United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Allows an individual under the Internal Revenue Code an income tax deduction equal to 50 percent of the travel deposit loss sustained by such taxpayer as a result of the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. Limits the amount of such deduction to $2,500.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Establishes the Public Debt Retirement Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Appropriates to such Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the crude oil windfall profit tax and the oil import fees imposed by the President under Proclamation 4744 on April 2, 1980. Requires the transfer of such amounts at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund. Limits the use of such Trust Fund amounts to the payment, purchase before maturity, or redemption of any obligations included in the public debt. Requires cancellation and retirement of all obligations so paid for, purchased, or redeemed. Repeals provisions of the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 which set up the Windfall Profit Tax Account in the Treasury and direct the allocation of amounts deposited therein.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the windfall profit tax: (1) independent producer oil; and (2) royalty interests attributable to ownership of the property from which such oil is produced.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Year-End Spending Control Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to apportion appropriations to Federal agencies in a manner which insures that no more than 20 percent of the total appropriations available to an agency in a fiscal year may be obligated during the last two months of that year. Authorizes the Director to waive such a spending limitation upon determining that it would seriously disrupt an agency program or operation, if the Director reports on such waiver to Congress before the agency violates such limitation. Requires the Director to report to Congress concerning: (1) the implementation of this Act; (2) violations of spending limitations; (3) the results and impacts of this Act including the effects upon procurement and apportionment processes; and (4) recommendations on continuing the spending limitations. Exempts reserves established to comply with a spending limitation under this Act from reporting requirements of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Directs an agency to consider an employee's compliance with agency rules and procedures applicable to year-end expenditure practices when: (1) evaluating the performance of a member of the Senior Executive Service; and (2) determining any pay increase for a supervisor or manager under the merit pay system.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability caused by exposure to a phenoxy herbicide (Agent Orange) for veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. Waives the one-year limitation on claims for compensation for such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Social Security Payroll Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers, employees, and self-employed individuals an income tax credit equal to ten percent of the amount of social security taxes paid by such individuals in 1981 or 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Expresses the sense of Congress that effective monitoring and enforcement of the export control measures taken in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan should receive highest priority. Requires any removal or relaxation of any such export control or any approval of licenses for exports to the Soviet Union to be reported to Congress. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report quarterly to Congress concerning the effectiveness of such export controls. Directs other Federal agencies to cooperate with the Department in the preparation of such report. Requires the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress to review such report with regard to the assessment of the economic effects of such controls on the Soviet Union and to provide an evaluation to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1980
Rescinds $229,000,000 in appropriations provided for the purchase of furniture by Federal agencies and departments in fiscal year 1980. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to allocate such rescission among the agencies and departments and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the allocation. Rescinds $15,000,000 in appropriations made to the Federal Buildings Fund for the rental of space in fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1980
Methane Transportation Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to designate an organizational entity within the Department of Energy to manage the methane vehicle research, development, and demonstration program established under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, or any other Federal agency, providing that such agencies conduct specified aspects of such program as the Secretary deems appropriate. States that the Secretary shall have responsibility to ascertain that such program includes activities to: (1) promote research on methane-fueled vehicles; (2) determine optimum overall specifications for such vehicles; (3) determine means and facilities for storing, transporting, and dispensing methane for use as vehicular fuel; (4) conduct demonstration projects with respect to the feasibility of such vehicles; (5) gather performance data on such vehicles and related methane transmission and storage facilities; (6) enter into arrangements to assure adequate continuous supplies of methane for use in the demonstrations assisted under this Act; (7) ascertain the need for modifying available methane-fueled vehicles in order to facilitate their use by fleet owners; and (8) report to the Congress on any changes in fuel supply patterns, tax policies, and manufacturing standards needed to facilitate the manufacture and use of such vehicles. Directs the Secretary to assure maximum coordination between Federal agencies and the Department of Energy in carrying out such program. Directs the Secretary to initiate and provide for research and development in areas relating to such vehicles. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations and to issue an initial report for proposals for technical and financial assistance to support public and private entities in developing and implementing demonstration projects to gather data on the operation of such vehicles and facilities for the transmission and storage of methane as a vehicular fuel. Sets forth the types of technical and finacial assistance to be provided under this Act, including grants and loans to cover specified percentages of the costs associated with the installation of methane transmission, storage, and dispensing facilities. Sets forth requirements as to the number and duration of such demonstrations. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Postmaster General, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Defense, and the heads of other Federal agencies to determine the practicability of using methane vehicles in the performance of agency functions and to arrange for appropriate use of such vehicles at the earliest practicable date. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on all activities undertaken under this Act to the Senate and the House of Representatives for referral to appropriate committees. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 thorugh 1985 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Exempts Shippers' Export Declarations from public disclosure unless the Secretary of Commerce determines that such exemption would be contrary to the national interest. Requires the person in command of a ship bound for a foreign port to attach bills of lading or equivalent documents to the manifest of the ship's cargo which is required to be submitted to the appropriate United States Customs Service officer to obtain clearance for the ship. Specifies the information to be included on such manifest or attached documents and the elements of such information which shall be available for public disclosure. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish procedures to provide access to the information which may be disclosed and protection for the information not available for disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1980
Uniform Relocation Assistance Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to require that relocation benefits, including relocation assistance advisory services, be made available to all persons displaced by the commencement of a Federal or federally-assisted project by the head of the Federal agency administering or financing such assistance. Increases the amount of payment for moving and dislocation allowances for displacement from dwellings, business, and farm operations. Stipulates that the additional housing payments for occupant-owned dwellings shall compensate such displaced person for any increased real property taxes which such person wil incur during the life of the mortgage on the replacement dwelling. Increases the amount of replacement housing payments for tenants and certain other persons to enable such displaced persons to rent or lease a dwelling or to make a downpayment on the purchase of a dwelling. Stipulates that the assurances required of the relocation assistance advisory services that housing will be available shall: (1) be made prior to Federal approval of a project; (2) be based upon careful analysis of the housing needs of the persons to be displaced and the availability of housing; and (3) include plans for housing replacement by the Federal agency as last resort if comparable replacement sale or rental housing is not available. Authorizes the agency head to use funds authorized for the project to provide such housing. Directs the President to designate an agency which shall establish a single uniform set of regulations and procedures for use by Federal agencies and by States, State and local agencies, and other recipients of Federal financial assistance. Requires such agency to assure the uniform application and interpretation of such regulations and procedures. Makes provisions for aggrieved persons to petition such agency for a hearing. Requires such agency annually to make adjustments for inflation in housing costs. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency administering or financing a project to offer to acquire property from any person owning property affected by such project who is left with an uneconomic remnant in order to entitle the owner and occupant to full benefits under this Act. Allows the owner of real property to give or donate all or part of such property to the Federal or State agency undertaking its acquisition. Requires the donation or gift to be voluntary and in writing after the owner has been fully informed of the right to receive just compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to correct the birthdates on naturalization certificates of individuals admitted as immigrants between December 22, 1945, and November 1, 1954, if such original misrepresentation was predicated upon a fear of persecution if repatriated rather than to evade the existing immigration quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1980
Credit Union Savers Relief Act of 1980 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to establish a maximum interest rate on loans to members of 12 percent per year inclusive of all finance charges. Authorizes the board of directors of each credit union to increase this rate to 15 percent in accordance with regulations promulgated by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Empowers the Board to increase the 15 percent maximum rate for a single, 18-month period if money market interest rates have risen over the preceding six months, and disintermediation threatening credit unions has occurred. Requires the Board to consult with the appropriate committees of the Congress, the Department of the Treasury, and the other Federal agencies regulating financial institutions before exercising such authority. States that required balances need not be considered when determining the interest rate on loans made by agent members of the National Credit Union Administration Central Liquidity Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1980
Interest Rate Equalization Act of 1980 - Title I: Interest Rate Amendments Regarding State Usury Ceilings on Certain Loans - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Housing Act, and the Federal Credit Union Act to permit federally insured banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and approved mortgagees under Federal mortgage insurance programs to charge interest at one percent in excess of the discount rate in effect in their Federal Reserve districts notwithstanding lower State usury ceilings. Penalizes the charging of interest in excess of such rate by forfeiture of the creditor's entire interest in the indebtedness. Terminates such preemption of State law on July 1, 1982. Amends the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958 to permit qualified small business investment companies to charge interest on business loans at a rate equal to the lower of the following, if such rate would be higher than an applicable State usury law: (1) the maximum rate prescribed by regulation of the Small Business Administration for loans made by any small business investment company determined without regard to any State rate incorporated by such regulation; or (2) the higher of the Federal Reserve discount rate plus one percent or the applicable State usury ceiling. Terminates such preemption of State law on July 1, 1982. Establishes penalties for the charging of interest in excess of such ceilings. Authorizes a small business company aggrieved by a violation of this Act to recover twice the amount of the interest paid on a usurious loan by bringing a civil action in an appropriate court. Title II: Applicability of State Usury Ceilings to Certain Obligations Issued by Banks and Affiliates - Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to preclude specified financial institutions from pleading or claiming with respect to any deposit or obligation of such institution any defense or right under any State law regulating interest rates. Suspends any penalty which would otherwise attach under any such State law. Stipulates that the provisions of this title shall apply only with respect to deposits made or obligations issued during the period beginning with the enactment of this Act and ending on July 1, 1982. Title III: General Provisions - States that this Act shall not affect the applicability of provisions of Federal law governing rates of interest on certain business and agricultural loans in excess of $25,000. Provides for the severability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Small Business Equal Access to Justice Act - Title I: Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy - Amends title II of the Small Business Investment Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Title II: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this Act: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this Act applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this Act six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Ambassador Kenneth Taylor in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of six American Embassy officials in Tehran. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be struck such gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Vietnam Era Veterans Agent Orange Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for certain diseases arising in Vietnam-era veterans (and for birth defects in their children) exposed to agent orange.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require that detailed minutes of Federal Open Market Committee meetings be released to the general public four years after the calendar year in which they occur. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to delete information from such minutes which concerns foreign countries, central banks of foreign countries, or international institutions in which foreign countries or foreign central banks constitute a majority of the membership. Directs the Board to: (1) note such deletions in the minutes of the meeting to which they relate; (2) review such deletions for publication 15 years after such meeting; and (3) publish such deletions no later than 30 years after such meeting. Directs the Board to publish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, all previously unreleased minutes of Open Market Committee Meetings held prior to April 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1979
Provides for an exemption from the windfall profits tax for independent oil producers for an amount equal to 1,000 barrels of crude oil multiplied by the number of days in the taxable period.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1979
Medicaid Community Care Act of 1980 - Authorizes a State with a plan approved under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to have Federal payments for home health care services, nursing services, home health aid services, medical equipment for use in the home, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology services, endiology services, adult day health services, respite care, short-term full-term nursing care, homemaker services, and nutrition counseling made at a higher rate the the rate for other care and services provided under the State plan. Specifies that the Federal medical assistance percentage for such services and the comprehensive assessments provided for in this Act shall be the lesser of: (1) the Federal medical assistance percentage determined under title XIX plus 25 percent; or (2) 90 percent of the cost of such services and assessments. Requires an application to be accompanied by a community care plan which: (1) provides for a comprehensive assessment of each individual eligible or applying for Medicaid who is likely to need long-term skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility services; (2) makes available, under title XIX, the care and services for which the higher Federal payment may be made to individuals determined pursuant to a comprehensive assessment to be in need of long-term facility services and for whom such assistance is a feasible alternative to long-term facility services; and (3) coordinates the services provided under this Act with similar services provided under the Older Americans Act of 1965, and under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress with respect to the program established under this Act. Permits a State, for the purposes of title XIX, to treat a noninstitutionalized individual the same as an individual who is in a long-term care facility if the noninstitutionalized individual meets the income and resources standards for long-term facility residents and has been determined, pursuant to an assessment under this Act, to need long-term facility services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1979
Amends the Act establishing the Big Thicket National Preserve in the State of Texas, by increasing the authorization of appropriations for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands from $63,812,000 to $88,592,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Title I: Limitation on Future Growth of Federal Spending and Tax Expenditures - Federal Spending and Tax Expenditure Control Act of 1979 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which sets forth a level of total budget outlays and total tax expenditures in excess of 28.5 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1981, 28 percent of the gross national product in fiscal year 1982, or 27.5 percent of the gross national product in any fiscal year thereafter. Establishes procedures to enable the President and the Congress to suspend such limitations on budget outlays and tax expenditures. Title II: Federal Credit Program Control - Federal Credit Program Control Act of 1979 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Requires the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committees in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimated allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to make grants to hospitals meeting specified requirements for their provision of health services during a one year period to individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid (title XIX of the Act), are not covered by insurance, and are otherwise unable to pay for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1979
Federal Privacy of Medical Information Act - States the purposes of this Act to be: (1) to establish procedures allowing patients to inspect and amend medical information about them; (2) to define the circumstances under which individually identifiable medical information may be disclosed with or without patient consent; and (3) to make it a crime to request or obtain medical information from medical care facilities under false pretenses. Title I: Privacy of Medical Information - Part A - Definitions, Effect on Other Law, and Rights of Minors and Incompetents - Defines "accounting", with regard to medical information disclosure, as the recording of the date, nature, and purpose of such disclosure; and the name and business address of the person to whom the disclosure was made. Defines "aggravated property destruction" as property damage (in excess of $500) causing a significant impairment of use. Defines "audit" as an evaluation relating to: (1) the applicability of legal, medical, fiscal, or scientific standards; (2) the licensing or certification of medical facilities or personnel; or (3) medical peer review. Defines "employee" to include students or faculty members of a school affiliated with a medical care facility. Defines "government authority" as any Federal, State, or local entity, officer, employee, or agent. Defines "health research project" as a biomedical, epidemiologic, or health services research or statistics project. Defines "institutional review board" as: (1) a board established in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare); (2) a similar board established under regulations of another Federal Government authority; or (3) a similar board which meets such requirements as the Secretary may specify. Defines "appropriate institutional review board" (with respect to a health research project intending to use medical information maintained by a researcher or facility) as: (1) the institutional review board for the organization sponsoring the project; (2) the institutional review board for the facility or researcher; (3) the institutional review board for another medical facility or institution which maintains medical information also intended to be used in the project; or (4) an institutional review board established or designated by the Secretary. Defines "medical information" as material that: (1) contains information relating to the health, examination, care, or treatment of a patient, or is to be added to such material under the provisions of this title; and (2) is in a form enabling the patient to be identified. Defines "law enforcement inquiry" as a lawful investigation or official inquiry into a violation or failure to comply with any criminal or civil statute, or related regulation, rule, or order. Defines "medical care facility" as: (1) a hospital or skilled nursing facility; (2) an intermediate care facility certified by a State agency for participation in a program under title XIX of the Social Security Act; (3) an intermediate care facility, outpatient clinic, or ambulatory care facility operated by a Federal Government authority; or (4) an outpatient clinic or ambulatory care facility receiving funds from a Federal Government authority under a grant or contract under the Public Health Service Act, title V of the Social Security Act, the Community Mental Health Centers Act, the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970, or the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972, if the clinic or facility is subject to the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that such term does not include any prison facility or any facility located outside the United States. Prohibits any State or local law from authorizing or compelling the disclosure of medical information protected under this Act. Sets forth the rights of incompetents and minors. Part B - Rights of Inspection, Correction, and Notice, and Authorized Disclosure - Requires medical care facilities to permit individuals to inspect and get copies of their medical records. States that the medical care facility may: (1) require a written request for the inspection and copying of such information; (2) not charge an inspection fee; and (3) charge a reasonable copying fee. Requires a medical facility to reply to such an information or copy request within 30 days. States that such a request may not be compiled with if: (1) inspection or copying of the information would, in the medical judgment of the facility, harm the patient; (2) the information concerns mental health treatment and the facility does not permit disclosure of such information without the patient's authorization, or only under compulsion of law; (3) the information concerns mental health treatment of an individual other than a patient; (4) the information is used for administrative purposes; or (5) the information is compiled in connection with a civil suit. Requires a written statement explaining the reasons for any such request denial to be provided by the facility to the patient (or designated representative). Sets forth procedures for a patient to correct or supplement such medical information. Requires a medical care facility to prepare a written notice of information practices describing: (1) disclosures that may be made without a patient's written authorization; and (2) related rights and procedures. Requires a facility to provide such information upon request, and to make reasonable efforts to inform patients of the existence and availability of such information. Prohibits a medical care facility from disclosing medical information: (1) to anyone other than a patient or designated representative, unless so authorized by the patient or otherwise permitted under this Act; and (2) to anyone not properly identified. Sets forth patient disclosure requirements, including: (1) particularity of information, recipient, and facility; and (2) written, dated, and signed (by the patient) authorization. Permits such authorization to be revoked or amended by the patient. Part C - Disclosure of Medical Information Without Specific Information - Authorizes a medical care facility to disclose patient information without authorization: (1) to aid a facility employee in the performance of his/her duties; (2) to a medical professional in connection with the care of a specific patient; (3) for admission and health status purposes; (4) for use in specified health research projects; (5) for purposes of specified audits; (6) to assist in the identification of a dead person; (7) to alleviate emergency circumstances affecting a person's health or safety, or involving imminent danger of aggravated property destruction; (8) pursuant to legal requirements concerning public health, child abuse, law enforcement, court-ordered examinations, or Federal medical facilities; (9) for specified Secret Service and foreign intelligence purposes (with a written certification specifying the information requested); (10) to the next of kin; (11) for specified law enforcement purposes (with a written certification specifying the information requested); (12) pursuant to a subpena, summons, warrant or search warrant; and (13) with regard to certain veterans' or uniformed services' benefits, or other specified Federal medical care facilities or services. States that medical information disclosed without patient authorization to a Federal grand jury shall: (1) be returnable on a date when the grand jury is in session; (2) be used only to decide to issue an indictment or report, or for prosecuting a crime for which such indictment has been issued, or for specified purposes the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; and (3) not be maintained by any government authority, other than in the sealed records of the grand jury, unless such information has been used in the prosecution of a crime for which the grand jury issued an indictment or for a specified purpose authorized by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Part D - Access Procedures, Challenge Rights, and Reporting - Prohibits a governmental authority from obtaining medical information about a person for use in a law enforcement inquiry pursuant to an administrative summons, subpena, or warrant, or a judicial summons or subpena unless: (1) reasonable grounds exist for believing such information to be relevant to the inquiry; (2) a copy of such summons or subpena has been served upon the person (or to his/her last known address), together with notice of such person's right to challenge such summons or notice; and (3) ten days have passed from the date of service, or 14 days from the date of mailing, and no such challenge has been initiated, or disclosure is ordered by a court. Requires a governmental authority that secures medical information about a person from a medical facility pursuant to a search warrant to serve a copy of the warrant upon such person within 45 days. Permits a governmental authority to delay notifying an individual regarding a summons or subpena if a court finds that: (1) the governmental inquiry is lawful; (2) reasonable grounds exist to believe that the medical information is relevant to such inquiry; (3) the government's need outweighs the individual's privacy interest; and (4) reasonable grounds exist to believe that notifying the individual will result in endangering someone's life or safety, flight from prosecution, destruction of evidence, or intimidation of witnesses. Authorizes an individual to challenge a governmental summons or subpena requesting medical information about such individual. Requires a court in weighing a governmental request against a patient's challenge to consider: (1) the purpose for which the medical information was gathered; (2) the degree to which disclosure injures or invades the patient's privacy; (3) the effect of disclosure upon the patient's future treatment; (4) the importance of the governmental inquiry, and the importance of the information to that inquiry; and (5) any other relevant factors. Places the burden on the individual to show that his/her privacy interest outweighs the governmental interest. Authorizes the court to assess attorney and related fees against the Federal authority if the challenging patient prevails. Sets forth access and challenge procedures for obtaining medical information pursuant to an administrative summons subpena, or warrant or a judicial summons, subpena, or search warrant. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States courts to include in his annual report to Congress information regarding the number of patient challenges and delays of notice sought by the government. Part E - Enforcement - Establishes criminal penalties of: (1) not more than $10,000 and/or six months imprisonment for falsely obtaining or requesting medical information; (2) not more than $30,000 and/or five years imprisonment for falsely obtaining or requesting, and intentionally selling, such information; and (3) not more than $30,000 and/or five years imprisonment for unlawfully taking such information and selling it. Authorizes an individual whose rights have been violated under this Act to maintain a civil suit against a governmental officer or employee, the governmental authority, or the medical care facility or personnel. Provides that United States district courts shall have jurisdiction in such actions. Authorizes in specified circumstances, the awarding of punitive damages and attorney and related fees. Directs the Secretary to publish a model notice of information practices describing the disclosures and rights of patients required to be included in the notices of information practices required by this Act. Title II: Amendment to Title 5, United States Code - Exempts medical information maintained by a medical care facility subject to title I of this Act from certain agency disclosure provisions. Title III: Transition and Effective Dates - States that the provisions of this Act shall: (1) continue to apply to medical information obtained by a medical care facility no longer in operation; and (2) become effective with regard to Federal medical care facilities on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1979
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the categories of deportable aliens foreign students who knowingly participated in a political demonstration resulting in, or intending to result in, injury or damage to another's person or property. Permits the Attorney General to suspend deportation of such foreign students.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Federal Reserve Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to increase the number of directors of each Federal Reserve Bank from nine to twelve by adding three additional directors to the class of directors designated from the public by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1979
Amends the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to erect a memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1979
Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from following any practice which would result in the denial of an application for the formation of a one-bank holding company solely because such a transaction involves a bank stock loan of 25 years or less.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should release Ida Nudel and allow her to emigrate to Israel. Urges the President to: (1) express U.S. opposition to the exile of Ida Nudel to Siberia; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will take into account the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law, particularly concerning human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1979
Elementary School Guidance and Counseling Incentive Act of 1979 - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for State allotments for comprehensive elementary school guidance and counseling programs, supplemental grants to States for elementary school guidance and counseling, and grants for demonstration and evaluation programs. Provides formulas for such State allotments, based on the population of elementary school children, with minimum required amounts. Directs the Commissioner of Education to administer State allotments and State plans through the Office of Guidance and Counseling of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires that each State, to be eligible for such allotments, submit to the Commissioner a State plan for providing comprehensive elementary school guidance and counseling programs for a five-year period, with necessary annual revisions, which meets such criteria as the Commissioner may by regulation prescribe. Sets forth required provisions of such plans and programs. Provides for appeal by a State of a final action of the Commissioner to a circuit court of appeals. Authorizes the Commissioner, through the Office of Guidance and Counseling, to make grants to States with approved plans for distribution to local educational agencies and for support of States with approved plans for distribution to local educational agencies and for support of State agency leadership activities on the basis of statewide needs and priorities in elementary school guidance and counseling. Sets forth approved uses of such grants. Directs the Commissioner, through the Office of Guidance and Counseling, to carry out a program of demonstration and evaluation relating to elementary school guidance and counseling. Sets forth approved types of demonstration and evaluation projects. Requires the Office of Guidance and Counseling to collect, analyze, prepare, and disseminate information related to the provision of guidance and counseling services to elementary school-age children. Requires specified State and local educational agencies to designate supervisors of elementary guidance services or programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1979
National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act - Establishes the National Afro-American History and Culture Commission which shall: (1) be responsible for the development of a definitive plan for the construction and operation of the National Center for Afro-American History and Culture; and (2) solicit subscriptions of funds from private sources to help meet costs of the construction, furnishing, and operation of the center, including the costs of acquiring works of art and artifacts. Allows the Commission to: (1) acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, transfer from any Federal or State agency, exchange, or otherwise acquire suitable land and interest in land in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the location of the headquarters of the center; (2) acquire appropriate works of art and any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the center; and (3) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired and designate any proceeds from such disposal for the benefit of the center. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation or purchase with donated or appropriated funds the Colonel Charles Young Home and adjacent lands in Wilberforce, Ohio, not to exceed 80 acres, which when acquired shall be known as the Wilberforce National Historic Site.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax exclusion from personal income earned abroad by an individual performing qualified charitable services for a tax-exempt employer created or organized in the United States. Limits such exclusion to an amount not to exceed a figure computed on a daily basis at an annual rate of $20,000. Sets a formula for the maximum amount of exclusion for an individual who performs such charitable services and also performs other services while residing in a camp located in a hardship area.