United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation in the Workplace Act of 1979 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Labor to publish within 60 days of enactment of this Act emergency temporary standards to protect employees from radio frequency industrial heating devices, to take effect immediately upon publication. Directs the Secretary to publish a proposed health and safety standards rule to protect employees from non-ionizing radiation (including radiation from radio frequency industrial heating devices) within 60 days from enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Limits the amount of outside earned income which may be received by any Member of Congress in any calendar year to 15 percent of his or her annual aggregate salary. Prohibits any Member of Congress from accepting any honorarium in excess of $1,000 in value for an appearance or speech made or article written by such Member while serving in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1979
Authorizes the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $25,000 for such purpose
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include displaced homemakers as a targeted group for whom the new employee credit is available. Defines "displaced homemaker" as an individual who: (1) has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but has provided unpaid services in the home for family members; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is unemployed or underemployed and has encountered difficulty in obtaining suitable employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1979
Objects to the waiver of the Congressional oversight provisions of the Arms Export Control Act by the President. Requests that the military assistance to Yemen be delayed to give Congress time to fulfill its oversight functions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1979
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to designate a Coordinator of programs to be responsible for: (1) the operation of a national clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information relating to domestic violence; (2) the development of a national media campaign to increase public awareness of the problems of domestic violence and the availability of services for its victims; and (3) making recommendations to Congress with respect to modification of Federal programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence and to assist the victims and their dependents. Stipulates that such funds may not be used for direct payment to any victim of domestic violence or to a dependent of such victim, and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed for anyone seeking services under this Act. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress and to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of such programs no later than three years after enactment. Requires that the records of any person subject to any program, project, or activity assisted under this Act be subjected to the confidentiality provisions of the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence and the provision of assistance to victims and their dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Refugee Act of 1979 - Title I: Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide a permanent and systematic procedure for the admission to this country of refugees of special concern to the United States, and to provide comprehensive and uniform provisions for temporary and transitional assistance to those refugees who are admitted. Title II: Admission of Refugees - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to define "refugee" as any person who is outside his country of nationality (or in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which he last habitually resided), and who is unable or unwilling to return to such country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Provides for up to 50,000 annual refugee admissions, with allocations to groups of refugees as determined by the President to be of special concern to the United States. Directs the President to report annually to the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate regarding the forseeable numbers of refugees in need of resettlement during the coming fiscal year, and the anticipated allocation of such refugee admissions. Authorizes the President to exceed such 50,000 admissions level if the President, at the beginning of a fiscal year and after consultation with such Committees, determines it to be in the national interest or for humanitarian purposes. Provides that allocation for such additional refugees shall be made in the same manner as for the first 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to admit such refugees as permanent residents without first being admitted conditionally. Exempts such admissions from meeting certain other immigrant requirements (labor certification, public charge, immigrant visa, literacy, and foreign physicians). Provides that up to 5,000 of such 50,000 refugee admission entries may be used to adjust the status of alien refugees presently in the United States to permanent resident status provided such person: (1) applies for the adjustment; (2) has been physically present in the United States for at least two years prior to such application; and (3) is a refugee not firmly resettled in any other foreign country. Exempts such persons from meeting other immigrant requirements (labor certification, public charge, immigrant visa, literacy, and foreign physicians). Permits spouses and children of refugees so adjusted to also have their status adjusted to the permanent resident without the two year U.S. residency requirement. Permits such adjusted status refugees, upon a satisfactory showing to the Attorney General, to have the date of their admission as a permanent resident operate retroactively (up to two years) to the date they became refugees in the United States. Permits such procedure for the spouse and children of such refugees. Authorizes the President, after consultation with the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate, to admit additional refugees in unforeseen emergency situations. States that such additional emergency refugee admissions will be allocated among groups or classes of refugees of special concern to the United States in accordance with a determination made by the President. Provides that such emergency refugees will be admitted conditionally. Permits the spouse and children of a refugee admitted for permanent residence or admitted conditionally under this Act to qualify for the same admission status as such refugee if not so entitled in their own right. Provides that the spouse or children will be charged against the same refugee admissions limitation as such refugee. Provides permanent resident status for any conditionally admitted refugee: (1) who has been present in the United States at least two years; (2) who has not acquired permanent resident status; and (3) whose conditional entry has not been terminated by the Attorney General. Provides that such permanent resident status shall be conferred without regard to certain other immigrant requirements (labor certification, public charge, immigrant visa literacy, and foreign physicians), and shall operate retroactively to the date of such alien's arrival in the United States. Provides for the exclusion of such conditionally admitted refugees who are found to be inadmissible as permanent residents. Permits any alien eligible for retroactive resident alien status under this Act who has already been granted such status under other provisions of such Act that do not provide for retroactivity, to have his or her admission for permanent resident status recorded as of the date of entry as a refugee into the United States. Title III: Temporary and Transitional Assistance to Refugees - Amends the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to authorize appropriations when necessary for: (1) public or private voluntary agencies to aid in the placement, resettlement, and care of refugees; (2) programs to aid adult refugees in securing employment; (3) State and local agencies for projects to provide special educational services to refugee children in elementary and secondary schools; (4) child welfare services for two years after the arrival of a refugee child, or in the case of a child who enters the United States accompanied by a parent or other close relative, until age 18; and (5) income maintenance and medical assistance during the first two years (except for Cuban refugees who entered the United States before October 1, 1978) following a refugee's arrival in the United States, except that if a refugee is eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Medicaid assistance, funds under this Act would only be used for the non-Federal share of such assistance. Increases the authorized level of the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund from $25,000,000 to $50,000,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Provides that this Act shall take effect as of October 1, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Dispute Resolution Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish in the Department of Justice the Dispute Resolution Program, including the Dispute Resolution Resource Center and the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board. Includes among the functions of the Center: (1) serving as an information clearinghouse for dispute resolution information; (2) providing technical assistance to State and local governments; (3) conducting research with respect to dispute resolution; (4) surveying existing dispute resolution mechanisms; and (5) identifying the types of minor civil disputes which are amenable to informal resolution. Directs the Board to advise the Attorney General with respect to this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide financial assistance to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations for improving existing dispute resolution mechanisms or establishing new mechanisms. Specifies the purposes for which such assistance may be used, including a prohibition against the use of such funds for attorneys' fees. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) enter into a contract for an independent study of the Dispute Resolution Program and make public and submit to Congress the results of such study by April 1, 1984; and (2) submit annually to Congress a report with respect to the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1979
Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1979 - Prohibits the sale of carbonated beverages in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the amount of the affixed refund value of brands of beverages bought and sold by such retailers or distributors. Prohibits States from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values established by this Act. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 for violation of the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that a consumer or retailer who files an appropriate action in State or Federal court shall be entitled to collect from a retailer or distributor who wrongly withholds prompt payment of the refund value of a beverage container under the provisions of this Act: (1) the amount of the refund value; (2) the amount of any damages resulting in failure to make payment; (3) court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees; and (4) $10.00 for each beverage container for which the retailer or distributor failed to make payment. Imposes civil fines on such retailer or distributor who fails to make payment. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and report to Congress on: (1) the rate of reuse and recycling of beverage containers; (2) any additional net costs incurred by retailers as a result of enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress annually on: (1) the impact of this Act on conservation, recycling of waste products, and the economy; and (2) the potential role of refundable beverage container redemption centers. Directs the Administrator to provide technical assistance and information to States, distributors, retailers, consumers, and to manufacturers of beverage containers as necessary to carry out this Act. Directs the Administrator to consult with the Secretary of Labor assisting individuals whose employment may be adversely affected by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1979, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over; (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1979
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to notify the Governor and other State officials, or the Tribal Council of any affected Indian tribe, of its intent to explore a site for a radioactive waste storage and disposal facility to be selected within such State or tribal lands. Directs the Chairman to establish a Federal and State Radioactive Materials Management Commission, upon the request of such Governor or Tribal Council, to allow for State or Tribal participation and to obtain concurrence with the Department of Energy regarding site selection and construction of such facilities. Prohibits any Federal agency from proceeding with any such project without resolution of any objections of a State or Tribal Council.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1979
Declares that the Senate should approve and the President should ratify the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
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 · 28 February 1979
Amends title VI of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to apply to Members of Congress the current provision requiring the Attorney General to conduct an investigation upon receipt of information that certain Government officials have committed a non-petty Federal criminal offense.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the specified dollar amounts from the appropriations authorized for the food stamp program for fiscal years 1979 through 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Social Security Refinancing Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the payment of hospital insurance benefits through general tax revenues, rather than through employment and self-employment tax revenues. Establishes new employment and self-employment tax rates for the purpose of financing the old age, survivors and disability insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should express disapproval to the Soviet Union concerning the nondelivery of mail to persons in the Soviet Union; and (2) U.S. Postal Service representatives should bring such violations to the attention of the Congress of the Universal Postal Union.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Franchise Reform Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is effecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1979
Title I: Meat Labeling and Inspection - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the labeling as imported of any imported meat or meat product which is capable of use as human food, or its container. Requires that such product: (1) meet the same health standards as domestically produced products; and (2) be tested in the exporting country. Requires periodic tests of such products in the United States by the Department of Agriculture as well. Requires certain eating establishments serving imported meat to inform customers of this fact.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Voluntary Job Preservation and Community Stabilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a continuing investigation to identify those industrial, business, agricultural, and service organizations which are in danger of ceasing operation or of outmigration and whose closing or relocation would result in substantial unemployment and economic dislocation in the community. Provides, through the Secretary, loans for technical assistance and startup and operating costs to an employee or employee/community corporation which meets certain requirements in order that it may assume ownership and operation of an organization so identified. Conditions loans upon, among other factors, certification that the corporation will allow new employees to participate and will adopt a method for acquisition of stock of persons no longer associated with the organization for the purpose of making it available to all employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes loans of up to $15,000 to an employee who wishes to purchase stock in a purchasing corporation and who is unable to secure financing elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow renters of their principal residence an income tax credit for 25 percent of their proportionate share of the State and local real property taxes imposed upon the property on which their residence is located. Stipulates that the amount of the allowable credit may not exceed the amount of rent paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1979
Declares the policy of the United States: (1) to renounce the first use of all nuclear weapons; and (2) to conclude treaties renouncing the first use of all nuclear weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the $75 limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the computation of household income for households composed entirely of persons who are age 65 or older, or who receive supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Federal Bicycle and Physical Fitness Facilities Act - Requires the head of each Federal department and agency to provide safe bicycle parking facilities at all buildings under the jurisdiction of such department or agency within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1979
Authorizes appropriations for the use by the Phelps-Stokes Fund for the acquisition of a monument to Doctor Ralph J. Bunche and its erection in United Nations Plaza Park in New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual who applies for supplemental security income benefits on the basis of disability shall be considered presumptively disabled if he has received disability insurance benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act or supplemental security income benefits as a disabled individual within five years of his most recent application for supplementary security income benefits. Provides that benefits paid to an individual who is considered presumptively disabled under this Act will be considered overpayments if such individual is ultimately determined not to be disabled in fact.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action when an individual is denied use of a public facility because of the individual's affectional or sexual orientation. Prohibits the discrimination on the basis of an individual's affectional or sexual orientation in Federally assisted programs, employment, or housing. Authorizes the Attorney General to intervene in actions charging such discrimination. Prescribes penalties for interfering with an individual's right to housing on the basis of the individual's affectional or sexual orientation. Prohibits: (1) the use of statistical differences in determining whether such discrimination exists; or (2) requiring quotas as a remedy .
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Victims of Crime Act of 1979- Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualifying State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. Requires that such programs: (1) offer compensation for personal injuries suffered as a result of qualifying State and Federal crimes; (2) offer compensation to surviving dependents of persons whose deaths resulted from such crimes; (3) grant claimants the right to a hearing; (4) require cooperation with law enforcement agencies as a condition for recovery; (5) do not require claimants to accept welfare benefits; and (6) require denial or reduction of a claim where the victim contributes to the injury suffered. Requires such States to have in effect laws which: (1) subrogate the State to any claim the victim or dependent has against the perpetrator to the extent of the amount compensated by the State; (2) provide emergency assistance; and (3) require law enforcement agencies to take reasonable care to inform victims of qualifying crimes of compensation programs. States that grants made under this Act shall total 25 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of State crimes designated by the State as appropriate for compensation under this program and 100 percent of the allowable compensation paid to victims and dependent survivors of victims of crimes which would constitute designated State crimes except for the fact that the crime is subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Sets forth specified expenses that may not be included in the State program's cost of paying compensation when determining the amount of the grant for which such program is eligible. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of this Act and the compensation of victims of crime. Directs the Attorney General to publish a report with respect to each qualifying State program, and the activities of the Attorney General in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that individuals receiving services under such title be provided with an estimate of the reasonable charge for each of the services involved prior to the receipt of such services. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and carry out pilot projects to test methods and procedures for determining reasonable charges for services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Victims of Crime Act of 1979 - Establishes a nine-member, part-time Advisory Committee on Victims of Crime to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of this Act and the compensation of victims of crime. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to qualified State programs for the compensation of victims of crime. States that such grants shall total: (1) 50 percent of the cost of such State programs with respect to any criminally punishable act or omission designated by the State as appropriate for compensation under this program; and (2) 100 percent of the cost of such State programs with respect to any act or omission which would constitute designated State crimes except for the fact that the crime is subject to exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Specifies criteria for a State plan to qualify under this Act, including that such plan: (1) offers compensation for personal injuries suffered as a result of certain State and Federal crimes; (2) offers compensation to surviving dependents of any person whose death resulted from being victim to such a crime; (3) grants claimants the right to a hearing; (4) requires cooperation with law enforcement agencies as a condition for recovery; (5) subrogates the State to any claim the victim or dependent has against the perpetrator to the extent of the amount compensated by the State; (6) does not require claimants to seek welfare benefits; (7) denies or reduces any claim where the victim or claimant contributed to the death or injury; (8) may require the criminal by State law or rule to make restitution to the victim; and (9) does not require that any person be apprehended or convicted of the crime giving rise to the claim. Permits States with programs not in compliance with this Act to remain eligible for grants under this Act until the day after the close of the first regular State legislative session that begins after the effective date of this Act. Sets forth specified expenses that may not be included in the State program's cost of paying compensation when determining the amount of the grant for which such program is eligible. Directs the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees with respect to each qualifying State program, and the activities of the Attorney General in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse State and local governments for providing special protection on a regular basis to foreign diplomatic missions or foreign officials in specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Tank Vessel Act, differentiating the minimum safety standards required for the design, construction, alteration, and repair of self-propelled and non-self-propelled vessels covered by such Act. Requires such non-self-propelled vessels to be equipped with full double hulls.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to require public notice by manufacturers of tire defects should he determine it necessary in the interest of motor vehicle safety. Stipulates under what conditions such notice may be required for any defects occurring before the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require certain former American citizens, in order to reacquire American citizenship, to: (1) submit an application; (2) submit an accompanying affidavit of intent to reside in the United States and declaring allegiance to the United States; and (3) pay reasonable administrative costs. Provides that an individual who reacquires American citizenship shall have the same status (native-born or naturalized) as he or she had before losing such citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Provides that a person who lost his American citizenship as a result of disapproval of or opposition to the United States' military involvement in Indochina shall have such citizenship restored upon petition to any district court by such person or his legal representative. Exempts such persons from a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act making persons ineligible for a visa and admission to the United States because of evasion of military service.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual may work without being considered as having engaged in substantial gainful activity, and thus forfeiting disability status, if such individual's earnings are at a rate that does not exceed the amount specified by this Act. Excludes from an individual's income, for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits under such title, an amount equal to the expenses which such individual incurs in earning income.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the National Housing Act to redefine the term "essential property insurance" to include homeowners insurance for purposes of the National Insurance Development Program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - States the purpose of this Act to be to provide advance planning for effective conversion of defense-related industries to productive civilian activity and to provide economic adjustment assistance to affected communities, industries, and workers which may be substantially and seriously affected by reductions in defense expenditures. Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes a Defense Economic Adjustment Council in the Executive Office of the President, membership to include Cabinet officers, representatives of the business-management community, and representatives of labor union organizations. Defines the duties of the Council, including: (1) encouraging preparation of plans for civilian-oriented public projects; (2) supervising the establishment of a Job Information Bank in the Department of Labor to coordinate State, local and Federal employment services; (3) preparing lists of organizations and consultants engaged in civilian-oriented activity for use by local conversion committees; and (4) preparing and distributing a Conversion Guidelines Handbook. Title II: Alternative Use Committees - Establishes local Alternative Use Committees to undertake economic conversion planning and preparation in the event of reductions in defense spending resulting in substantial and serious unemployment. Provides a fund for performing these duties to be derived from the military contract or base operating costs. Title III: Economic Adjustment Fund - Provides for establishment in the Treasury of a Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund. Requires defense contractors to pay to the Fund an amount equal to one and a quarter percent per year of their gross revenue. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Requires that all displacements in defense related facilities affecting more than five percent of the workers be reported to the State employment office or agency acting as agent for administration of employees' benefits programs. Provides eligible workers with two year entitlement to the following applicable benefits: (1) compensation on a weekly basis to maintain an income equal to 90 percent of the first $20,000 per year and 50 percent of the next $5,000 in excess of $20,000; (2) vested pension credit; (3) maintenance of hospital, surgical, medical, disability, and life insurance coverage; (4) retraining for civilian work; and (5) necessary relocation expenses. Requires all managerial and technical employees who have spent more than 50 percent of the ten years preceding implementation of the plan to participate in a professional retraining program in order to be eligible for benefits. Authorizes the Council to reimburse a State or administering agency (acting as agent of the Council) for all benefits paid. Title V: Use of Certain Research Funds - Amends the Defense Authorization Act of 1970 to expand kinds of independent research and development which can be funded in a defense contract to include projects which the Council believes have a potential relationship to an urgent national requirement in a designated non-defense sector. Title VI: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes the appropriation of sums which may be necessary to carry out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to make payments to local governments based on the amount of tax exempt public and foreign owned land within the boundaries of such governmental units.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act of 1979 - States the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) establish a Federal task force to ascertain the extent of the danger from asbestos materials in schools to children or employees; (2) require States to establish programs for asbestos inspection in schools; (3) provide scientific and technical assistance to States and local school boards; (4) provide loans for the mitigation of serious asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) assure that no disciplinary action be taken against employees for calling attention to such hazards. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish an Asbestos Hazards Schools Safety Task Force within 30 days of enactment. States that the duties of such Task Force shall include: (1) preparing educational materials; (2) compiling and disseminating medical, scientific, and technical materials to State and local entities; (3) reviewing and approving State plans for loans and reimbursements; (4) establishing criteria for levels of asbestos hazards in schools; and (5) making recommendations to the Secretary for technical assistance grants. Requires States to submit an asbestos safety plan no later than September 1, 1979. States that such plan shall include: (1) a timetable for identifying imminent asbestos health hazards; (2) a description of the procedures to be used to locate and identify such hazards; (3) a timetable for the removal of such hazards; (4) procedures for recordkeeping; and (5) the identification of a State agency to prepare and administer such plan. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Detection Fund in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires all companies engaged in the mining, manufacture, or importation of asbestos between 1946 and 1972 to make payments to such fund. Requires such companies to make available to the Secretary: (1) an audit of the amount of asbestos produced in the period 1946-1972; (2) a description of the products and their use; and (3) other information the Secretary may require. Authorizes the Secretary and the Attorney General of the United States to subpena such records. Provides that local governmental units responsible for the administration and safety of schools may be reimbursed for up to one half of their asbestos hazards detection expenses. Directs the Secretary to determine those costs that are reimbursable. Authorizes contributors to such funds, upon approval by the Secretary, to provide asbestos testing services in lieu of up to 50 percent of their financial contribution. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate up to 20 percent of such asbestos detection funds for use in education and technical assistance programs. Requires recipients of such asbestos detection funds to file a report with the Secretary describing detection and testing activities undertaken, the results, and the plan for correcting any discovered asbestos hazards. Establishes an Asbestos Hazards Control Loan Program in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Stipulates that loans from such program shall be: (1) available only to correct imminent asbestos hazards in schools to school children or school employees; (2) limited to projects covering more than 2,500 square feet; (3) for a period not exceeding 20 years; and (4) interest free. Requires applications for such loans to describe: (1) the nature of the asbestos problem; (2) the results of preliminary testing; and (3) the methods to be used to correct such problem. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate House and Senate committees regarding such loan program. Stipulates that the United States be subrogated to any legal rights to recover on any such loans. Prohibits any such loans to be made without such stipulation. Directs the Secretary to promulgate and distribute to the States safety standards and procedures for testing the level of asbestos in schools and for determining the likelihood of the leakage of asbestos into the school environment. Stipulates that no employer receiving funds under this Act shall discriminate against or discipline any worker who focuses public attention on an asbestos problem in his or her school district. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall restrict any other legal rights in connection with the purchase or installation of asbestos materials in schools, or with any claim or disability or death from exposure to asbestos in a school setting.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Foster Care and Adoption Reform Act of 1979 - Title I: Child-Welfare Services Program - Amends part B of title IV (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to: (1) revise procedures for the payment to States for child-welfare service programs; and (2) prohibit payment to any State for such programs unless that State has in effect an action plan to assure foster care protection. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A of title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) to require States receiving payments under part A to make adoption support payments. States that parents of adopted children are eligible for such payments while the adopted child is either under the age of 18, or is under the age of 21 and is a student.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1979
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for the acceptance by pharmacies of food stamps in exchange for food or food supplements prescribed for cancer patients.
![Official portrait of Rep. Holtzman, Elizabeth [D-NY-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000752_200.jpg)