United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Diabetes Research and Training Amendments and National Diabetes Advisory Board Extension Act of 1979 - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to redesignate the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases and the Advisory Council to such Institute as the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, Diabetes, and Digestive Diseases and the National Arthritis, Metabolism, Diabetes, and Digestive Diseases Advisory Council. Establishes within the Advisory Council separate subcommittees on diabetes, arthritis, digestive diseases, and kidney diseases. Directs these subcommittees to: (1) review applications made to the Director of the Institute for research projects relating to such diseases and make recommendations to the Advisory Council; and (2) review and evaluate programs directed at such diseases. Establishes within the Institute the position of Associate Director for Diabetes. Sets forth the duties of the Associate Director, including: (1) having primary responsibility for all diabetes-mellitus-related activities supported or conducted by the National Institutes of Health; (2) providing information to public and private agencies with respect to such activities; and (3) reporting and making recommendations to the Director of the National Institutes of Health with respect to other enumerated functions. Extends the authorization of appropriations for diabetes research and training centers in the following amounts: $14,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, and $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1983 through 1985. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide from such amounts up to ten training stipends through each center in any fiscal year. Eliminates as an ex officio member of the National Diabetes Advisory Board the Secretary of Defense or his designee; adds as such a member the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development or his designee. Revises the terms of appointed members of the Board. Directs the Board to amend the Diabetes Plan (formulated by the National Commission on Diabetes under the National Diabetes Mellitus Research and Education Act) as is necessary to insure its continuing relevance. Extends the current level of authorizations for the purposes of the Board ($300,000 per fiscal year) through fiscal year 1985. Extends the expiration date of the Board from September 30, 1980, to September 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Terminates the Department of Energy on January 15, 1982, unless prior to such date a law is enacted continuing such Department. Requires the President, within 60 days after termination, to submit to Congress a plan for transferring the functions of such Department to other Federal agencies. States that such plan shall take effect unless disapproved within 30 days by either House of Congress. Requires submission of successive reorganization plans until one is not disapproved by either House. Prohibits any such reorganization plan from creating a new executive department.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1979
Congratulates the men and women of the Apollo program upon the tenth anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon and requests the President to designate the period of July 16 through July 24, 1979, as "United States Space Observance" in honor of such event.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1979
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives certain information related to the current oil situation, including data on: (1) shortages, supplies, demand, and allocation of crude oil; and (2) refinery yield reductions and capacity utilization.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1979
Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to extend for 36 months the current ban on any action by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with regard to saccharin.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1979
Farm Water Act of 1979 - Replaces the existing acreage limitation of 160 acres of reclaimed land per individual with a limitation of 320 acres. Permits larger acreages where the land is less productive or other factors make it less valuable for agriculture. Lists specified lands to which the acreage limitations shall not apply including land within a water district which has paid construction charges of the reclamation project relating to the delivery of water to such landholding. Prevents the delivery of water to irrigable land in excess of 320 acres held in private ownership by a single landowner if such landowner refuses to execute a valid contract for the sale of such excess land. States that the provisions of this Act shall not effect existing contracts between the United States and excess landowners relating to the disposal of such excess lands. Permits the delivery of project water to excess land after the effective date of this Act only if the title to such land is made subject to a condition that the land shall not be sold at a price greater than the landowner's costs increased only by the rate increase of the consumer price index for the period between the dates of purchase and sale. Abolishes the requirement that a qualified recipient must reside on or near a landholding in order for such landholding to be eligible to receive water. Permits charitable or religious nonprofit organizations to continue to receive water supplies under contracts executed prior to January 1, 1978. Waives the sovereign immunity of the United States to State law claims and other contractual actions brought in the Federal district courts.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1979
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the introduction, or delivery for introduction, of laetrile (amygdalin) into interstate commerce without the approval of a new drug application.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1979
Nuclear Waste Management Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to make a preliminary determination concerning: (1) the location of a site to serve as a Federal demonstration repository for nuclear waste; (2) the techniques and methods to be used for the design, construction, and operation of such facility; (3) the procedures for transporting such wastes to the facility; and (4) the appropriate actions necessary to assure protection of the public health and safety and of the environment. Requires that any site recommended by the Secretary comport with recommendations made by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to the maximum extent possible. Requires the Secretary to select a site for such Federal nuclear waste repository by June 30, 1980, and to arrange for the construction and operation of such facility on such site by September 30, 1988. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a detailed construction schedule for such facility, including the completion dates of required environmental impact statements and issuance dates of work authorization permits. Directs the Secretary to file with the NRC a license application for the facility and requires the NRC to act on such application within two years of the application submittal. Directs the Secretary to file a license application with the NRC for the receipt and disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress annual status reports on the progress of the facility until operation begins. Directs the Secretary to hold public hearings and submit a comprehensive report to Congress, if the Secretary determines that circumstances exist which may impede the construction of such repository. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds by contract for any research, development, and construction activities necessary to carry out the duties under the Act. Stipulates that the Secretary need not comply with specified bid advertising requirements with respect to such contracts. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with other persons relating to the transfer of nuclear wastes from civilian nuclear power plants licensed under the Atomic Energy Act to the Federal facility. Provides that user fees be established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires that any materials transferred to the Federal facility be in a form suitable for storage, as determined by regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress annual reports of all agreements entered into relating to the transfer of nuclear waste. Provides that all such records, reports, or information obtained by the Secretary be made available to the public, except where either a showing is made that some portion is entitled to protection as trade secrets or the Secretary determines that the confidentiality of information is required as a matter of national security. Permits disclosure of information which may constitute either trade secrets or matters of national security to officers, employees, or authorized representatives of the U.S. concerned with carrying out this Act or involved in proceedings under this Act. Prohibits withholding of any such information from any duly-authorized congressional committee. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on: (1) the effects of Federal routing requirements for barge, rail, and highway shipment of nuclear wastes; and (2) the methods needed to insure State participation in the transportation planning process. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate standards and criteria for exposure to radiation from activities involved in the permanent storage and disposal of nuclear wastes. Requires that such standards be published in the Federal Register for public comment. Directs the Administrator to submit an assessment of public health and safety aspects of such activities to the NRC. Establishes the Nuclear Waste Management Advisory Committee to study and advise the Secretary on matters concerning: (1) the scope, pace, costs, and benefits of research and development of nuclear waste disposal technology; (2) the existing and prospective Federal policies and programs affecting development of such technology; (3) research, development, and demonstration activities relating to the construction and operation of a Federal demonstration repository; (4) means to insure effective participation by State and local authorities, relevant segments of the economy, the scientific and technical community, and the public in the research, development, siting, planning, construction, and operation of a Federal demonstration repository; and (5) any other action taken by the Secretary in carrying out the duties under the Act. Directs heads of Federal agencies to cooperate with the Committee and to furnish any information deemed necessary to carry out its duties under the Act. Directs the Secretary to seek advice from State and local governments, public and private organizations, and industry with respect to such technologies. Requires the Secretary to advise the Governor of any State designated as containing a potential site for construction of the Federal facility, to review and consider any materials or recommendations submitted by the Governor of such State and to notify the Governor of the State finally selected for the construction of the Federal facility. Directs the Secretary to not carry out duties under this Act in the event of such a formal recommendation from the Governor unless he resolves the matter with the Governor or finds that the construction of a repository at the designated site is consistent with the public health and welfare and will further the public interest. Affords that State or its representative the opportunity to participate in any NRC licensing proceeding and allows the State legislature to submit materials to be included in NRC's environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1979
Aviation Safety and Noise Reduction Act - Title I: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a single system of measuring noise and the impact of noise on individuals to be used to measure noise at airports and their surrounding areas and to establish land uses for such areas which are compatible with such noise levels. Allows airport operators to submit noise impact maps to the Secretary setting forth the noncompatible uses in each area of the map, a description of the projected aircraft operations during 1985, and the ways in which such operations will affect such map. Requires the revision of such maps when changes in airport operations would create any new noncompatible use in areas surrounding an airport. Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to authorize the Secretary to make grants to qualified airports for noise compatibility planning. Defines "noise compatibility planning" as the preparation of noise impact maps and noise compatibility programs under this Act. Sets forth limitations regarding the amounts which may be obligated through such grant program. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1980 and thereafter to carry out such grant program. Stipulates that noise compatibility programs be filed with the Secretary. Sets forth factors under which the Secretary may approve or disapprove noise compatibility programs. Stipulates that the Federal share of an approved program shall be 80 percent of its cost. Authorizes the Secretary to obligate up to $100,000,000 out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for fiscal year 1980 to carry out approved noise compatibility programs. Requires the Secretary to prepare noise impact maps and noise compatibility programs for specified airports near the District of Columbia. Limits suits for damages resulting from airport noise by individuals acquiring property in an area surrounding an airport for which a noise impact map has been submitted. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the effectiveness of airport noise compatibility planning and programs which were funded pursuant to this Act. Title II : Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to stipulate that the Federal share for airport system planning or for airport master planning projects shall be 100 percent of the costs of such a project if: (1) the area involved is a coastal island having a population between 1,500 and 25,000; (2) the island is separated from the coast by approximately 20 miles; and (3) the island is located within a standard consolidated statistical area which has a population of 5,000,000 or more and which has one or more major hub airports within such area. Increases specified appropriations authorized under such Act for fiscal year 1980. Increases the Federal share for specified airport development projects. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any project involving the construction or extension of any runway at a general aviation airport which is located astride a line separating two counties within a single State if, before the submission of such project to the Secretary, the project has not been approved by the governing body of any incorporated village located within five miles of such airport. Directs the Secretary to construct an airport control tower at a specified location. Title III : Directs the Secretary by May 1, 1980, to require all aircraft to comply with specified noise standards if, by January 1, 1980, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) does not adopt specified noise standards. Stipulates that if the ICAO does not adopt such standards, the Secretary shall issue a rule requiring all aircraft which do not meet such standards to do so at a phased rate of compliance. Prohibits the issuance of original airworthy certificates for civil subsonic turbojet aircraft above a specified takeoff weight unless such aircraft meet specified noise standards. Authorizes the Secretary to exempt from such noise standards two-engined aircraft exclusively servicing points within the State of Hawaii. Title IV : Directs the Secretary to submit annual reports to the Congress on the implementation of collision avoidance systems in the national air traffic control system.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1979
Permits the same standard mileage rate to be used in determining the amount of income tax deductions for charitable and medical uses of automobiles as is used in determining the amount of income tax deductions for business uses of automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1979
Legal Fees Reimbursement Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Federal Government to reimburse taxpayers who prevail in tax litigation initiated by the Government or by the taxpayer contesting a tax deficiency assessment for all reasonable litigation expenses incurred by such taxpayer. Includes within the meaning of "reasonable litigation expenses" all actual attorneys' fees, court costs, expert witnesses, clerical assistance, travel expenses, preparation of documents, and other related and necessary expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1979
Affirms that farmer cooperatives are a vital and necessary element in maintaining and promoting the family farm system of food production. States that the Department of Agriculture and all appropriate budget appropriation review groups should recognize the need to reinforce and expand programs of cooperative research, service, education, and other cooperative assistance. Declares that the Department should: (1) establish an Office of Farmer Cooperatives as an independent agency within the Department to coordinate such programs; and (2) take other aggressive leadership toward expanding resources for cooperative work.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1979
Intelligence Officer Identity Act of 1979 - Establishes maximum criminal penalties of ten years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine for: (1) past or present employees of the United States or members of the uniformed services; and (2) anyone having lawful access to information identifying individuals as associated with a United States agency engaged in foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, who discloses classified information concerning any such association to anyone not authorized to receive it. Establishes additional penalties for any disclosure or false assertion which prejudices the safety of the individual indentified or damages the foreign affairs functions of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act to require the Congressional Budget Office, for every bill or resolution reported in the House or Senate, to prepare and submit (along with its regular estimate of the Federal cost involved) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out or complying with such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1979
Eliminates the: (1) requirement that a disability must have begun before the insured's sixty-fifth birthday for purposes of a total disability waiver of premiums under veterans' (National Service Life) five-year level premium insurance; and (2) provision prohibiting the waiver of any National Service Life Insurance premium becoming due prior to January 1, 1965, in any case in which the insured's total disability began between his sixtieth and sixty-fifth birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax income of married individuals filing tax returns separate from their spouses at the same rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers an income tax credit for all ordinary and necessary expenses which such taxpayers incur in connection with an audit or a final judicial determination of their tax liability, if such audit or determination establishes that there is no tax deficiency. Disallows an income tax deduction for any audit expenses for which a credit is claimed under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from promulgating a proposed rule applicable to vitamin and mineral products for over-the-counter human use published on March 16, 1979, or from taking any other action which would have the same effect as such proposed rule.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1979
Privacy of Medical Information Act - Title I: Requirements Applicable to Medical Care Facilities - Requires medical care facilities to permit individuals to inspect and have copies of their medical records. Provides for the correction of medical records at the individual's request. Directs medical care facilities to notify individuals of disclosures that may be made without the individual's authorization and the procedures to learn of such disclosures. Limits the disclosure of medical information to properly identified persons beyond the extent necessary. Permits the disclosure of medical records without the individual's authorization in specified circumstances, including employee use, health research, statutory requirements, audits and evaluations, law enforcement functions, judicial and administrative provisions, and benefit determinations. Authorizes U.S. district courts to grant delays, in specified circumstances, before making written statements available to the individual concerning such disclosure. Requires medical care facilities receiving Federal funds to comply with the disclosure provisions. Exempts medical information compiled by a medical care facility in anticipation of a civil action from the provisions concerning individual access and corrections. Requires penal authorities to comply only with the provisions concerning permissible disclosures of medical information. Title II: Requirements Applicable to Government Authorities - Sets forth limits on disclosures of medical information to governmental authorities. Establishes procedures for obtaining medical information pursuant to administrative and judicial search warrants, subpoenas, and written requests. Stipulates that the individual be notified of such disclosures unless an appropriate court orders a delay. Permits an individual to challenge a summons or subpoena of such individual's medical records by a governmental authority. Title III: General Provisions - Provides criminal and civil penalties for violations of the disclosure provisions. Exempts compliance surveys from the disclosure provisions in the Social Security Act. Requires Federal authorities requesting medical information concerning an individual to maintain records on its requests for such information. Exempts medical records maintained by medical care facilities from the disclosure provisions generally applicable to government agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1979
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Private First Class William James Tsakanikas for his service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1979
Privacy of Research Records Act - Stipulates that Federal agencies and contractors, and grantees' of agencies research records shall be confidential. Prohibits the use of such individually identifiable records to directly affect the subjects of such record. Prohibits disclosure of such records without the prior written consent of the individual except under specified circumstances. Requires Federal agencies, contractors, and grantees to notify the subjects of their research records of the possibilities of disclosure in most circumstances. Sets forth limits on recontacting the subjects of research records. Prohibits the direct or indirect use of research records in judicial, administrative, or legislative proceedings in most circumstances. Directs agency heads to identify records as research records before collecting information from individuals. Requires Federal contractors and grantees to establish and maintain procedures protecting research records. Provides for criminal penalties, civil liability, and administrative sanctions for violations of these provisions. Stipulates that statutes providing greater protections to individual privacy are not inconsistent with this Act. Revises the restrictions on the disclosure of information to researchers. Exempts research records from specified provisions concerning records maintained on individuals. Requires the President to report to Congress regarding the records covered by such exemption. Requires Federal agency heads to designate research records before collecting information from individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1979
Independent Contractor Tax Status Clarification Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify standards for determining whether certain individuals qualify as independent contractors for purposes of social security taxation. Treats an individual as an independent contractor if such individual: (1) controls the total number of his work hours; (2) does not maintain a principal place of business, or if he does, such place of business is not provided, or provided rent-free, by the person for whom such individual performs services; (3) has substantial investment in his business and earns income based upon sales or output rather than upon number of hours worked; and (4) performs services pursuant to a written contract and is provided written notice of his responsibility with respect to income and self-employment taxes. Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for service performed by an individual who qualifies as an independent contractor under the standards established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject nonresident aliens and foreign corporations to a tax on the gain from the sale or exchange of farm or rural lands situated in the United States. Requires foreign corporations which hold United States farm lands comprising 20 percent of their assets to make reports on such holdings as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1979
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the enactment of legislation which would result in a level of Federal budget outlays in excess of revenues in any fiscal year. States that such prohibition shall not apply during a period of declared war or economic necessity. Permits budget deficits in the two fiscal years following enactment amounting to five percent of the Federal revenues for the first such year and two percent of the revenues for the second such year. Directs that the preparation, consideration, and adoption of the concurrent resolutions on the budget must conform with the requirements of this Act. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the President to transmit a budget to the Congress which complies with such requirements. Directs the President to take action (by placing funds in reserve, apportionment of funds, or otherwise) necessary to insure such compliance, notwithstanding obligational authority or appropriations made within the executive branch.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Establishes the Channel Islands Marine National Park in the State of California, and includes in such park San Miguel and Prince Islands, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands and surrounding waters. Terminates authority for the Channel Islands National Monument. Sets forth provisions for the acquisition of land for such park. Directs the Secretary of Interior to direct and develop, in cooperation with the State of California, a marine resources study report, including an inventory of all species in the park and recommendations for the protection of marine resources. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of California for the management of those lands and waters within and adjacent to the national park which are owned by the State of California.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Declares that Zimbabwe Rhodesia has (1) demonstrated its willingness to negotiate in good faith at an all parties conference and (2) approved a constitution transferring power to a black majority government. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President (1) should determine that Zimbabwe Rhodesia is in substantial compliance with the International Security Assistance Act of 1978 and (2) should not enforce sanctions against Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Voting Rights Act Repealer Amendments Act of 1979 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal the prohibitions against voting qualifications, prerequisites, tests, or devices which abridge the right of a citizen to vote who is a member of a language minority. Repeals bilingual election requirements that States and other political subdivisions make available registration and voting materials, and voting assistance in languages other than English in areas where more than five percent of the citizens belong to a single language minority.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to increase the aggregate sum available for payment of employee pension benefits under such Act for the period of April 1, 1976, to September 30, 1979. Provides for a decrease in such aggregate sum for each successive fiscal year, through September 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, upon receiving information that a foreign country or instrumentality is engaged in an unfair trade practice with respect to certain goods, to inquire into such practice to determine whether an investigation is warranted. Directs the Special Representative to investigate such practice if the inquiry shows the need for an investigation. Requires the Special Representative to make public any determinations within 150 days after publishing notice of the investigation. Requires the Special Representative to provide for appropriate public hearings. Directs the Special Representative to provide for the presentation of views or for a public hearing after the President takes expedited action in the national interest.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Reform Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to institute a program of voluntary certification for health insurance policies sold in supplementation of medicare. Sets forth minimum standards for such certification with respect to liability, cancellation, reasonableness of premium charge, and economic benefit to the insured. Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) misrepresentations in connection with such certification; (2) the sale of specified types of duplicate insurance; and (3) certain activities in connection with the sale of insurance policies in States which have not approved such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Financial Sponsorship of Immigrants Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require any immigrant wishing to be admitted into the United States to have a five-year financial sponsorship statement at the time of application for admission. Authorizes the Attorney General to make exemptions to such requirement. Provides that the Attorney General or the sponsored immigrant may bring a civil suit against a sponsor who fails to make payments pursuant to a statement of sponsorship. Provides that a Federal, State, or political subdivision may bring a civil suit against a nonpaying sponsor for reimbursement of welfare payments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Honest Budgeting Act of 1979 - Requires the fiscal operations of the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund, the Rural Telephone Bank, the United States Railway Association, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, and the Postal Service Fund to be included in the budget totals of the United States Government effective with the fiscal year 1983 budget.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to require that aged, blind, or disabled aliens must have resided in the United States for five years preceding their application for benefits under such title. Exempts those aliens: (1) who are political refugees; (2) whom a support agreement, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, excuses; or (3) who have specified disabilities. Stipulates that such five-year requirement shall apply only to aliens applying for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the individual income tax credit for the elderly and to increase the adjusted gross income limitation on such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Omnibus Right to Privacy Act of 1979 - Title I: Federal Information Practices Board - Federal Information and Privacy Board Act of 1979 - Establishes the Federal Information Practices Board to conduct continuing oversight of the effect of private and governmental data collection activities on the rights and privileges of individuals. Directs the Board to investigate compliance with Federal laws affecting information practices including laws pertaining to: (1) privacy; (2) freedom of information; (3) fair credit reporting and billing; and (4) government in the sunshine. Title II: Privacy Act Amendments - Privacy Act Amendments of 1979 - Requires Federal agencies to make available to individuals the accessible records they request and any similar or derivative versions of such records. Requires the agency to account to the individual for the actual uses and disclosures made of such record, including other recipients of such record. Specifies limitations on disclosures of such records to third parties, on collection, and on maintenance of such information. Requires Federal agencies to notify sources and prior recipients of all corrections to or statements of disagreements with individually identifiable records. Directs Federal agencies to reconsider any determinations based on erroneous information after receipt of a correction or statement of disagreement. Prohibits Federal action that would foster the development of a standard universal personnel identifier based on social security numbers of otherwise or of a central population register unless specifically provided by statute. Title III: Personal Records - Protection of Personal Records Act - Sets forth procedures to be used for disclosure of consumer reports or credit, financial, toll, or insurance records by a third-party recordkeeper to a Federal officer, employee, or agent, provided such information is obtained pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Includes among the means through which information may be disclosed: (1) written authorization by the person to whom the information relates; (2) administrative subpena; (3) search warrant; (4) judicial subpena; and (5) grand jury subpena. Specifies prerequisite findings and other conditions for the issuance of administrative, judicial, and grand jury subpenas. Prohibits obtaining papers or other personal effects which contain intimate information, including the business records of a sole proprietor, from an individual or third-party recordkeeper by means of administrative subpena, judicial subpena, or search warrant. Title IV: Financial Assistance Records - Privacy of Public Assistance and Social Services Records Act of 1979 - Requires each State, as a condition for the receipt of Federal moneys for public assistance or social services programs, to provide for the privacy of records used in the administering of such programs. Subjects such State privacy laws to the certification of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as meeting the principles specified in this Act. Requires, in accordance with such principles, the provision of access to information by the subject of such information, the correction and accuracy of such information and the establishment of appropriate remedies and penalties for the enforcement of such statute. Title V: Medical Records - Privacy of Medical Records Act - Requires medical care facilities to permit individuals to inspect and have copies of their medical records. Provides for the correction of medical records at the individual's request. Prohibits the disclosure of medical records: (1) unless the person requesting it is properly identified; (2) beyond the extent needed; and (3) without the individual's authorization unless the disclosure meets specified conditions. Conditions a medical care facility's participation in Medicare and Medicaid on compliance with this title. Permits the parent or guardian of a minor child to exercise the child's rights under this title in most circumstances. Exempts certain medical care facilities from the provisions concerning the right to privacy of government records. Title VI: Fair Credit Reporting Act Amendments - Fair Credit Reporting Act Privacy Amendments - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to make specified restrictions on disclosures of information respecting a consumer by credit reporting agencies applicable to independent authorization services. Defines such services as any persons who regularly engage in whole or in part in the practice of providing consumer credit information or other credit- related information on consumers to third persons, or guarantee the payment to payor banks of checks signed by consumers. Requires credit card issuers to maintain reasonable procedures to prevent disclosures of inaccurate information. Prohibits any credit reporting agency from making any consumer report respecting any consumer which contains information identifying any person to whom a previous consumer report respecting such consumer has been furnished. Requires a credit grantor to disclose, upon request, specified information to a consumer who is adversely affected by a credit decision. Sets forth procedures to be followed when a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in such consumer's file. Requires each commercial reporting service to maintain reasonable procedures designed to avoid the disclosure of inaccurate information to third persons and to assure that information maintained in its files is accurate. Sets standards to be followed by depository institutions with respect to the gathering of any information concerning a consumer, including disclosure to the consumer of all types of information which may be collected and all types of institutions which may collect such information. Requires a depository institution to inform the consumer whenever it makes an adverse decision respecting a depository service involving such consumer. Establishes safeguards for holders of insurance policies against errors of the insurance institution and violation of the privacy of such holders. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations requiring specified institutions to make disclosures to policy holders. Specifies which information shall be disclosed. Makes provisions for the enforcement of this title. Title VII: Tax Records - Confidentiality of Tax Records Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict or prohibit the disclosure of taxpayer return information in matters pertaining to: prospective jurors; State tax enforcement; investigations of prospective Federal appointees; child support enforcement efforts; and Federal enforcement of nontax laws. Title VIII: Educational Privacy Rights - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Amendments of 1979 - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to require educational agencies or institutions to adopt a written policy providing for protection of the privacy of personal information, including guidelines regarding: (1) access to student records; (2) the right to challenge such records and include clarifying material; (3) types of information that may be released with or without consent; (4) student and parental participation in formulating such privacy policies; and (5) enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1979
Voluntary Hospital Philanthropic Support Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States that philanthropic support for health care be encouraged and expanded. States that in determining the reasonable costs of services furnished by nonprofit hospitals under titles V (Maternal and Child Health), XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, gifts, grants and endowments shall not be deducted from any operating costs in determining such reasonable costs. Prohibits any State from establishing a law or regulation respecting the limitations upon the revenue of hospitals which treats as such revenues any income attributable to grants, gifts or endowments. Prohibits any Federal law which provides for the control of hospital costs to treat as revenues any amounts which a State may not treat as revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Defense Readiness and Mobilization Capability to investigate and report on defense readiness and mobilization capability, including an analysis of: (1) the kind and extent of threats to the national defense; and (2) the quality and quantity of manpower, material, transportation, budgetary, and programmatic resources needed at present, and able to be mobilized in the future. Sets forth the requirements for appointment to the joint select committee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
National Ski Patrol System Recognition Act of 1979 - Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to promote public safety in skiing.
![Official portrait of Rep. Goldwater, Barry, Jr. [R-CA-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000268_200.jpg)