United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Revises title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) to provide that an individual may simultaneously receive (without any reduction or offset) both an old-age or disability insurance benefit and a widow's or widower's insurance benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Stipulates that economic profitability to the employer cannot be the basis of a wage differential between the sexes if the Fair Labor Standards Act applies to the employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the officers of the House of Representatives to conduct seminars for freshmen Members of Congress. Provides for the curriculum and expense reimbursement for such seminars. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes each freshman member to employ an interim staff between election and the next regular session of Congress. Authorizes expenditures for stationary during such period. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Handgun Control Act - Makes it unlawful with specified exceptions, for any person to import, manufacture, sell, buy, transfer, receive, transport own, or possess any handgun or handgun ammunition. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with public safety and necessity, exempt from such prohibitions by licensed importers, manufacturers, or dealers, and by pistol clubs licensed under this Act as may in his judgment be required for the operation of such pistol club. Requires a pistol club desiring to be licensed under this Act to file an application for such license with the Secretary. Establishes a $25 annual fee for such license. Directs such clubs to meet various requirements in order to have their applications approved. Provides for administrative and judicial review in the case of a license denial or revocation by the Secretary. Provides that whoever violates any provision of this Act or knowingly makes any false statement or represenation with respect to the information required by the provisions of this Act to be kept in the records of a pistol club licensed under this Act, or in applying for any license under the provisions of this Act, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, and shall become eligible for parole as the Board of Parole shall determine. Provides that any handgun involved or used in, or intended to be used in, any violation of the provisions of this Act or chapter 44 (firearms legislation) of title 18, United States Code, or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, or any violation of any other criminal law of the United States, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Exempts from the provisions of this Act the importation, manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, or transportation of any handgun which the Secretary determines is: (1) being imported or manufactured for, sold, or transferred to, purchased, received, owned, possessed or transported by, or issued for the use of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or any State or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof; (2) a professional security guard service licensed by the State; or (3) a handgun manufactured prior to 1890, which is unserviceable, and intended for use as a curio, museum piece, or collectors' item. Establishes procedures for the reimbursement of a person who voluntarily delivers a handgun to a law enforcement agency. Directs the Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1091-1100).
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Removes the limitation on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the Commission on Civil Rights to study specified aspects of the local, State, and Federal criminal justice systems as they affect women, including: (1) any indications of discrimination against women in criminal sentencing or parole standards, or both (including evaluations of the various community release programs); (2) whether segregated custodial systems require the same or different rules for men and women prisoners; and (3) whether existing programs and facilities are adequate for women (and any consequent violations of equal protection).
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII (Medicare) and title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that qualified drugs requiring a physicians prescription or certification shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. States that the reasonable allowance for eligible drugs furnished an individual pursuant to any one prescription and purchased by such individual at any one time shall be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable prescription copayment obligation which shall be $1. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Provides that each Member of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands may hire not more than two additional employees who shall be known as John W. McCormack Senior Interns in honor of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. States that such interns may be hired for not more than two weeks during the period May 1 through May 31 of each year and shall serve within the District of Columbia. Stipulates that for this purpose each such Member, Resident Commissioner, or Delegate shall have available annually for payment of compensation to such interns a total allowance of $500, to be payable to such interns at a rate not to exceed $125 per week, out of the contingent fund of the House. Requires that no person shall be paid compensation as a John W. McCormack Senior Intern who does not have on file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, at all times during the period of employment as such intern, an appropriate certificate that such intern is sixty years of age or older and a resident of the district which the employing Member, Commissioner, or Delegate represents.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that except with respect to any member who was chairman of any standing committee of the House at any time during the Ninety-Fourth Congress, no member may serve as the chairman of the same standing committee for more than four Congresses.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Handgun Crime Control Act - States that it shall be unlawful for any person to import, manufacture, sell, buy, transfer, receive, or transport any handgun. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may exempt licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, purchasers, or transporters of handguns from the above provision if their efforts are in behalf of the United States Government. Authorizes also the exemption of licensed pistol clubs from such restrictions. Provides for the voluntary delivery of handguns to any law enforcement agency for disposition, and states that the transferor shall be entitled to a payment of $25 or the fair market value of the handgun, whichever is greater. Authorizes the Secretary to license pistol clubs conforming to specified minimal standards, including the maintenance of possession and control of the handguns used by its members. Imposes criminal penalties on persons who violate any provision or knowingly make any false statement of representation with respect to the information required to be kept in the records of a licensed pistol club or in applying for any license. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Automobile Fuel Consumption Tax Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to encourage the development and manufacture of passenger automobiles which are efficient in fuel consumption. Imposes, under the Internal Revenue Code, a tax on all passenger automobiles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer, at a graduated rate determined by the fuel consumption rate, in miles per gallon, of each such automobile. States that the taxable fuel consumption rate shall be the rate set forth in the Atuomobile Fuel Consumption Schedule specified in this Act. Imposes a floor stocks tax on new automobiles held by a dealer for sale. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to periodically study the fuel consumption rates of passenger automobiles and revise the Automobile Fuel Consumption Schedule. Requires that a label describing the fuel consumption rate and the amount of the fuel consumption tax must be affixed to all new cars sold.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Federal Conflict of Interest Act - Declares the purpose of the Act to be: (1) to circumscribe the Government activities of persons whose prior employment was with a regulated group; (2) to permit judicial enforcement by private persons of the provisions of this Act; and (3) to establish an independent mechanism for the purpose of monitoring the enforcement of existing conflict of interest statutes. Provides that no officer or employee in the executive branch of the Federal Government, whose rate of pay is equal to or greater than the rate established for level GS-16 in the General Schedule or who occupies a professional or technical position with duties of a nature that the employee could cause an economic advantage for or handicap against a special interest in the discharge of his official duties and responsibilities or who occupies a management, administrative, or investigative position, in either regulatory or management echelons, where his actions are likely to have a significant impact on special interest enterprises, shall: (1) participate in any Federal regulatory action or policy decision which involves any special interest in which such officer or employee had a substantial economic involvement any time during a period of two years prior to the commencement of the term of office or employment of such officer or employee; or (2) participate in any Federal regulatory action or policy decision involving any subject matter concerning which such officer or employee has been involved or participated personally for or represented a special interest any time during a period of ten years prior to the commencement of the term of office or employment of such officer or employee. Requires any such individual, within thirty days of the commencement of any Federal office or employment, to submit to the head of the agency or entity in connection with which such office or employment is held a detailed statement of such officer's or employee's former substantial economic involvement with any special interests. Requires such statement to include the dates and a comprehensive description of such substantial economic involvement, including all work done for such special interest in connection with the Federal Government. Makes it the duty of every officer and employee of the United States having the authority to do so to dismiss any other officer or employee who takes or holds office or employment in violation of this Act, and any person may by action in the nature of mandamus compel any office or employee of the United States to execute the duty imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act-Defines "lobbying" and other terms used in this Act. Requires each lobbyist, within 15 days of becoming a lobbyist, to file a notice of representation with the Federal Edection Commission. Sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice. Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities. Sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the commission containing such records. Requires GS-15 and above employees of the executive branch to maintain records of communucations received from outside parties expressing opinions or containing information with respect to the policy making process. Directs each executive agency to make such records available for public inspection. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the powers: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to question as the Commission may prescribe: and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including; (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act: (2) to develop forms for the filing of records of outside contacts by executive branch employees; and (3) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting, filing coding, and cross-indexing. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Child and Family Service Act - Title I: Child and Family Service Programs - Provides that the Secretary shall take all necessary action to coordinate child and family service programs under his jurisdiction and that, to this end, he shall establish and maintain within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Child and Family Services administered by a Director appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the Senate. Provides that such office shall assume the responsibility of the Office of Child Development and shall be the principal agency of the Department for the administration of this Act. Establishes a Child and Family Services Coordinating Council, consisting of the Director of the Office of Child and Family Services (who shall serve as chairperson), and representatives from the Federal agencies administering the Social Security Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and from the appropriate Federal agencies. Requires the Department of Labor, and other appropriate agencies, to meet on a regular basis, as they may deem necessary, in order to assure coordination of child and family service activities under their respective jurisdictions so as to assure maximum use of available resources through the prevention of duplication of activities; and to structure the activities related to the purposes of this Act. States that funds available for this title may be used (in accordance with approved applications and plans) for planning and developing child and family service programs; establishing, maintaining, and operating child and family service programs, which may include: (1) part-day or full-day child care programs, which provide educational, health, nutritional, and social services directed toward enabling participating children to attain their maximum potential; (2) other health, social, recreational, and educational programs designed to meet the special needs of children and families including before- and after- school and summer programs; (3) school services, and education, and consultation for parents, other family members functioning in the capacity of parents, youth, and prospective and expectant parents who request assistance in meeting the needs of their children; (4) social services to help families determine the appropriateness of child and family services and the possibility of alternative plans; (5) prenatal, post partum and other medical care, including services to expectant mothers who cannot afford such services, designed to help reduce handicapping conditions among the newborn; (6) programs designed to meet the special needs of ethnic groups and to meet the needs of all children to understand the history and cultural backgrounds of ethnic groups and the role of members of such groups in the histroy and cultural development of the Nation and the region in which they reside; (7) food and nutritional services; (8) diagnosis, identification, and treatment, and special activities designed to ameliorate physiological, mental, psychological, and emotional barriers to full participation in child and family service programs; (9) programs designed to extend child and family service gains (particularly parent participation) into the kindergarten and early primary grades, in cooperation with local educational agencies; (10) other such services and activities as the Secretary deems appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; (11) rental, lease or lease-purchase, mortgage amortization payments, renovation, acquisition and maintenance of necessary equipment and supplies, and to the extent authorized by this Act, construction or acquisition of facilities, including mobile facilities; (12) preservice and inservice education and training for professional and paraprofessional personnel, including parents and volunteers, especially education and training for career development and advancement; (13) staff and other administrative expenses of child and family service councils and of project policy committees established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and (14) dissemination of information in the functional language of those to be served to assure that parents are well informed of child and family service programs available to them and may participate in such programs. Provides that a State, locality, or combination of localities may be designated by the Secretary as a prime sponsor for the purpose of entering into arrangements to carry out programs under this title. Enumerates the requirements which must be met by States and localities submitting prime sponsorship applications. States that each prime sponsor shall establish and maintain a Child and Family Service Council of specified composition. States that such Council shall be responsible for approving child and family service plans, basic goal, policies, procedures, overall budget policies and project funding, and the selection or establishment and annual renewal of an administering agency or agencies and will be responsible for annual and ongoing evaluation of child and family service programs according to criteria established by the Secretary. States that financial assistance under this title may be provided by the Secretary for fiscal year 1976 and any subsequent fiscal year to a prime sponsor only pursuant to a child and family service plan which is submitted by such prime sponsor and approved by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this title. Specifies the elements to be contained in such plans, and the procedure including opportunity for airing of views with respect to such plan, for approval or disapproval of the plan. States that funds may be provided by the prime sponsor for carrying out any program under such prime sponsor's comprehensive child and family service plan only to a qualified public or private agency or organization, including but not limited to an educational agency or institution, a community action agency, single-purpose Headstart agency, community development corporation, parent cooperative, organization of migrant agricultural workers, organization of Indians, organization interested in child care, employer or business organization, labor union, or employee or labor management organization, or by any other public or private agency whose project application is approved by the Child and Family Service Council of the prime sponsorship. Provides for special grants to States for necessary expenses incident to the operation of programs authorized by this Act in such States, and, in addition to the conditions which must be met for such grants, requires that grants for construction or acquisition of facilities may be made only if such construction or acquisition is essential to the provision of adequate child care services. Title II: Standards And Evaluations - Provides that, within six months after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate a common set of program standards which shall be applicable to all programs providing child care services under this or any other Federal Act, to be known as the Federal Standards for Child Care. Provides that the Secretary shall, within sixty days of the enactment of this Act, appoint a Special Committee on Federal Standards for Child Care to participate in the development of Federal Standards for child care and modifications thereof. Provides for the development of a minimum code for child and family service facilities to be addressed to the health, safety, and physical comfort of the children participating in such programs. Title III: Facilities and Research for Child and Family Services Programs - States that it is the purpose of this title to assist and encourage the provision of urgently needed facilities for child care and comprehensive child services programs. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is authorized to insure any mortgage (including advances on such mortgage during construction) in accordance with the provisions of this title upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe and make commitments for insurance of such mortgage prior to the date of its execution or disbursement thereon. Provides that the mortgage shall be executed by a mortgagor approved by the Secretary, and that such mortgages shall involve in principal obligation of up to $250,000 and not to exceed 90 percent of the estimated replacement costs of properties or projects when the proposed improvements are completed. Creates a Child and Family Services Facility Insurance Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all the insurance provisions of this title, including mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, or other arrangements to carry out a program of research and demonstration projects, which shall include but not be limited to: (1) research to develop techniques to measure and evaluate child and family services, and to develop standards to evaluate professional and paraprofessional child and family service personnel; (2) research to test preschool programs emphasizing reading and reading readiness; (3) preventive medicine, techniques, and technology to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases and learning disabilities of pre-school children; (4) research to test alternative methods of providing child and family service; (5) evaluation of research findings and the development of these findings and the effective application thereof; (6) dissemination and application of research and development efforts and demonstration projects to early childhood education programs; (7) production of informational systems and other resources necessary to support the activities authorized by this Act; (8) developing methods of determining the needs of individual children in particular areas such as education, nutrition, and medical services, so as to permit the modification of programs to fit the needs of individual children; and (9) a study of the need on a nationwide basis for child and family services programs and of the resources, including personnel, which are available to meet this need. Title IV: Training of Personnel for Child and Family Services - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to or enter into contracts with institutions of higher education, State and local agencies, State and local educational agencies, private organizations and agencies engaged in teacher training, teacher training institutions, national child care organizations, and producers of television programing, for the purpose of establishing, developing, or upgrading early childhood personnel training programs to respond to the demonstrated need for child services personnel in the 1970's; and by stimulating the development of sufficient training and educational programs in every State and region of the United States to assure an adequate supply of personnel to meet staffing requirements. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1976, 1977 and 1978 to carry out this title. Title V: General Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides for nutrition services to be provided to child and family service programs under the National School Lunch Act of 1946 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Provides that the certificate of discharge issued to members of the armed forces may be characterized only as: (1) an Honorable Discharge, when separated from service, except where a lesser form of discharge certificate is expressly authorized under this Act; (2) a Discharge from Service; or (3) a Bad-Conduct Discharge or a Dishonorable Discharge, when issued according to an approved finding of a court-martial pursuant to this Act. Provides that a member of an armed force may be separated with a Discharge from Service as a result of: (1) an approved recommendation of a board of officers upon a finding based on preponderance of the evidence of record of misconduct, that the member's retention would not be clearly consistent with the interests of national security, or that the member's retention is not warranted for specified reasons; (2) resignation or request for discharge in lieu of board action or trial by court-martial, submitted after opportunity to consult counsel having the professional qualifications; and (3) absence without authority for one year. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to at any time convene a board of officers to review the record of any commissioned or warrant officer of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, as the case may be, to determine whether he shall be required, because his performance of duty has fallen below standards prescribed by the Secretary, to show cause for his retention on active duty or whether action should be taken to remove him from active duty because of misconduct, moral or professional dereliction, or because his retention is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security. Provides that Boards of Inquiry, each composed of three or more officers, shall be convened, at such places as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe, to receive evidence and make findings and recommendations whether an officer who is required to show cause for retention under this Act should be retained on active duty. Provides that Boards of Review, each composed of three or more officers shall be convened by the Secretary of the military department concerned, at such times as he may prescribe, to review the records of cases of regular commissioned or warrant officers recommended for removal by a Board of Inquiry.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Black Lung Benefit Act - Defines "total disability" under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act as having the meaning given it by regulation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, except that: (1) in the case of a living miner, such regulations shall provide that a miner shall be considered totally disabled when pneumoconiosis prevents him from engaging in gainful employment requiring the skills and abilities comparable to those of any employment in a mine or mines in which he previously engaged with some regularity and over a substantial period of time; (2) in the case of a deceased miner, such regulations shall provide that the fact that a miner was employed by a mine at the time of his death shall not be used as evidence that the miner was not totally disabled; and (3) such regulations shall not provide more restrictive criteria than those applicable under the Social Security Act. States that if a miner was employed for 15 years or more in one or more underground coal mines, there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that at the time of his dealth he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay benefits to all previous claimants who have become eligible for benefits as a result of the enactment of this Act. Requires that at least 5 members of the Advisory Committee on Coal Mine Health Research be miners or retired miners.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Specifies the composition of the board, including: four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress and the director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, revitalize and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years, with specified exceptions. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Librarian of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Center to carry out the provisions of this Act $167,750 for fiscal year 1976, $710,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $1,716,000 for fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under title II (Old Age, Survivor's, and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income; or (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance within 30 days to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Provides for a reduced (by 25 percent) retirement annuity for a Member of Congress (other than the Vice-President) who remains in office after becoming 70 years of age. States that the annuity of a surviving spouse or child is to be computed without regard to such reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Directs the President to provide to the House Committee on the Judiciary all the information in the possession of the White House and the Central Intelligence Agency relating to any of the following activities since January 1, 1960, engaged in by any person in the United States for the Central Intelligence Agency: (1) each instance of surreptitious entry, breaking and entering or burglary; (2) each instance of intercepting and opening of mail; (3) each instance of wiretapping or electronic surveillance, not pursuant to court order; (4) each instance of collecting information and maintaining files on a citizen of, or person residing in, the United States or on an association or group within the United States; and (5) each instance of a plan or attempt to do any of the acts enumerated above whether or not such plan or attempt was successfully carried out. Specifies the information required for each activity referred to.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Provides that no person shall manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce any nonreturnable container of glass, plastic, or metal or any combination thereof, with respect to which no reasonable refundable money deposit is required from the consumer for use in packing or marketing any beverage for human consumption. Provides that whoever violates this Act shall be fined not more than $1,000, or improsoned for not more than six months, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Dairy Import Sanitation Act - Provides for the inspection of imported dairy products in order to protect the public health and welfare. Requires that such products comply with minimum standards for sanitation established by the Secretary of Agriculture and that the dairy farms on which milk is produced and the plants in which such products are produced meet minimum standards of sanitation. States that such standards shall be comparable to the standards of purity, wholesomeness, and sanitation recommended by the Secretary for domestic dairy products. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the administration and supervision of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Provides hospital and medical care to members of the armed forces of Poland or Czechoslovakia who participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War I or World War II, and who have been citizens of the United States for not less than 10 years. Provides that such hospital and medical care shall be available to the same extent as if such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the provisions of the National School Lunch Act which require that the national average value of donated foods (or cash payments in lieu thereof), the special assistance factor for payments for free and reduced price lunches, and the national average rate for lunches and breakfasts served under the school lunch program and the school breakfast program shall reflect changes in the series of food away from home of the Consumer Price Index are necessary provisions of such Act which maintain the stability of the national school lunch and school breakfast programs in the current period of inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Grants automatic, general amnesty to any person who during the period of United States involvement in Indochina, violated the Military Selective Service Act or committed certain military crimes. Establishes an Amnesty Commission to grant general amnesty to individuals who violated Federal, State or local law in the course of protesting against United States involvement in Indochina and to review denials of honorable discharges. Authorizes the district courts to restore the United States citizenship of war resisters who renounced such citizenship. Grants jurisdiction to the district courts to hear actions brought to redress the deprivation of rights granted by the general amnesty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Provides that pension or annuity plans to qualify for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code shall provide for payments to the participant's survivor beginning on the earliest date that the participant could have collected annuity benefits under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the provision of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems by establishing a system of grants for teacher training, pilot and demonstration projects, and the development of comprehensive health education programs. Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1977; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, to carry out such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for the development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under this Act, including the application procedures. Directs the Commissioner, when requested, to render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
National Tay-Sachs Disease Screening and Counseling Act - Provides that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program, under the Public Health Service Act, for voluntary Tay-Sachs disease screening and counseling. Authorizes appropriations of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1976 for making grants to public and nonprofit entities to establish and operate such screening programs. Sets forth the procedure for applications for and administration of such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish to the House of Representatives, within ten days after the adoption of this resolution, specified information regarding: (1) reconnaissance flights since January, 1973, over North and South Vietnam; (2) the provision of reconnaissance information to the government of South Vietnam; (3) the number and classification of American personnel now employed in the maintenance or repair of military aircraft and other military equipment in South Vietnam; (4) the presence of American aircraft carriers now stationed within twelve miles off the shores of Southeast Asia; and (5) data involving United States involvement in Cambodia.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Indian Health Care Improvement Act - Declares that it is the policy of this Nation, in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligation to the American Indian people, to meet the national goal of providing the highest possible health status to Indians and to provide existing Indian health services with all resources necessary to effect that policy. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make scholarship grants to individuals: (1) who are enrolled in medical schools; schools of optometry, osteophathy, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, public health, or nursing, or schools licensed by a State to train persons in the allied health professions, and (2) who agree to provide their professional services to Indians after completion of their professional training. Establishes a priority according to which the Secretary shall award scholarship grants under this Act. States that any scholarship grant awarded to any individual under this Act shall be awarded under the condition that such individual will, after the completion of his professional training, provide his professional services to Indians for a reasonable period of time as prescribed by the Secretary. Sets forth a formula by which the United States shall be entitled to recover scholarship grants from individuals who fail to comply with such condition for the full period. Authorizes to be appropriated for this program: $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $16,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $22,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $34,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, and for each succeeding fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to continue to make such grants to individuals who (prior to July 1, 1980) have received such grants and who are eligible for such grants under this Act during such succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to make scholarship grants for a period not to exceed two academic years to Indians who: (1) have successfully completed their high school education; and (2) have demonstrated a capability to successfully complete a premedical, predental, or preosteopathy course of study. Authorizes to be appropriated for the above program: $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1977; and $3,000,000 for each of the next three fiscal years. Permits the Secretary to provide continuing education allowances to Indian Health Service physicians. Authorizes to be appropriated for such programs: $350,000 each year for fiscal years 1976 and 1977; $375,000 for fiscal year 1978, $390,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $410,000 for fiscal year 1980. Title II: Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to expend over a five-fiscal-year period $123,500,000, in addition to the annual appropriations required to continue the health service program to the Indian people, and to employ additional personnel for the purpose of eliminating backlogs in Indian health care services and to supply known, unmet medical, surgical, dental and other Indian health needs. Title III: Health Facilities - Authorizes the Secretary to expend $400,000,000 over a five-fiscal-year period for the purpose of eliminating inadequate, outdated, and otherwise unsatisfactory service hospitals, health centers, health stations, and other service facilities. Enables the Secretary to expend $470,000,000 within a five-fiscal-year period to supply unmet needs for safe water and sanitary waste disposal facilities in existing and new Indian homes and communities. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan, together with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to assure that the five-year schedule provided for in this Act will be met. Title IV: Access to Health Services - States that the service facilities used to provide health care and services to Indians are hereby deemed to be accredited facilities for the purposes of title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Title V: Access to Health Services for Urban Indians - Defines "Urban Indians", "Urban Indian organization" and "urban center" as used in this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations to provide Federal assistance to such organizations for the purpose of establishing and administering outreach programs to make urban Indians in the urban centers in which such organizations are situated knowledgeable of the health service resources available within such centers and the means of gaining access to those resources. Directs the Secretary to prescribe the criteria for selecting urban Indian organizations with which to contract pursuant to this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for this program: $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1977; and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Provides that, within six months after the end of fiscal year 1976, the Secretary shall review the above program and shall submit to the Congress his assessment of it and recommendations for any further legislation. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on progress made in effecting the purposes of this Act. States that within three months after the end of fiscal year 1979, the Secretary shall review the programs established or assisted under this Act and shall submit to the Congress his assessment and recommendations of additional programs or additional assistance necessary to, at a minimum provide health services to Indians, and insure a health status for Indians, which is at a parity with the health services available to, and the health status of, the general population. Provides that the funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall remain available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Emergency Homeowners' Relief Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to prevent widespread mortgage defaults and the distress-sale of homes as a result of adverse economic conditions. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make repayable emergency mortgage relief payments on behalf of distressed homeowners when he determines that such action is necessary and that there is a reasonable prospect that the homeowner will be able to make necessary adjustments for the full resumption of mortgage payments. Defines "distressed homeower" as one or more persons who own and occupy a dwelling as a principal residence and whose income has declined by more than 20 percent as the result of unemployment or other adverse economic conditions. Limits relief payments to a period not exceeding two years. Provides that payments be repaid on such terms as the Secretary prescribes. Empowers the Secretary to delegate any of his functions under this Act to other Federal agencies or private entities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a revolving fund for mortgage relief payments and other specified purposes, including payment of obligations issued to the Secretary of the Treasury to enable the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out his functions under this Act. Provides for a payment expiration date of July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Provides that the charge to a household for its food stamp allotment under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 shall not exceed the lesser of: (1) the level established as of January 1, 1975; or (2) 25 percent of the household's income. Provides that, effective July 1, 1975, households in which all members receive supplemental security income benefits under the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program of the Social Security Act, or households in which all members are included in a federally aided public assistance or general assistance grant shall be certified for participation in the food stamp program under this Act. States that certification of all other households shall be based on the uniform national standards for eligibility required to be established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Establishes in the House of Representatives the permanent Select Committee on Energy which shall not have legislative jurisdiction but which shall have jurisdiction to conduct investigations and studies of the development, application, use, and control of all forms of energy and power in order to establish a coordinated program for the development and control of all forms of such energy and power. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of each investigation together with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Food Allowance for Older Americans Act - Establishes, under the Social Security Act, a food allowance program under which qualified elderly persons shall be provided with an opportunity to obtain an adequate level of nutrition through the issuance to them, without charge or fee or condition of any kind, a food allowance of $50 for each month after December 1973 in the form of coupons that can be used only to purchase food from retail stores. States that an individual is eligible for a food allowance under this Act only if such individual is (1) sixty-five years of age or older, (2) the head of his or her own household, and (3) has an annual income which does not exceed $5,000. Provides for the issuance of coupons reduced in value to individuals whose annual income exceeds $5,000 by not more than $480 and who otherwise meet the conditions of eligibility. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Provides that the right of a citizen of the United States, who otherwise is qualified, to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because he has committed a criminal offense unless such citizen is imprisoned in a correctional institution or facility at the time of such election. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Establishes within the Treasury an Offender Rehabilitation Fund to be available to the Attorney General as a revolving fund to make loans to releasees not to exceed $150 for any releasee during any calendar month, up to $600 in aggregate for any releasee. Specifies the factors to be taken into account by the Attorney General in determining whether a releasee is in need of loan assistance under this Act. Stipulates that, if the Attorney General determines that it is in the best interest of the releasee not to have money provided directly to him, a loan may be in the form of the purchase of essential needs of the releasee. Specifies the terms and conditions of loans to be made under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, to remain available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to prohibit any interception of communication, other electronic surveillance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions, of any individual without a court order issued upon probable cause that a crime has been or is about to be committed, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Provides that whoever, being an officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof willfully: (1) searches any private dwelling used and occupied as a dwelling without a warrant directing such search or maliciously and without reasonable cause searches any other building or property without a search warrant; (2) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without a search warrant or the consent of the individual; (3) opens any foreign or domestic mail not directed to him without a search warrant directing such opening or without the consent of the sender or addressee of such mail; or (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized by law; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within 30 days after the date of an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire or oral communication (or each extension thereof) entered under authority of law, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the person seeking such order shall report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (4) the period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (5) the names of all parties to the intercepted communications; (6) the offense specified in the order or application; (7) the identity of the investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application to be made; (8) a copy of the court order authorizing, approving, or denying such interception; and (9) the nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were intercepted. Specifies that reports be made within 90 days after the date of an order approving the interception of a wire or oral communication on the disposition of all records of any such interception and the identity of and action taken by all individuals who had access to any such interception. Sets forth reporting requirements in the case of warrants issued authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Federal Correctional Ombudsman Act - Establishes an office of the United States Correctional Ombudsman. Provides that the Chief Ombudsman shall have the authority to investigate in such manner as he sees fit, either upon complaint or upon his own initiative, any administrative act of the Bureau of Prisons or the Board of Parole, pertaining to the treatment of any Federal prisoner or parolee, or the conditions in any Federal penal or correctional institution. Provides that if, after any investigation, the chief ombudsman finds that any administrative act is: (1) contrary to law; (2) unreasonable, unfair, oppresive, or unnecessarily discriminatory; (3) based on mistaken ascertainment of fact; (4) based on improper or irrelevant grounds; (5) performed in an inefficient manner; (6) unclear or inadequately explained when reasons should have been revealed; or (7) otherwise objectionable; he shall consult with the appropriate official or employee in order to make a satisfactory disposition of the matter. States that if the Chief Ombudsman believes that an administrative act has been dictated by laws whose results are unfair or otherwise objectionable, he shall notify the appropriate committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Provides that no information disclosed to any ombudsman or to any staff or employee of the Office in connection with an investigation under this Act shall be disclosed to any other person except to the extent the Chief Ombudsman determines necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Requires the Chief Ombudsman to report annually to the Congress on the operations of the Office.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Parole Reorganization Act - Establishes, as an independent entity in the Department of Justice, a United States Parole Commission, to consist of a national office and five regional offices. States that the Commission shall have the power to establish general policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations for the Commission, including rules with respect to the factors to be taken into account in determining whether or not a prisoner should be released on parole. Provides that the Commission shall meet not less frequently than quarterly to establish its general policies and rules. States that, whenever confined and serving a definite term or terms of over one hundred and eighty days, a prisoner shall be eligible for release on parole after serving one-third of such term or terms or after serving ten years of a life sentence or of a sentence over thirty years. Stipulates that a prisoner shall be released on parole if his record shows that he has substantially observed the rules of the institution in which he is confined on the date of his eligibility for parole, unless it is determined by an examining panel that he should not be released on such date for one or more of the following reasons: (1) there is a reasonable probability that such prisoner will not live and remain at liberty without violating any criminal law; (2) there is a reasonable probability that such release would be incompatible with the welfare of society; or (3) the prisoner's release on such date would so deprecate the seriousness of his crime as to undermine respect for the law. Requires the regional offices to hold a hearing in making a determination of whether to release a prisoner on parole. Sets forth the procedure to be followed in such hearings. Authorizes the regional Commissions to impose such conditions of parole as are deemed reasonably necessary to insure that the parolee will lead a law-abiding life or to assist him in doing so. Provides, with certain exceptions, that the jurisdiction of the Commission over the parolee shall terminate no later than the date of the expiration of the maximum term or terms for which he was sentenced. States that if the regional commissioner believes that any parolee has violated a condition of his parole, or that there is reason to terminate any parolee's assignment to a center or similar facility, he may order such parolee to appear before him or before a hearing examiner, or issue a warrant and retake the parolee as provided in this Act. Requires that a hearing be held on such a matter. Authorizes the courts to fix eligibility for parole at the time of sentencing of an individual. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to provide that any prisoner shall be eligible for release on parole if such prisoner is ineligible for such release under any other provision of law. Requires the Commission to report annually to each House of Congress on the activities of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
National Condominium and Tenants Rights Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of the Act, including to establish minimum national standards governing the sale, ownership, conversion to, and extension of credit for condominiums. States that no condominium housing loan shall be made: (1) to any developer unless the creditor received a written property statement containing specified names, address, legal descriptions, costs and assurances; or (2) to any prospective purchaser unless the same written property statement has been submitted to such purchaser 21 days prior to to any legally obligating document's execution. Provides similar protection for tenants in cases of condominium conversions. Prohibits discrimination against condominium-unit purchasers in the extension of credit on the basis of age, sex, marital status, religion, race, or national origin. Provides for the designation of an Assistant Secretary for Condominiums in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and enumerates the duties to be performed. Requires each creditor subject to the provisions of this Act to file an annual report with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development showing the extent of compliance with the provisions of this Act. Creates a civil remedy against creditors by persons discriminated against in violation of this Act. States that any developer or creditor who violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $15,000 for each violation. Empowers the Secretary to encourage and make grants to State and local governments to help establish offices to administer and enforce State and local requirements with respect to condominiums. Enumerates the requirements to be met by any plan for the protection of purchasers of condominium units and those displaced by conversion to such units prior to the making of any grant. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out such grants. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
States that every person, including a unit of government, who, under color of law, causes any inmate of a State or local correctional facility or jail to be deprived of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States shall be liable to the inmate in an action for redress, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order for preventive relief. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons, including a unit of government, is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment by an inmate of any rights guaranteed by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and that such denial of rights raises an issue of general public importance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Stipulates that no President may pardon himself for any offense against the United States. States that no pardon may be granted to any person who holds or held the office of Vice President or to any person who held the office of President, for any offense against the United States, except after conviction, nor shall such pardon be granted unless the President certifies to the Congress that he is satisfied that such person either is innocent of the charges of which that person was convicted or is suffering from a terminal illness, and the Congress concurs in the granting of the pardon by three-fourths vote of both Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the designation of 1975 as International Women's Year is welcomed and full support is expressed for the goals for the year as proclaimed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the United States; (2) cooperation in observance of the year is urged on the part of all concerned people, official and private, men and women, to insure that constructive measures are taken to advance the rights and responsibilities of women during 1975; and (3) a concerted effort should be made to insure that 1975 is a year for the launching of new programs and the forming of new attitudes toward the role of women.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Declares that for 90 days following enactment of this Act the President shall have no authority to adjust imports of petroleum or petroleum products under the Trade Expansion Act or any other Federal law. Provides that in the event of a declaration of war, an attack upon the United States, or other involvement in hostilities by the Armed Forces within the 90 day period, this provision shall not thereafter apply. Provides that any action taken by the President between January 15, 1975, and the date of enactment of this Act which results in the imposition of a duty tax or fee on petroleum or petroleum products shall cease to have effect on the date of enactment. Allows a rebate of any amount paid as a tax or fee on petroleum products which was imposed by the President after January 15, 1975, and before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide for the immediate and future protection and administration of public lands in the California desert within the framework of a program of multiple use, sustained yield, and maintenance of environmental quality. Establishes the California Desert Advisory Commission which shall consist of Federal and State representatives, representatives of the academic community, representatives of residents of the desert, and representatives of groups which make use of the desert and its resources for recreational, study, or business purposes. States that it shall be the function of the Commission to advise the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the program for the desert under this Act. Establishes the National Conservation Area of the California Desert to carry out the purposes of the Act. Gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for the preparation of a long-range program for the management, development, and use of the California Desert. Provides that such program shall include a plan, to be completed and reported to Congress within seven years from the date of enactment of this Act. Requires consultation with the Advisory Commission and with State organizations concerning such plan. Provides for an interim program to manage and protect the desert resources now in danger of destruction, and to provide for the public use of the desert. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire such lands or interests therein as he deems necessary to provide access to the facilities of the desert, and to facilitate efficient and beneficial management of the desert. Empowers the Secretary to issue such regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Provides that all mining carried out within the conservation area shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Secretary may prescribe to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that such regulations shall provide for such measures as may be reasonable to protect the scenic, scientific, and environmental values of the California Desert against undue impairment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Authorizes all unmarried individuals to use the same tax tables when computing their tax as are presently applicable to married individuals filing joint returns and to surviving spouses. Authorizes married individuals filing separately to use such table so long as such individual reports all income earned by him or her on the return.
![Official portrait of Rep. Holtzman, Elizabeth [D-NY-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000752_200.jpg)