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United States · Official source
226 records where Rep. LeFante, Joseph A. [D-NJ-14] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for occupational therapy services under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Defense Economic Adjustment and Recovery Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to make grants to units of local government whose economy is adversely affected by the closure or major realignment of a military base. Stipulates that such program shall be made through existing Federal programs. Requires that applications for such a grant shall include a comprehensive local economic recovery plan describing the plans of the local community to recover from the economic impact of such closure or realignment. Stipulates that the amount of funds available under this Act shall be equal to ten percent of the total projected savings to be realized by the Department of Defense in the first ten years following the closure or realignment of such a military base. Requires units of local government receiving financial assistance under this Act to submit a report to the Secretary concerning the local community's progress toward economic recovery. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Directs the Secretary of Defense to place a plaque and a permanent display of medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam era on the crypt at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, reserved for an unknown American serviceman who lost his life in Southeast Asia. Directs the Secretary to perform the duties required by this Act even though the remains of such serviceman have not yet been placed in the crypt.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Franchising Termination Practices 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 · 25 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Congress that the President direct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference to place the issue of the arrest, trial, and conviction of Mykola Rudenko and Oleska Tykhy before the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Consumer Representation and Reorganization Act - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch an Office of Consumer Representation to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the consent of the Senate. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress and the President by February 1 of each year a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Office during the preceding calendar year including a summary of consumer complaints received and actions taken thereon. States the functions of the Office, including to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this Act; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; (4) cooperate with State and local governments and private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; and (5) publish and distribute material to inform consumers and Congress of matters of interest to the consumer. Authorizes the Administrator, whenever the result of any Federal agency proceeding or activity may substantially affect an interest of consumers, to intervene as a party or otherwise participate in representing the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to receive, evaluate, develop, act on, and transmit complaints to the appropriate Federal or non-Federal entities concerning actions or practices which may be detrimental to the interests of consumers. Requires the Agency to maintain a public document room containing an up-to-date listing of all signed consumer complaints of any significance arranged in meaningful and useful categories together with annotations of Agency actions. Requires the Office to gather and disseminate to the public information concerning: (1) the functions and duties of the Office; (2) consumer products and services; (3) problems encountered by consumers; and (4) notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules, and other pertinent activities of Federal agencies. Directs the Office to encourage and support, through both public and private entities, the development and application of information on consumer products and services. Authorizes Federal agencies to perform, at the request of the Administrator, tests regarding products, services, or any matter affecting the interests of consumers. Authorizes each Federal agency, upon the written request of the Administrator, to furnish or allow access to all documents, papers, and records in its possession which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Requires every Federal agency, in considering any action which may substantially affect the interest of consumers, to notify the Agency of such action. Transfers to the Office of Consumer Representation the functions, funds, records, and property of other Federal offices the duties of which now fall within what this Act designates as the jurisdiction of the Office of Consumer Representation. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress functions performed by Federal programs which overlap, duplicate, or conflict with the functions performed by the office. Terminates the Office of Consumer Representation five years after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 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 · 20 October 1977
Long-Term Care Services Act - Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to authorize the establishment of an experimental program to provide in-home care for elderly individuals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to subsidize families who agree to care for their dependents who are 65 years of age or older and who would otherwise require, because of physical or mental infirmities, the services of a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, in their own homes. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for elderly day care center services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Directs the Secretary to institute a program under which qualified organizations, public and private, will submit plans for the development of carefully conceived and innovative projects to meet the special health care, housing, and related needs of elderly persons in a campus-type setting. Authorizes the Secretary to make interest subsidy payments to holders of mortgages covering such projects. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages secured by properties in projects built pursuant to this Act. Amends Title XVIII to provide payment for extended and intermediate care services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Amends Title XVIII to provide for the creation of an alternative reimbursement formula which will allow participating hospitals with less than 100 beds and less than 60 percent average occupancy to provide long-term care without applying proportional allocation of overhead costs to all patients in such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Authorizes a tax deduction, under the Internal Revenue Code, for any taxpayer who contributes the right to use any real property owned by the taxpayer to a tax-exempt organization for use by a multipurpose senior citizen center or outpatient geriatric clinic. Limits such deduction to 50 percent of the lesser of (1) the fair market rental value of such property or (2) the amount of State or local property taxes which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer and which are allocable to such property.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give special emphasis to insuring mortgages covering group practice facilities or medical practice facilities which are to be used primarily for the purpose of providing preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services to elderly outpatients. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act to entitle a grant recipient to an additional grant for the construction or maintenance of a senior center providing recreational, health, and nutritional services, regardless of whether such centers offer housing facilities. Directs the Secretary to prescribe eligibility requirements for block grants for senior centers. Redefines the term intermediate care facilities for purposes of the National Housing Act to include facilities that permit day health care services to the extent necessary to serve the needs of elderly persons served by the facility.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Nursing Home Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a deduction for amounts paid during the taxable year by the taxpayer for nursing home expenses for an individual if such individual is a dependent of the taxpayer in all respects except the receipt of at least half of his support from such taxpayer. Permits the payment of supplemental security income to residents in nonmedical shelter care facilities in any State if such State certifies that the residents are ambulatory, needing only minimum supervision, and that the amount of State supplementation is not less than $100 per resident per month. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to redefine the term "skilled nursing facility" to require that such facilities, in order to qualify under Title XVIII, provide the services set forth in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a review of State plans approved under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act at least once a year to determine each State's compliance with and the quality of the administration of its plan. Directs the Secretary to establish a rating system for nursing homes participating in the programs under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. States that whoever shall offer, solicit, receive, or accept any consideration as compensation or inducement for referring patients, clients, or customers to any person for purposes of Titles XVIII and XIX shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Requires nursing facilities to provide a program to insure the integrity of patients' accounts, moneys, or valuables and to insure that they are not mingled with those belonging to the facility. Specifies that the Secretary shall pay to the States an amount equal to 100 percent of the sums expended in the enactment of, conversion to, and enforcement of, new enforcement tools short of nursing home licensure revocation. Allows beneficiaries to bring suit for specific performance in any Federal district court without reference to the $10,000 jurisdictional amount. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to any nonprofit organization, church, or association of churches to meet all or a part of the cost of construction or rehabilitation of a home which will be owned and operated by such church, organization, or association. Authorizes the Secretary to make interest reduction payments under specified circumstances with respect to a mortgage covering repair or rehabilitation of a nursing home in order to correct physical deficiencies and comply with Federal minimum standards. Establishes a program of grants to any church, association of churches, or other nonprofit organization to meet all or part of the cost of planning, developing, constructing, or rehabilitating a nursing home owned by such entity in black and other minority areas where there is a demonstrated shortage of nursing home beds. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President submit to the Congress an action plan which would provide a suitable multiagency plan for dealing with nursing home abuses. Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Long-Term Care in 1978, in order to develop recommendations for action in establishing a national policy with respect to the needs of disabled Americans with primary emphasis on the physically and mentally impaired aged.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse. Directs such Clearinghouse to establish and maintain a computer system to gather information on services and benefits available to the elderly through public and private agencies. Directs the Clearinghouse to publish and keep current a publication describing services and benefits available to the elderly under Federal law. Creates in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Elderly Health, to perform specified duties, including the coordination of Department policy relating to the health of the elderly and coordination of the interagency task force on long-term home and institutional care of the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Repeals existing provisions for post-hospital home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Establishes, within the hospital insurance program of such Title, a program of long-term care benefits to be provided for aged and disabled individuals including all recipients of supplemental security income benefits and to be financed without additional cost to such individuals, through the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, from funds appropriated by the Federal Government. States that the benefits provided to an individual by such program shall consist of: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker services; (3) nutrition services; (4) long-term institutional care services; (5) day care and foster home services; and (6) community mental health center outpatient services. Requires that, to the maximum extent possible, such benefits shall be provided by or through community long-term care centers, as defined in this Act; and, in any case where a State has an agency which performs the functions of planning and developing such centers and overseeing their operation the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall make grants to the State or State agency to reimburse it for expenses incurred in the performance of such functions. Directs the Secretary to pay 75 percent of the amount expended by a State for the operation of a State long-term care agency. Enumerates the functions of such an agency. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual (i) who is eligible for benefits under this part, (ii) who resides in the area served by such center and (iii) who is certified as requiring such services; (2) evaluate and certify the long-term care needs of an individual for whom such care may be required in order to maintain such individual in an independent living arrangement which is reasonable given such individual's state of health and other circumstances (but not including such individual's economic circumstances); (3) maintain a continuous relationship with (and periodically evaluate not less than annually) each individual who is receiving any of the items and services listed in this Act; (4) provide full opportunity for such individual and his family to participate in the determinations and functions under this Act; (5) provide an organized system for making its existence and location known to all individuals in its service area who are eligible for benefits under this part, and for making known to such individuals the method or methods by which they may most efficiently obtain and use the services which it makes available; and (6) perform such other functions as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may by regulation prescribe in order to have such center most effectively carry out the purposes of this Act. Defines terms used in this Act, including the services to be provided by community long-term care centers. Directs the Secretary to develop and promulgate to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations setting forth the standards of care for homemaker and nutritional services. Establishes the Federal Advisory Council on Long-Term Care. Sets forth the qualifications of the five members of such Council. States that it shall be the duty and function of the Council to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary on regulations under this Act and on matters of general policy with respect to this Act. States that no regulations of the Secretary under this Act shall become effective unless they have first been approved by the Council. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Authorizes the appropriation to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of such sums as the Secretary considers necessary for any fiscal year for the purposes of the program created by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with institutions to meet the cost of training programs in the techniques and methods of providing long-term health care.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to reallot unused social services funds to States which will use such funds during the succeeding year in preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care, or other forms of less intensive care. Allocates additional Federal matching for multipurpose senior center programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to clarify and standardize the eligibility requirements applicable to the provision of assistance to multipurpose senior centers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Geriatric Health Personnel Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel) to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant $500,000 for each of six schools of medicine to assist in the establishment and operation of departments of geriatrics. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist schools of medicine in the establishment and operation of continuing education programs in geriatrics for physicians. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $5,000,000 for each of the next three fiscal years to enable the Secretary to make grants to schools of medicine to assist in developing and conducting training programs designed to prepare armed forces veterans, with appropriate experience as paramedical personnel, to serve as medical assistants in long-term health care facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit colleges and universities for the development of graduate programs for nurses in geriatrics and gerontology. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee who has testified before any congressional committee or any governmental agency or department.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Amends the Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act to permit the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and loans for the initial costs of establishing and operating home health agencies and for expansion of their services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to educational institutions and other public and nonprofit private entities for programs for the training of guidance counselors, social workers, nurses, geriatric specialists, and other home health services personnel. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for fiscal year 1977 for the purpose of making such grants. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within its medical coverage: (1) preventive health care, including an annual comprehensive physical examination of older individuals, and diagnostic services; (2) hearing aids, foot care, dental care, and vision aids (including hearing and vision examinations for older individuals); (3) care and services provided by outpatient clinics for the elderly; (4) nutritional counseling; (5) professional guidance and counseling for aged and disabled individuals living alone at home; (6) periodic chore services; and (7) hospital outreach services. Revises such Act to require State comprehensive medical plans to include provisions for intermediate care facility services. Charges the Professional Standards Review Organization with the same responsibility for review of health care services in the case of skilled nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and other long-term care providers as now required with respect to hospitals. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in funding specified demonstration and pilot projects to determine the effectiveness of various home health and supportive services. Permits the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to conduct annual health fairs through which individuals over age 60 would be provided free medical checkups. Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants to help meet the cost of establishing and operating private nonprofit entities to provide community care to persons over age 65. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to political subdivisions of States to enable them to establish and operate programs to provide mobile health facilities to persons over age 60. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that a minimum of $20,000,000 be obligated for grants and contracts for emergency medical services systems for the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the limit of 100 visits which applies to post-hospital home health services. Drops the requirement that the home health care provided be of the same kind as provided in prior hospitalization. Eliminates the requirement that a physician review the home health care plan and that the patient be under the care of a physician. Requires that such functions be done by the appropriate health professional under regulation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Extends Medicare coverage to include periodic chore services, hospital outreach services, nutritional counseling, health and supportive services furnished in elderly day care centers, and expansion of professional standard review organization review functions. Requires the Secretary to establish a review plan which is adapted to meet the non-institutional nature of home health services. Extends Medicare coverage only to those outpatient rehabilitation services which are certified by a physician as being required.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Appropriates $7,000,000 out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated as an additional amount for carrying out the home health services provisions of the Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act. Appropriates specified sums, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for making multipurpose senior center grants under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Older Americans Health Services Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to specify the amounts authorized to be appropriated in fiscal year 1978 for purposes of informational exchange on the subject of retraining programs for older Americans. Allows the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under such Act to cover the cost of administering and operating multipurpose senior centers. Declares the sense of Congress that any Federal legislation establishing a national health insurance program should include specified provisions relating to the availability of home health services for older persons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1977
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to certain cities or townships for construction of local public works projects. Sets forth limitations on the amount of such grants. Authorizes the appropriation of $196,927,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment civilian public employment and first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days of the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to also transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent, and only to the extent, that willing able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the Standing Committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require all hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities which participate in programs under Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of such Act to adopt and make public a statement of the rights and responsibilities of patients in the care of such facilities. Directs the Secretary to require that such statements establish specified guarantees including guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; (3) that the patient has the right to conjugal visits; (4) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records; (5) that the patient has the right to notice and a hearing before being transferred or discharged from a facility; and (6) that the patient has such other rights as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Secretary to require each facility to provide each patient and staff member with a copy of the statement of rights and the enforcement procedures and remedies available to patients, and requires further that each facility adopt a written plan for implementing such rights. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for processing patients complaints and for the enforcement of patients' rights. Requires appropriate State agencies to investigate patients' complaints and to file a written report within 20 days disposing of such complaints. Imposes a fine, not to exceed $500 for each violation, upon a facility found in violation of patients' rights. Allows a patient to bring an original action in U.S. district court to enforce guaranteed rights. Authorizes the Attorney General of any State or of the United States to bring an action in U.S. district court or State court to enforce payment of fines imposed upon facilities found in violation of patients' rights. Provides that damages awarded to patients shall not constitute income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility under Medicaid or any Federal or federally-assisted program which conditions eligibility upon income or resources.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to (1) make loans to certain cities and counties for the establishment and initial operating costs of clinics for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and (2) make grants for the establishment of courses to train paraprofessionals in the anaesthetising and spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Labor Reform Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to increase the size of the National Labor Relations Board to seven members and the terms of Board members to seven years. Revises Board quorum requirements to reflect such increased membership. Directs the Board to establish procedures pursuant to which a quorum of a designated three-member group may summarily affirm a decision of an administrative law judge regarding an alleged unfair labor practice. Revises criteria for organizations which may represent guards to allow designation of an organization which represents nonguard employees of other employers. Sets forth procedures for expedited selection of bargaining representatives where an employee, group of employees, or representative thereof files a petition stating that (1) a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit has designated a representative which the employer refuses to recognize and (2) there is no representative currently certified or recognized with respect to any employees in the bargaining unit. Denies for a three-year period, unless there is no alternative source, public contracts to persons willfully violating final orders regarding unfair labor practices. Specifies damages available to employees when (1) there is employer discrimination based on union membership resulting in deprivation of employment during certain periods or (2) there is an unlawful refusal to bargain prior to entry into a first bargaining contract.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
Amends the Panama Canal Zone Code to prescribe procedures preventing Presidential disposition of land within the zone without approval of both Houses of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require all hospitals skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, intermediate care facilities, and shared health facilities which participate in programs under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of such Act to adopt and make public a statement of the rights and responsibilities of patients in their care. Directs the Secretary to require that such statement establish specified guarantees including guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records; and (4) that the patient has the right to notice and a hearing before being transferred or discharged from a facility. Directs the Secretary to provide each facility, patient and staff member with a copy of the statement of rights and the enforcement procedures and remedies available to patients, and requires further that each facility adopt a written plan for implementing such rights. Establishes a procedure for the enforcement of patients' rights. Directs the Secretary to prescribe a schedule of statutory money damages for violations of such rights. Requires State agencies responsible for inspection and enforcement of Medicare and Medicaid programs to investigate patients' complaints and to file a written report within ten days disposing of such complaints. Imposes fines upon facilities found in violation of patients' rights payable to the patient or his heirs. Allows a patient or facility to bring an original action in U.S. district court to enforce rights. Awards costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Provides that damages awarded to patients shall not constitute income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility under Medicaid or any Federal or federally-assisted State program which conditions eligibility upon income or resources.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 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 · 15 September 1977
World War I Pension Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements, to the surviving spouse (who meets specified requirements), or, when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children (who meet specified requirements).
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1977
Small Business Economic Policy and Advocacy Reorganization Act - Title I: Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the following Associate Administrator positions within the Small Business Administration (SBA): (1) Associate Administrator for Minority Assistance; (2) Associate Administrator for Finance; (3) Associate Administrator for Procurement Assistance; (4) Associate Administrator for Advocacy and Economic Research and Analysis; (5) Associate Administrator for Investment. Establishes within the SBA the Division of Advocacy, Economic Research and Analysis. Sets forth the functions of the Associate Administrator in charge of such division, including the making of recommendations for policy and program improvements benefitting small business and the building of a comprehensive small business economic data base. Title II: Declaration of Small Business Investment Policy - Enunciates a national small business economic policy which requires the coordination of planning among Federal departments and agencies in order to propose incentives to help assure that small business needs are met through private sector investments. Title III: Small Business Economic Policy Report - Requires that the President annually assess the capital investment needs of small business and report such findings to Congress. Title IV: Small Business Economic Council - Creates the Small Business Economic Council, headed by the SBA Administrator, with the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, and the Chairmen of the Federal Reserve Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Council of Economic Advisers as members. States that the Council shall advise the President on the impact or Federal policies and programs on small business and work to maximize cooperation between the SBA and other Federal departments and agencies. Title V: Small Business Administrator - Raises the office of Small Business Administrator to executive level I. Title VI: Small Business Credit Information - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other specified bank regulatory agencies to disclose, through quarterly reports, the volume of commercial bank credit extended to commercial and industrial borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1977
Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to guarantee securities and obligations issued by a railroad in reorganization to State and local taxing authorities to secure the railroad's tax obligations when the Consolidated Rail Corporation, the United States Railway Association, or the Federal Government asserts a superior interest in payment out of the estate of such railroad during reorganization or liquidation proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. Directs the Secretary, if sufficient funds are unavailable to discharge such guarantees, to issue notes or other obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell such olbigations. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to discharge all of the Secretary of Transportation's obligations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to appoint temporary employees to make and administer disaster loans in the event of a disaster declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
National Oil Recycling Act - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the disposal of used oil produced by Federal Government activities and to encourage the recycling of used oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a program of public education on the recycling of used lubricating oil. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States which submit acceptable waste oil management plans in accordance with prescribed criteria. Imposes monetary limitations on the amount of such grants. Stipulates that this Act shall not preempt stricter State controls over recycled oil. Requires that automobile oil packaged for sale to consumers be sold in resalable containers with a mandatory 30-cent refund value for each container. Prohibits restrictive covenants designed to discourage the recycling of used oil. Imposes a fine of $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year for violations of such prohibition. Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to establish a program of research to improve the performance and marketability of recycled oil. Requires the development of performance standards and testing standards designed to compare the performance of recycled oil with new oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to submit annual reports to Congress containing information on the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the mandatory licensing of patent rights where necessary to accomplish this Act's purposes. Imposes criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 to carry out the various programs authorized by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Unemployment Compensation Reform Act - Title I: Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Program - Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Act - Entitles, under the Social Security Act, States whose rates of insured unemployment is at least six percent to partial reimbursement on an ascending sliding scale of unemployment compensation costs incurred above a certain amount. Title II: Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act - Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act - Replaces the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 with an extended unemployment benefit program which includes both regular extended benefits of up to 13 weeks and supplemental extended benefits of up to 13 additional weeks. Directs that benefits be made available when unemployment exceeds specified trigger levels which are similar to those used under present law. Revises the method for determining unemployment rates for the purpose of such triggers. Provides for 50 percent Federal funding of regular extended benefits and for full Federal funding of supplemental benefits. Title III: Financing Amendments for Unemployment Compensation Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to extend the payback period of a State having an outstanding balance of loans and to permit a State to pay as little as 20 percent of the outstanding balance in a year upon determining that the State is taking sufficient steps to restore the fiscal soundness of its trust fund. Waives any repayment requirement for States in which the insured unemployment rate exceeds a specified level. Restricts the penalty tax in a State which defaults to only insured employers and provides that the rate of such tax shall remain constant even if the outstanding balance owed is not entirely repaid.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to any taxpayer engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, or sale of any product for contributions to his product liability loss reserve account.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Department of Health Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Health, to be headed by a Secretary of Health appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Transfers to the Secretary all health functions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Redesignates such Department the "Department of Education and Welfare. Directs the National Council on Health Planning and Development: (1) to study the programs and activities of the Department and to submit to the President, the Secretary, and the Congress a comprehensive report on its study including recommendations; (2) to study the various health related programs of each Federal agency and to submit to the Congress an evaluation of such programs including a recommendation of programs which should be transferred to the Secretary; and (3) to study the current and future health needs of the United States and to submit to the President and the Congress a detailed national health plan for meeting current and future health needs. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress within two years from the effective date of this Act a proposed codification of all laws which contain functions transferred to the Secretary by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Older Americans Long-Term Care Act - Title I: Long-Term Care for the Elderly and the Disabled - Establishes a program of long-term comprehensive services for the elderly financed by the Federal Government and the States. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury a Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for such program. Requires a State to establish a State Long-Term Care Agency in order to receive funds under this Act. Requires such State agency to create within the State a system of Community Long-Term Care Centers. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the relationship between the program established by this Act and certain programs under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Requires that contracts for Army Corps of Engineers public works projects in high unemployment areas include a provision that at least 40 percent of persons employed thereunder be local workers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 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 · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba be predicated upon resolution of issues regarding violations of persons and property by the Cuban Government in 1959, use of Cuban military personnel beyond its borders, and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
National Domestic Development Bank Act - Establishes a National Domestic Development Bank to provide an alternative source of funds for community facilities and economic development. Outlines the special authority of the Bank to purchase obligations and make loans to finance construction, or reconstruction to energy efficient standards, of community facilities and public works. Provides for the establishment of a regional operating divisions of the Bank and for technical assistance in areas related to the Bank's activities. Provides for capitalization of the Bank and an audit report to Congress. Grants the Bank tax-exempt status, with specified limitations. Provides a partial tax exclusion for individuals for 50 percent of Bank dividends.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Chemical Emergency Response Team Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and maintain a Chemical Emergency Response Team within the Agency. Requires that the team be able to respond rapidly to situations where significant threats to health as the environment are posed by chemical substances. Directs the Administrator to develop a contingency plan detailing procedures to be utilized in prevention or mitigation of unreasonable risks posed by chemical substances. Establishes additional procedures governing the operation of the response team. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for the development of State contingency plans to prevent or reduce risks posed by chemical substance emergency situations. Details information to be included in State contingency plans.
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
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefit checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1977
Unemployment Compensation Cost Equalization Act - Entitles, under the Social Security Act, states whose rates of insured unemployment is at least six percent to partial reimbursement on an ascending sliding scale of unemployment compensation costs incurred above a certain amount.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1974, to increase to three the number of Lyndon Baines Johnson congressional interns which may be hired by each Member of the House of Representatives. Authorizes the payment of additional compensation to such interns from the clerk-hire allowance.