities; (3) the forms of education and training needed to help provide people with the skills, knowledge, and values required by existing employment opportunities and technologies and needed to assist in developing such new types of goods, services, technologies, and employment opportunities as may better meet human needs; and (4) the policies and programs needed to substantially eliminate substandard employment, wages, and working conditions and the techniques for establishing standards for employment, wages, and working conditions in accordance with changing levels of national output and resources, and regional variations in output. Authorizes the appropriation for fiscal year 1976, and for each succeeding fiscal year, of such sums as may be needed to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the duty imposed on articles assembled abroad with components produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1976
Establishes an 11 member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment: (1) on farms; (2) in zoos; (3) in laboratory experimentation; and (4) in other situations. Excludes the study or treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the President within two years after its last member is appointed. Terminates the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriaions of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the people of Angola should be allowed to determine their own political future without foreign interference. Expresses support for efforts by the Organization of African Unity to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Angola. Calls upon all countries to terminate military assistance to any group in Angola. States that the President should do his utmost to seek an agreement among the various parties involved in hostilities or in the support of such hostilities in Angola to terminate such hostilities. Directs the President to refrain from providing assistance of any kind, for military activities in Angola, until specifically approved by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1976
Emergency Financial Assistance Corporation Act - Creates a body corporate to be known as the Emergency Financial Assistance Corporation to make and guarantee long-term loans at reasonable interest rates: (1) to State and local governments for public works and facilities; (2) to individuals and corporations to establish new businesses and industries and to expand or otherwise improve existing businesses and industries; and (3) to public agencies and private nonprofit and limited dividend corporations for the construction of low-and-moderate income housing, in order that vital public services may be provided, the health and welfare of our people will be safeguarded, and a full employment economy will be achieved. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $1,000,000,000 subscribed by the United States, payment for which shall be subject to call in whole or in part by the Board of Directors. Authorizes the Corporation to issue rates, debentures, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness up to an aggregate amount of 20 times the paid-in-capital stock of the Corporation at that time. Authorizes the Corporation to make direct loans and guarantees to State and local governments, direct loans for the benefit of business and industry, and loans for low-and-moderate income housing projects. Exempts the Corporation from the taxing authority of the United States or any State or local government. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury $1,000,000,000 to finance the purchase of Corporation stock.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1976
Title I: Foreign Boycotts - Foreign Boycotts Act - Makes it the policy of the United States to oppose, under the provisions of the Export Administration Act, restrictive trade practices or boycotts imposed by foreign countries against any domestic concern of the United States. Provides for the promulgation of rules by the Secretary of Commerce to require that any domestic concern which receives a request for the furnishing of information on the signing of agreements which have the effect of furthering or supporting restrictive trade practices or boycotts by foreign countries to transmit to the Secretary a report stating specified information. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of the requirements of this Act. Title II: Disclosure - Domestic and Foreign Investment Improved Disclosure Act - Requires notification, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by any investor of a proposed acquisition of more than five percent of the equity securities of any United States companys, within ten days after such acquisition, to the issuer of the security, the exchange where it is traded, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sets forth requirements for the statement to be filed with the Commission including: (1) the background, identity, residence, and nationality of such owner and any other person on whose behalf the purchases are to be effected; (2) the source and amount of the funds or other consideration used in making the purchase; (3) the purpose of the acquisition; and (4) the number of shares which are beneficially owned. Grants the Commission authority to seek injunctive relief as it deems necessary and appropriate to secure compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1976
National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act - Declares it the policy of Congress that persons facing involuntary commitment to a mental or geriatric care facility be given the benefit of due process of law, including but not limited to the right of counsel, in all court and administrative proceedings. Entitles persons so committed seeking release or those alleging deprivation of any constitutional or statutory right to the same safeguards. Requires that an ombudsperson system, to help solve patients' problems which do not involve litigation but necessitate aid, advice, or counseling, be provided and be accessible to all clients of any mental or geriatric care system. Establishes, under the Community Mental Health Centers Act, an Office of Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services, directing that such Office and the National Institute of Mental Health shall actively seek areas for cooperation in education, training, program, policy and service development, and other related matters. Instructs the Office to enter into contracts with States to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining a program of mental health advocacy services, each such program to be under the supervision of a State coordinator. Restricts the amount of any contract entered into to 75 percent of the costs of the program involved. Forbids entering into a contract until it has been submitted to and approved by the Director of the Office. Instructs the State coordinator to set up an office to administer the State program, and directs such office to attempt to establish internship programs with local law schools, graduate schools of social work or psychology, and undergraduate departments of social work or psychology. Grants such office the authority to bring and defend against civil actions for and on behalf of individuals (and classes of individuals) receiving services within the mental health or geriatric care system of the State. Requires that the State program include a mental health, retardation, and geriatric system ombudsperson and that each applicable State facility have its own ombudsperson who reports to the State ombudsperson. Imposes duties and grants specified powers to ombudspersons. Prohibits any State from receiving assistance under the Community Mental Health Centers Act unless such State has established and maintains a mental health advocacy services program. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Emergency Medical Services Amendments - Revises provisions of the Public Health Services Act providing Federal assistance for emergency medical service systems with respect to: (1) grants and contracts for the establishment and initial operation of such systems; (2) grants and contracts for the expansion and improvement of such systems; and (3) grants and contracts for research in emergency medical techniques. Authorizes, for the purpose of making grants and contracts to assist emergency medical systems, the appropriation of $70,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $5,083,000 for the transitional quarter, and specified amounts through fiscal year 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act - Sets forth the policy of the Congress that before any person may be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital, all court and administrative proceedings must comport with due process of law, including, but not limited to, the right of counsel. States that to help solve patients' problems which do not require litigation, yet require aid, advice, or counseling, an ombudsperson system must be provided to which all clients of any mental health, mental retardation, or geriatric care system may have access. Establishes an office of Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services. Directs the Office to enter into contracts with States to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining a program of mental health advocacy services. States that such contracts may not exceed 75 percent of the costs incurred in the program. Provides that the program shall include a mental health, retardation, and geriatric system ombudsperson. Prohibits any State from receiving assistance under the Community Mental Health Centers Act unless such State has established and maintains a mental health advocacy services program. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Extends from February 1, 1976, to October 1, 1977, the period during which payment may be made for child day care services under titles IV (Aid to Dependent Children) and XX (Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act without regard to new staffing standards imposed by or under title XX.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1975
Establishes a Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. States that the Commission shall be composed of four Members of the House of Representatives, four Senators, and one member each of the Department of State, Defense, and Commerce, as appointed by the President. Authorizes and directs the Commission to monitor the acts of the signatories to the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe with respect to their compliance with the articles of such Act, particularly with regard to the provisions relating to Cooperation in Humanitarian Fields.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1975
Medical Device Amendments - Provides for the classification of medical devices intended for human use based upon their safety and effectiveness. Describes such classification as follows: (1) Class I includes devices not purported to be for a use which is of substantial importance in supporting, sustaining, or preventing impairment of human life or health and do not present a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury, and for which general controls, as defined are sufficient; (2) Class II includes devices for which it is necessary to establish a performance standard to provide reasonable assurance of their safety and effectiveness; and (3) Class III includes devices for which there is insufficient information for the establishment of a performance standard to provide reasonable assurance of their safety and effectiveness, are purported to be for a use which is of substantial importance in supporting, sustaining, or preventing impairment of human life or health, or present a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Gives the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare responsibility for classifying all such devices. Authorizes the Secretary to establish panels of experts for the purpose of securing recommendations with respect to such classifications. Provides that any such recommendation shall contain a summary of the data upon which the recommendation is based, and an identification of the risks to health presented by the device. Provides that, based on new information respecting a device, the Secretary may, upon his own initiative or upon petition of any interested person, by regulation: (1) change the classification of such device; and (2) revoke, because of the change, any regulation in effect with respect to such device. Authorizes the Secretary, by regulation, to establish a performance standard for a Class II device. Sets forth criteria to be followed in such standard which will assure that the device is safe and effective. Directs the Secretary to provide for periodic evaluation of performance standards established under this Act. Establishes procedures to be followed by the Secretary in developing and changing such standards. Provides that the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice inviting any person, including any Federal agency, to submit an existing standard or an offer to develop such a standard. Requires the Secretary to obtain from the offeror such information concerning the offeror as the Secretary determines is necessary to disclose potential conflicts of interests and the reliability of the offeror. States that if a standard or offer to create a standard is submitted to the Secretary which he does not accept, he shall publish in the Federal Register notice of that fact together with the reasons therefor. Authorizes the Secretary to accept offers to develop a proposed standard for a device. Allows the Secretary to contribute to the offeror's costs in developing a proposed standard. Provides for the development of performance standards by the Secretary when no other means are available. Requires premarket approval for Class III devices. Establishes procedures for such approval. Sets forth criteria upon which the approval or disapproval of such devices shall be based, including a lack of reasonable assurances by the applicant that such device is safe for use under the conditions prescribed in the proposed labeling. Allows the Secretary to withdraw his premarket approval of a device in specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures to be followed for the withdrawal of such approval. States that in the case of a class III device which is required to have an approval of an application submitted, such device shall be considered as having such an approval if a notice of completion of testing conducted in accordance with a product development protocol has been completed as required in the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to ban devices intended for human use if he finds that: (1) they present a substantial deception or a substantial risk of illness or human injury; and (2) such deception or risk could be eliminated by corrective labeling but the manufactuer does not do so. Sets forth procedures governing the banning of such devices. Provides that the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shall hear appeals by any person adversely affected by a decision, rule, or order, of the Secretary under this Act. Provides that if the Secretary determines that a device intended for human use presents an unreasonable risk of substantial harm to the public health, and that notification of such risk is necessary, he may issue such order as may be necessary to assure that adequate notification is provided by the persons and means best suited under the circumstances, to all persons who should receive such notification in order to eliminate such risk. Authorizes the Secretary to require a manufacturer of a medical device intended for human use which: (1) presents a substantial risk of harm to the public health; and (2) was not properly designed or manufactured, to repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of such device at no cost to the person using it. Requires every person who is a manufacturer, importer, or distributor of a medical device intended for human use to establish and maintain such records as the Secretary may by regulation direct. Authorizes the Secretary to require that a device be limited to sale or distribution by prescription of a licensed medical practioner. Authorizes the Secretary to establish mandatory manufacturing methods for medical devices. Directs the Secretary to prescribe procedures under which devices intended for human use may be granted an exemption from the requirements of this Act to permit the investigational use of such devices by experts qualified by scientific training and experience to investigate the safety and effectiveness of such devices. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which a detailed summary of information respecting the safety and effectiveness of a device shall be made available to the public. States that such summaries shall include information respecting adverse effects of the device on health. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Extends specified sections of such Act relating to labeling, inspection, and seizures to medical devices. Requires manufacturers of medical devices intended for human use to register with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and to provide specified information concerning such devices. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an identifiable office to provide technical and other nonfinancial assistance to small manufacturers of medical devices to assist them in complying with the requirements of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1975
Allows foreign countries and agencies thereof and foreign companies to purchase and store United States agricultural commodities or the products thereof in the United States. Provides that such agricultural commodities or products, if so purchased and stored as a reserve for a period of twelve months or longer upon approval by the Secretary of Agriculture, may be exported without regard to any export restraints or controls.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1975
Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings of Congress. States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the restoration, maintenance, and rationalization of the physical facilities and financial stability of the rail system of the United States. Title II: Procedural Reform of the Interstate Commerce Commission - Sets forth organizational and procedural changes in the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Rail Services Planning Office. Authorizes the Commission to establish a new Office of Rail Public Counsel. Stipulates that such Office shall be authorized to seek judicial review of specified actions relating to common carriers under this Act. Authorizes the Office to present before the Commission the views of communities and users of rail service affected by proceedings initiated by or pending before the Commission. Directs the Commission to prescribe, not later than June 30, 1977, a uniform cost and revenue accounting and reporting system for all railroad carriers. Title III: Railroad Rates - Prohibits the Commission from holding the rate of a carrier of one mode of transportation up to a particular level to protect the traffic of a carrier of another mode, if the rate proposed by the carrier is compensatory. States that a rate that is compensatory may not be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the basis that it is too low. Provides that the rate of a carrier is deemed to be compensatory when it equals or exceeds the variable cost to such carrier of providing the specific transportation to which the rate applies. Permits carriers to file with the Commission a notice of intention to file a schedule stating a new rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice whenever the implementation of the proposed schedule would require a total capital investment of $1,000,000 or more, individually or collectively, by such carrier. Authorizes the Commission to exempt from regulation for temporary periods of time any person to whom the application of regulation is unnecessary to effectuate the National Transportation Policy. Title IV: Abandonment - Sets forth procedures to be followed by carriers seeking to abandon service on railroad lines. Title V: Mergers and Consolidations - Sets forth the revised procedure to be followed in merger proceedings before the Commission. Requires notice to be given to Governors of those States affected by rail service mergers under this Act. Sets a 90-day delimiting period in which the Commission is to receive applications for consideration under this Act. Title VI: Provisions Relating to Discriminatory State Tax Practices - Designates specific State tax and assessment proceedings which shall be deemed an unreasonable and unjust discrimination against, and an undue burden on, interstate commerce. Title VII: Employee Protection Provisions - Requires railroads to provide fair and equitable arrangements to protect the interests of the employees affected by the abandonments, mergers, and consolidations authorized under the procedures in this Act. Title VIII: Establishment of Rail Transportation Fund - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Rail Transportation Fund, to consist of four separate accounts designated as follows: (1) the Rail Services Continuation Subsidy Account; (2) the Consolidation, Merger, and Improvement of Facilities Account; (3) the Rail Passenger and Intermodal Facility Account; and (4) the Loan Guarantee for Rail Improvement and Service Account. Authorizes appropriations to the separate accounts through fiscal year 1980 from sums appropriated pursuant to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act. Permits the Secretary to guarantee, loans for the Rail Improvement and Service Account. Title IX: Regional Rail Reorganization Act Amendments - Authorizes the United States Railway Association to purchase debentures and preferred stock of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, in order to provide: (1) for the modernization, rehabilitation, and maintenance of rail properties acquired by the Corporation under this Act; (2) for the acquisition of equipment and other capital needs; (3) for the refinancing of indebtedness incurred by the Corporation under this Act; or (4) working capital as contemplated by the final system plan. Authorizes appropriations to the Association of $2,100,000,000 to be used to pruchase securities of the Corporation. Allows the Secretary to provide further financial assistance in the form of grants or loans in order to further the purposes of this Act. Title X: Studies and Revisions - Provides for appropriate existing law revision to implement this Act, Authorizes a study of Federal aid to rail transportation. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study of railroad electrification for high density rail lines. Provides for a study and evaluation of the projected future of the rail system in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1975
Requires that States having agreements entered into under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act will continue to make social security payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis no more frequently than the fifteenth of the second month following the calendar quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1975
Increases the value of exemptions for taxable estates under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $200,000 of the value of the gross estate. Increases the limitation on the aggregate marital deduction to 50 percent of the adjusted gross value of the estate, plus $100,000. Allows an executor to value farmland, woodland, and scenic open land at its current use value rather than at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
States that the staffing standards imposed for child day care centers under title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act shall be determined by the State, but in any event such standards shall be no lower than the corresponding standards which were required under applicable State law on September 15, 1975. Provides that if such standards are less than 125 percent of such corresponding standards, they shall be increased to that amount within 6 months. Encourages the employment of welfare recipients in the provision of child day care services by authorizing grants to providers hiring welfare recipients in amounts equal to 80 percent of such person's wages (up to $6,000).
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Designates the week beginning April 4, 1976, as "National Rural Health Week." Urges that efforts in disseminating health information be intensified. Calls for improved health services for rural America.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1975
National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act - Sets forth the policy of the Congress that before any person may be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital, all court and administrative proceedings must comport with due process of law, including, but not limited to, the right of counsel. States that to help solve patients' problems which do not require litigation, yet require aid, advice, or counseling, an ombudsperson system must be provided to which all clients of any mental health, mental retardation, or geriatric care system may have access. Establishes an office of Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services. Directs the Office to enter into contracts with States to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining a program of mental health advocacy services. States that such contracts may not exceed 75 percent of the costs incurred in the program. Provides that the program shall include a mental health, retardation, and geriatric system ombudsperson. Prohibits any State from receiving assistance under the Community Mental Health Centers Act unless such State has established and maintains a mental health advocacy services program. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
Declares that the Congress has not delegated to the Federal Trade Commission any authority to preempt the laws of the States or their political subdivisions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1975
Consumer Beef-Grading Act - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Task Force on Beef-Grading Standards, to exist until terminated by the Congress. Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including to determine the needs and preferences of consumers with respect to beef-grading standards, and to make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to prescribing regulations establishing new beef-grading standards. Outlines factors which must be considered in making such recommendations. Provides that the task force shall be composed of 16 members appointed by the Secretary. Directs that the task force be headed by a Director appointed by the members. Authorizes the Director to appoint a staff. Directs the Secretary to establish new beef-grading standards which shall reflect the recommendations made by the task force. Requires the Secretary to prepare notices describing the beef-grading standards prescribed pursuant to this Act. Provides that such standards shall include amounts of marbling and leanness in each grade of beef, the nutritional qualities of each grade, cost-value information, and general instructions on preparation and cooking of each grade. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of consumer education with regard to the beef- grading standards. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums or may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1975
Includes New Jersey in the list of States which may establish a divided retirement system for purposes of providing social security coverage of State and local employees under Federal-State agreements pursuant to the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1975
Local Tax Relief Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to pay overdue State and local real estate and personal property taxes by any railroad in reorganization. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Provides that this Act shall expire on December 31, 1978, without prejudice to the rights of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1975
Denies electric and gas public utilities a deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for amounts paid or incurred by such utilities to advertise or promote the sale or use of electricity or gas.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should, upon visiting the People's Republic of China, request that the Chinese officials use their good offices to obtain an accounting of members of the United States Armed Forces missing in action and confined as prisoners of war in Southeast Asia and of all American civilian personnel who are listed as missing in Southeast Asia. Requests that upon his return to the United States, the President should report back to the Congress on the results of his request.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1975
Allows a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code to individuals who rent their principal residences for the portion of the real property taxes paid or accrued by their landlords that may be allocated to such residence.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1975
Clean Air Act Amendments - Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums for fiscal years 1976 through 1978 for Federal enforcement procedures, vehicle and other equipment procurement, and other programs for air pollution control under the Clean Air Act. Title I: Amendments Relating Primarily to Stationary Sources - Provides for the regulation of air pollution caused by vinyl chloride, cadmium, arsenic, and polycyclic organic matter found to be causes of or contributing to endangering public health. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate a national primary ambient air quality standard for specified gas concentrations. Requires a study of the effect on the public health and welfare of sulfates, vinyl chloride, and other matter present in the ambient air. Stipulates the basis for administrattive standards under the Clean Air Act. Defines terms under such Act. Defines "hazardous air pollutant" for purposes of such Act as meaning an air pollutant to which no ambient air quality standard is applicable and which in the judgment of the Administrator causes, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to result in an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illnesss. Authorizes extensions of Federal compliance dates for State plans under the Clean Air Act. Authorizes the collection of excess emission fees under the Clean Air Act. Directs the Administrator, at the time a compliance date extension is granted or approved under such Act to any major stationary source of air pollution, to determine whether or not the circumstances which made such source eligible for such extension were primarily beyond the control of the owner or operator of such source. Provides for major stationary sources granted compliance date extensions under such Act to pay fees based on the amount of any air pollutant emitted by such sources in excess of the requirement with respect to which such extensions are granted if the circumstances which made such sources eligible for such extensions were not primarily beyond the control of the owners or operators of such sources. Provides for compliance date extensions for purposes of converting fuel burners to coal use through 1980. Provides under the Clean Air Act for measures designed to protect the stratrosphere, and the ozone in the stratosphere. Requires the Administrator to conduct a study of the cumulative effect of all substances and activities which may affect the stratosphere. Directs the Administrator to establish a Coordinating Committee for the coordination of the efforts of other Federal agencies carrying out research and studies related to research on stratospheric protection. Repaires a report to the Congress on the work of such Committee. Title II: Amendments Relating Primarily to Mobile Sources - Directs the Administrator to conduct a study on the necessity and effectiveness of indirect source review programs which are contained in State implementation plans in reducing or preventing any projected increase in emissions of any mobile source-related air pollutant. Requires a report to the Congress on the results of such study. Sets limitations upon controls of indirect pollution sources promulgated by the Administrator. Provides for test procedures for the measurement of evaporative emissions of hydrocarbons from vehicles and engines manufactured during or after model year 1978. Requires the establishment of emission standards under the Clean Air Act for pollutants from railroad locomotives, locomotive engines, and secondary power sources on railroad rolling stock. Requires that any such standards shall take effect after such period as the Administrator finds necessary, upon consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to permit the development and application of the requisite technology which is found to be feasible for controlling such emissions. Stipulates that regulations under the Clean Air Act governing vapor recovery for mobile source fuels at the retail outlets of such fuels shall provide that the cost of vapor recovery equipment procurement and installation shall be borne by the distributor and that no part of such shall be transferred to any retail outlet. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendments - Provides for the redesignation of the air quality control regions within the States under the Clean Air Act. Requires the Administrator to conduct continuing evaluations of potential loss or shifts of employment which may result from the issuance of requiremtnts under this Act. Authorizes the employees discharged, laid-off, or threatened with layoffs, due to such requirements to request of the Administrator a full investigation of the matter. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct public hearings following such requests wherein he may require parties, including the employers involved, to report on the effect of such requirements. Prohibits employers from discharging any employee who makes such a request or who commences any proceeding under this title.
![Official portrait of Rep. Florio, James J. [D-NJ-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/dfda094a48c87dccd97fd47288d44ac3_200.jpg)