United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all necessary steps to bring the Baltic States question before the United Nations and to urge the United Nations to request the Soviet Union to withdraw all non-native troops, agents, colonists, and controls from the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and to return all Baltic exiles from Siberia and from prisons and labor camps in the Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of State to do his utmost to bring the matter of the Baltic States to the attention of all nations by means of special radio programs and publications. Declares that the United States should not agree to the recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Directs the President to take steps to provide that all maps of Europe show the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent states. Calls for a return of self-determination to the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia through free elections conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Opportunities for Adoption Act - Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a Committee on Uniform Adoption Regulations. Directs such Committee to review current conditions, practices, and laws relating to adoption and to propose to the Secretary uniform adoption regulations. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for allocation to State agencies and to public and private nonprofit adoption agencies to assist such agencies in meeting the costs involved in the adoptive placement of children. Establishes a National Office of Adoption Information and Services. Requires the establishment of a national adoption data, tracking, and analysis system utilizing computers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the Attorney General should appoint a special prosecutor to serve in the Department of Justice to investigate and prepare prosecutions with respect to illegal acts to obtain influence for foreign governments from Federal elected or nonelected officials.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Prohibits discrimination by federally insured depository institutions in the making of mortgage loans on account of the geographical location of real property upon which such loans are secured.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Clayton Antitrust Act to entitle the United States, natural persons, and State attorney generals acting as parens patriae for persons residing within the State to bring civil actions under such Act for injury in fact, whether direct or indirect. States that this amendment shall apply to any civil action pending on June 9, 1977, or filed thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to qualify an individual who, although employable, is unable to care for his or her personal needs without assistance as a disabled person eligible for the services of a home health aide.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Protection of Personal Records Act - Prohibits Federal officers, employees, or agents from obtaining information which is contained in personal records maintained by a third-party recordkeeper. Defines the term "third-party recordkeeper" as any consumer reporting agency, creditor, financial institution, insurance institution or insurance support organization. Prohibits such recordkeepers from disclosing such information to a Federal officer, employee, or agent. Permits a Federal officer, employee, or agent to obtain information contained in personal records maintained by third-party recordkeepers, and permits such recordkeepers to disclose such information in the following cases: (1) when the person to whom the personal record relates expressly authorizes such disclosure; (2) when the Federal agent requiring such records obtains an administrative subpena in accordance with procedures set forth in this Act; (3) when such Federal agent has obtained a search warrant pursuant to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or applicable State law; or (4) when such Federal agent has obtained a judicial subpena. Prohibits the issuance of a search warrant, or of a judicial or administrative subpena, to obtain papers and effects of an individual which contain information of an intimate nature, including the business records of a sole practitioner, and which are in the possession of the individual or a third-party recordkeeper. Restricts the use by a Federal grand jury of information obtained from a personal record maintained by a third-party recordkeeper. States that personal information maintained by a third-party recordkeeper which is obtained in violation of the provisions of this Act may not be received in evidence in any trial or other proceeding before any court or other authority of the United States. Establishes civil remedies for individuals whose right to privacy under this Act is violated. Establishes criminal penalties for Federal officials who violate this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a credit grantor to disclose, upon request, specified information to a consumer who is adversely affected by a credit decision. Sets forth procedures to be followed when a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in such consumer's file. Requires each commercial reporting service to maintain reasonable procedures designed to avoid the disclosure of inaccurate information to third persons and to assure that information maintained in its files is accurate. Makes provisions for the enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Title I: Depository Services - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to set standards to be followed by depository institutions with respect to the gathering of any information concerning a consumer, including disclosure to the consumer of all types of information which may be collected and all types of institutions which may collect such information. Requires a depository institution to inform the consumer whenever it makes an adverse decision respecting a depository service involving such consumer. Makes provisions for the enforcement of this Act. Title II: Electronic Funds Transfer Services - Requires an electronic funds transfer service to destroy individually identifiable account information 45 days after the date of each transaction. Requires providers of such services to establish and maintain procedures enabling individuals to promptly correct inaccuracies in transactions or account records generated by the service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Civil Rights Amendments Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based of affectional or sexual preference in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; (4) federally assisted opportunities; (5) equal employment opportunities; (6) housing; and (7) educational programs receiving Federal assistance. Prohibits quotas, or determinations of discrimination based upon statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Privacy of Public Assistance and Social Services Records Act - Requires each State, as a condition for the receipt of Federal moneys for public assistance or social services programs, to provide for the privacy of records used in the administering of such programs. Subjects such State privacy laws to the certification of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as meeting the principles specified in this Act. Requires, in accordance with such principles, the provision of access to information by the subject of such information, the correction and accuracy of such information and the establishment of appropriate remedies and penalties for the enforcement of such statute.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to make specified restrictions on disclosures of information respecting a consumer by credit reporting agencies applicable to independent authorization services. Defines such services as any persons who regularly engage in whole or in part in the practice of providing consumer credit information or other credit- related information on consumers to third persons, or guarantee the payment to payor banks of checks signed by consumers. Requires credit care issuers to maintain reasonable procedures to prevent disclosures of inaccurate information. Prohibits any credit reporting agency from making any consumer report respecting any consumer which contains information identifying any person to whom a previous consumer report respecting such consumer has been furnished.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish safeguards for holders of insurance policies against errors of the insurance institution and violation of the privacy of such holders. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations requiring specified institutions to make disclosures to policy holders. Specifies which information shall be disclosed.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Prohibits any Federal department, establishment, or agency from using social security account numbers to identify accounts pertaining to individuals except where such use was occurring on January 1, 1977, and has not been discontinued or such use is specially authorized by a subsequent enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's Medicaid program and permit the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled: (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Civil Rights Amendments Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based of affectional or sexual preference in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; (4) federally assisted opportunities; (5) equal employment opportunities; (6) housing; and (7) educational programs receiving Federal assistance. Prohibits quotas, or determinations of discrimination based upon statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict or prohibit the disclosure of taxpayer return information in matters pertaining to prospective jurors; State tax enforcement; investigations of prospective Federal appointees; child support enforcement efforts; and Federal enforcement of nontax laws.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Privacy of Medical Information Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require each medical-care institution participating in the Medicaid or Medicare program to implement procedures which meet specific privacy protection requirements for the maintenance and disclosure of personal medical information. Requires medical-care institutions to afford an individual (or his designated representative) a reasonable opportunity to inspect his personal medical information file. Permits the parents or guardian of a minor child to inspect the file of such minor, except that portion of the file which relates to: (1) venereal diseases of the minor; (2) family planning services (including abortion) sought and received by such minor; (3) alcohol or drug abuse services; and (4) any other medical services sought by the minor without the prior approval of his parent or guardian. Requires that the individual seeking disclosure of his personal medical information file sign and date a written authorization which permits a medical-care institution to disclose specific information to specified persons for a specified period of time and requires further that such institution maintain a record of all such disclosures. Makes it the duty of medical-care institutions to maintain accurate, relevant, timely, and complete files and to grant to individuals the right to request changes in their files. Requires such institutions either to make the requested changes and notify the individual of the change or to supply the individual with the reasons why such changes were not made and with an opportunity to file a statement disagreeing with the institution's refusal. Prohibits an institution from refusing to make a requested change if such a change would make an individual's file accurate, relevant, timely, or complete. Requires medical care institutions to disclose to individuals with personal medical information on file the use to which such files may be put without their prior authorization. Permits disclosure of personal medical information files without authorization: (1) for consultation; (2) for compelling circumstances involving an individual's health and safety; (3) for audits, evaluations, and biomedical and epidemiological research; (4) to comply with public reporting statutes; (5) to supply admission and health status information; and (6) to comply with a lawful judicial or administrative subpena. Authorizes an officer or agent of the United States to obtain personal medical information files by judicial or administrative subpena if such subpena is authorized by law and identifies the information sought with reasonable particularity and if the information sought is maintained by the medical-care institution pursuant to a statute or regulation or constitutes material evidence in the prosecution of a violation of a Federal law. Allows an individual whose file is sought by subpena to challenge the issuance of the subpena. Excludes from evidence in a proceeding before any court or agency personal medical information obtained in violation of the provisions of this Act. Establishes civil remedies for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act and specifies criminal penalties for officials or employees of the Federal Government who disclose personal medical information in violation of this Act. Limits the transfer of personal medical information among agencies to that information which is necessary for the preparation of a proceeding brought to enforce a specific Federal statute. Includes within the definition of the Federal crime of mail fraud the procurement of medical information by false or fraudulent pretenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Requires, under the Privacy Act of 1974, Federal agencies maintaining records which identify persons to whom they pertain to disclose to such persons the actual uses and disclosures made of such records when access to such records is granted to such person under that Act. Specifies limitations on disclosures of such records to third parties, and on collection and maintenance of such information. Requires agencies to reconsider any determination which was made on the basis of erronous information which has been subsequently corrected.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Independent Living Programs for the Handicapped Act - Establishes the Office of Independent Living within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer grants to establish independent living centers for the disabled. Requires such centers to provide specified services including (1) counseling regarding attendant care; (2) health programs; (3) housing and transportation assistance; (4) independent living skills; and (5) legal and economic counseling. Authorizes to be appropriated funds for grants for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Establishes the Task Force on Independent Living within HEW to review the operations of such Office and of the centers. Directs the Task Force to report to the Congress not later than March 1, 1979 on the desirability of revising or extending the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Independent Living Programs for the Handicapped Act - Establishes the Office of Independent Living within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer grants to establish independent living centers for the disabled. Requires such centers to provide specified services including (1) counseling regarding attendant care; (2) health programs; (3) housing and transportation assistance; (4) independent living skills; and (5) legal and economic counseling. Authorizes to be appropriated funds for grants for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Establishes the Task Force on Independent Living within HEW to review the operations of such Office and of the centers. Directs the Task Force to report to the Congress not later than March 1, 1979 on the desirability of revising or extending the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Voting Rights for the Elderly and the Handicapped Act - Directs the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary for Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe standards for polling and registration facilities which will assure ready access by the handicapped and the aged. Permits designation of facilities for Federal elections which do not comply with such standards only where conforming facilities are unavailable. Requires States to provide alternative registration and voting methods for aged and handicapped persons assigned to inaccessible registration facilities or polling places. Requires that a paper ballot be made available or a voting assistant be permitted to a person unable to operate a voting machine.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Bikeway Transportation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for 80 percent of the cost to States and municipalities of bikeway construction projects in urbanized areas or connecting such areas with national, State, or local parks, seashores or recreational areas. Requires such bikeway projects to be in accordance with a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities and in accordance with construction standards established by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Requests the President (1) to transmit to the Congress and to Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe a report on human rights in Romania, and (2) to transmit such a report to Congress with each request of the President to extend the United States-Romanian trade agreement or to waive trade restrictions against countries which do not permit freedom of emigration. Requests the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to transmit to Congress a report on the freedom to emigrate from Romania and the status of minorities in Romania. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation status of Romania should be terminated if Romania continues to restrict the human rights of its citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Authorizes the head of any Federal agency to procure property or services for such agency from areas of high unemployment if such agency head determines that bids or offers will be obtained from a sufficient number of eligible concerns to assure that awards will be made at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Civil Rights Amendments Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based of affectional or sexual preference in: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) public education; (4) federally assisted opportunities; (5) equal employment opportunities; (6) housing; and (7) educational programs receiving Federal assistance. Prohibits quotas, or determinations of discrimination based upon statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should declare a moratorium on United States manufacture of chemical weapons (lethal and incapacitating nerve and mustard agents and "binary agents') and order the destruction of certain United States stockpiles of such weapons. Urges other nations to destroy their stockpiles. Urges the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to conclude a treaty banning the manufacture and possession of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Urban Grant University Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for, and establish a program of grants to, urban universities for (1) development of urban-oriented educational, research, or service programs; and (2) assistance in carrying out such programs. Establishes a five year comprehensive grant to a university qualifying as an "urban grant university" and establishes criteria for such designation. Creates an Urban University Advisory Council to (1) review, along with the Commissioner of Education, "urban grant university " applications; (2) advise the Commissioner; and (3) make recommendations to the President and to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Urban Trees Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants, on a matching basis, to the States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam in order to provide financial assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs. Defines "arboriculture" as the planting, growing, maintenance, and protection of trees and shrubs. Authorizes appropriations of up to $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out such grant program. Requires that grants under this Act be made in accordance with an urban arboriculture plan for the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees agreed upon in advance by the Secretary and the State forester or other appropriate official. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to urban areas for arboriculture programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Class Action Procedures Improvement Act - Disallows, in aggregating member claims for jurisdictional amount purposes in class actions, claims of class members which do not exceed $10. Specifies new notice procedures for class actions. Establishes, and sets forth procedures for, separate unfair practice class actions for consumer claims.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Freight Claims Settlement Act - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to require common carriers by railroad, specified transportation companies, motor carriers, and freight forwarders to acknowledge, in writing, receipt of a claim alleging loss or damage to property within 30 days after receipt of such a claim. Requires such carriers, within 120 days of receipt of such a claim to either: (1) pay such claim in full; (2) enter into an agreement with the claimant for settlement of such claim; (3) make a firm compromise offer in writing to the claimant; or (4) deny such claim in writing. Sets forth civil penalties on a per day basis for failure to meet such time limitations. Authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide identical income tax rates for single persons and married couples filing joint returns. Limits the earned income that must be reported by a married individual filing a separate return to the amount actually earned by that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Authorizes each Federal agency to award reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation in all rulemaking, ratemaking, licencing, and other proceedings which relate directly to the health, safety, civil rights, environment, and economic well-being of consumers in the marketplace. Permits such awards if the person participating in the agency proceeding represents an interest the representation of which contributes or can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to a fair determination of the proceeding, and the economic interest of the person in the outcome is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding or the person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the proceeding absent an award under this Act. Requires the agency to make a determination of eligibility under this Act prior to timely participation in the proceeding if at all possible. Requires payment of an award under this Act within 90 days after the date of final decision. Allows such agency to make advance payments to permit the persons to participate or to continue to participate in the proceeding. Makes such recipient liable for repayment of such advance if the agency determines that the person clearly has not provided the representation for which the payments were made or that the person has acted in an obdurate, dilatory, mendacious, or oppressive manner toward any other participant. Permits persons seeking judicial review of a Federal agency's action to recover attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of litigation from the United States if: (1) the plaintiff is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure; (2) the court determines that such action served an important public purpose; and (3) the economic interest of the person is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the action, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in the action absent an award under this section. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit to Congress an annual report on awards of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses against the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated (1) for awards to participants in agency proceedings under this Act, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980; and (2) for awards to persons seeking judicial review of agency actions under this Act, such sums as may be necessary to make such awards for actions brought prior to the end of fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver of such requirement is granted in accordance with conditions set forth in this Act. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Defense Production Act Amendments - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to prohibit any Federal contracting officer who by virtue of his position is authorized to solicit or select sources of supply, or describe requirements for, enter into, award, modify, terminate, administer, or make determinations or findings with respect to any or contract while so employed, from accepting compensation from any contractor without the written permission of the standards of conduct counselor for his employing agency. Prohibits such contracting officer from owning a controlling interest in any contractor who has been affected by action taken by such officer. Prohibits such contracting officer from accepting employment within two years following his employment with the United States from any contractor who was affected by the action of such officer taken by him or her within three years prior to the termination of his or her employment with such agency, and from accepting employment with such a contractor in a position which was created or subsidized by revenues realized through a Federal contract handled by such officer until five years after the termination of such officer's employment with such agency has been terminated. Prohibits contractors from offering to any such officer of any compensation such officer is prohibited from receiving under this Act. Establishes a Conflict of Interest Review Board to review compliance by contracting officers with this Act. States that the Board shall issue advisory opinions with respect to compensation offered to such contracting officer after notice is published in the Federal Register and interested parties have had an opportunity to present testimony relating to the issuance of such advisory opinion. States that reliance on such advisory opinion shall be a defense to a civil or criminal case brought under this Act. Requires meetings of the Board at which such advisory opinions will be considered to be open to the public. Authorizes the Board to issue rules to implement this Act. Requires the Board to report annually to Congress respecting its activities and recommendations of legislative or regulatory actions to promote high ethical standards for Government employees. Requires the following persons to file specified information with the Board: (1) former Government employees who were employed in any given fiscal year as a representative of a Government contractor in any action in which the United States was a party or in any transaction with the United States; and (2) any Federal employee who was previously employed by a Government contractor at a salary rate equal to or greater than that for positions in grade GS-13. Exempts specified persons from the filing requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Child Abuse Prevention Act - Prohibits the sexual exploit of children by making it unlawful for any individual to: (1) cause or permit a child to be photographed or filmed engaged in a sexual act prohibited under this Act; (2) photograph or film a prohibited sexual act; (3) knowingly transport any film or photograph depicting a prohibited sexual act; or (4) receive for sale or sell any such film or photograph, if such individual knows or should know such film or photograph has or may be transported in such a manner as to affect interstate or foreign commerce. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Right to Private Records Act - Prohibits any financial institution from disclosing to any State or to any subdivision of any State any financial record of a customer unless such customer has so authorized or a valid search warrant, subpena or summons has been obtained according to the terms of this Act. States that no officer, employee or agent of any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor or credit reporting agency holding any financial, toll, or credit record who is required by law to notify any law enforcement official or any political subdivision of any State of any criminal law violation which such person believes is being committed shall disclose any information except in accordance with this Act. Makes provisions for general or limited authorization of disclosure of any financial, toll, or credit record by means of a written statement containing specified information. Permits revocation of such authorization by written notification at any time, and otherwise limits to one year, any authorization to disclose. Prohibits any financial institution, communication common carrier, creditor, credit reporting agency or other person from requiring any person to make such authorization as a condition for doing business. Prescribes standards for the issuance of search warrants and judicial subpenas. Provides that a court may grant a subpena with a temporary delay of notification for a period of not greater than 90 days following the date of issuance if it finds, on the basis of an affidavit or sworn testimony, that it has been affirmatively demonstrated that such notification would jeopardize a continuing investigation of any crimes enumerated in this Act. Allows courts to enter ex parte orders granting an additional delay of such notification period not to exceed 180 days. Requires judges who grant or deny such delays to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts the particulars of such request. States that the Director of such office shall transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning the number of applications for extension of delay and the number of extensions granted or denied during the preceding calendar year. Grants standing to move to quash a subpena to any person to whom the financial, toll, or credit record ordered to be disclosed relates. Sets civil remedies available to persons injured by violations of this Act, including actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. Sets criminal penalties imposed on persons violating this Act. Prohibits any officer, employee, or agent of any person or government agency from intercepting, in the course of carrying out the business operations of such person or agency, oral or wire communications by or to any other officer, employee, or agent of such person or agency unless: (1) written notice is given; (2) such interceptions are for the purpose of training; (3) such interceptions occur only during the period specified in the notice required by this Act; (4) there is no recording of such communication; and (5) such person whose communication is intercepted has given written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1977
Directs that any alien who is a national of Chile and is not in the United States be issued a nonimmigrant visa and be admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant if the consular officer involved determines that such alien: (1) is being persecuted or is in danger of persecution in Chile on account of his political opinions; (2) is not otherwise excludable from the United States; and (3) has applied for such admission during the one year period following the enactment of this Act. States that admission under this Act shall be for a period of two years during which the aliens shall be allowed to accept employment. Directs the Attorney General to examine the case of the alien before the expiration of the two-year period and to grant permanent resident status to such eligible alien. Directs that any alien who: (1) is a national of Chile; (2) is in the United States on the date of enactment of this Act; and (3) would be persecuted or be in danger of persecution in Chile on account of his political opinions, be placed in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Requires that such alien be inspected and examined for admission into the United States according to the applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Regards such resident aliens, as lawfully if found to be admissible after such examination, admitted to the United States for permanent residence as of the date of their arrival. Allows the spouse, child, or parents of a national of Chile who has been admitted to the United States pursuant to this Act, to be issued a nonimmigrant visa, admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant, and treated as other aliens issued nonimmigrant visas under this Act. Declares that aliens who acquire permanent residence status under this Act shall not be charged against the quota of immigrants allotted to Chile under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Directs the Attorney General to inform any alien who is a national of Chile or the spouse, child, or parent of a national of Chile of the treatment which may be applied for under this Act before such alien is excluded from admission into or deported from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that should import relief actions taken by the President not provide limits on footwear imported into the United States which would maintain a viable domestic nonrubber footwear industry, then the House should disapprove the President's import relief action on nonrubber footwear of April 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Requests the President (1) to transmit to the Congress and to Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe a report on human rights in Romania, and (2) to transmit such a report to Congress with each request of the President to extend the United States-Romanian trade agreement or to waive trade restrictions against countries which do not permit freedom of emigration. Requests the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to transmit to Congress a report on the freedom to emigrate from Romania and the status of minorities in Romania. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation status of Romania should be terminated if Romania continues to restrict the human rights of its citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Requests the President (1) to transmit to the Congress and to Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe a report on human rights in Romania, and (2) to transmit such a report to Congress with each request of the President to extend the United States-Romanian trade agreement or to waive trade restrictions against countries which do not permit freedom of emigration. Requests the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to transmit to Congress a report on the freedom to emigrate from Romania and the status of minorities in Romania. Declares it the sense of the House of Representatives that the 1975 United States-Romanian Trade Agreement and the most-favored-nation status of Romania should be terminated if Romania continues to restrict the human rights of its citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the Clerk of the House of Representatives to withhold charitable contributions from the pay of House employees for transmittal to the Combined Federal Campaign, if the employee requests the Clerk to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1977
International Social Security Health Agreements Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the President to enter into agreements establishing reciprocal arrangements between the health insurance program established by such title and the program of any foreign country under which hospital, medical, and other health services are provided directly to entitled individuals or under which insurance is provided to meet all or part of the expenses of entitled individuals for health services. Requires that any such agreement specify: (1) the nature and extent of payment to be made to or on behalf of individuals entitled to benefits; (2) limitations on the nature and duration of health services and on entitlement of individuals to benefits on a reciprocal basis under an agreement in the United States and in the foreign country; and (3) the methods by which the cost of providing health services on a reciprocal basis shall be shared by the United States and the foreign country. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make rules and regulations and establish procedures which are reasonable and necessary to implement and administer any agreement which has been entered into in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into interim arrangements with any hospital in a foreign country which is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, or such other hospitals as the Secretary finds meet specified health and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in any United States district court for the relief of any institutionalized person whenever the Attorney General has cause to believe that the constitutional rights of such person are being violated pursuant to a pattern or practice of such violations. Requires the Attorney General to give the officials of such institution a reasonable time to correct such violation. Makes any person who causes such a violation liable for redress to the institutionalized person whose rights have been violated. Permits the issuance of an injunction or other preventive relief. Permits the court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing party. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in such private suits upon certification that the case is of general public importance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1977
States 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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Koch, Edward I. [D-NY-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000302_200.jpg)