United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Space Technology for the Elderly Act - Establishes a program within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop devices and strategies to meet the special needs and alleviate the suffering of the elderly by the use of innovative technologies derived from NASA's space and energy research and development. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Directs the Administrator of NASA: (1) to administer this Act; (2) to report to Congress; and (3) to publish a catalog of such devices and strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1979
Taxpayer Relief Amendments to Panama Treaty Legislation - Specifies that all expenses incurred implementing the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 shall be treated as an expense of the Panama Canal Commission. Prohibits payments to Panama out of U.S. Treasury revenues. Requires the Panama Canal Company to pay its cash assets to the U.S. Treasury to be applied against its debt. Directs the Commission to continue repaying its debt to the United States. Amends the Panama Canal Code to require the Commission to pay: (1) all canal operating revenues to the U.S. Treasury; and (2) the payments required under the Treaty to Panama only with express congressional authorization. Directs the General Accounting Office to monitor all costs incurred by the Commission and report annually to Congress on the differences in costs to the U.S. taxpayer. Prohibits unless expressly authorized by Congress: (1) the use of U.S. funds to implement the Treaty; (2) the transfer of U.S. property in the Canal Zone to Panama; and (3) the cessation of the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers who do not itemize income tax deductions to claim a deduction from gross income for charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1979
Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to require financial institutions to notify only active customers, rather than all customers, of their rights regarding disclosure of financial records to Government authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the executor of an estate, in calculating the value of the gross estate, to disregard that portion of the value of any copyright, or literary, musical, or artistic work created by the decedent which would not have been capital gain if such work had been sold by the decedent at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Title I: Improvements in Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Labor to reconsider any denial of adjustment assistance for workers separated from employment up to 18 months before a petition for such assistance was granted. Authorizes workers separated from employment between October 31, 1974, and November 1, 1977, who previously did not file a petition for certification of eligibility for adjustment assistance, to file such a petition for consideration by the Secretary. Authorizes the filing of such petitions by the Secretary on behalf of any group of workers, as well as by a group of workers or their representative. Requires the Secretary to certify a group of workers as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance if: (1) sales or production at their place of employment decrease or threaten to decrease due to increased imports; or (2) (a) at least 25 percent of the total sales or production of their firm consists of providing articles or services to an import-impacted firm, and (b) a significant number of workers have been or may be separated due to a decrease or threatened decrease of sales or production of articles or services for such an import-impacted firm. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide information to the Secretary of Commerce regarding petitions for adjustment assistance filed by workers when the workers' firm has also filed for such assistance. Stipulates that no adjustment assistance shall be provided a worker until sales or production at the worker's firm have decreased absolutely. Provides for trade readjustment allowances to be made to workers who: (1) had been employed at least 26 weeks in the year prior to separation or 40 weeks in the two years prior to separation; and (2) were part of a group certified as eligible for such assistance. Extends the time during which certain workers can continue to receive readjustment allowances. Directs the Secretary to establish experimental training programs for workers displaced by import competition. Requires the Secretary to report with recommendations to Congress by March 1, 1982, concerning the effectiveness of such training programs. Authorizes appropriations for such programs through fiscal year 1981. Increases the job search allowances and relocation allowances provided adversely affected workers. Revises the conditions for such allowances. Title II: Improvements in Adjustment Assistance to Firms - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to certify firms, whose sales or production decrease or threaten to decrease due to increased imports, as eligible for adjustment assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to certify as eligible for such assistance those firms where at least 25 percent of their sales go to an import-impacted firm and significant numbers of workers have been or may be separated due to a decrease or threatened decrease of sales or production of articles or services for such an import-impacted firm. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to share information provided by firms petitioning for certification with the Secretary of Labor. Prohibits any assistance to firms until sales or production have decreased absolutely. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide technical assistance to firms preparing proposals for adjustment assistance. Increases the proportion of the cost the Secretary will bear for technical assistance furnished to firms through private individuals, firms, or institutions. Authorizes the Secretary to contract to pay to, or on behalf of, a borrower an amount to reduce the interest such borrower must pay on financial assistance loans guaranteed pursuant to this Act. Revises the conditions for financial assistance to adversely affected firms. Title III: General Provisions - Establishes a Commerce-Labor Adjustment Action Committee to coordinate the economic adjustment responsibilities of the Departments of Commerce and Labor and other Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to unions and employee organizations concerning the design of an effective program of trade adjustment assistance for workers. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make grants for industry-wide programs designed to improve economic efficiency; and (2) study those industries threatened by import competition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax credit for 25 percent of the tuition paid for the elementary, secondary, college, or post-secondary vocational education of the taxpayer, his spouse, or any of his dependents. Sets forth maximum dollar amounts allowable as a credit for calendar years 1979 through 1982, after which the credit expires. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar year 1979 only if such payments are made on or after August 1, 1979, and before February 1, 1980, for education furnished on or after August 1, 1979, and before January 1, 1980. Treats tuition payments as paid for calendar years 1980 and thereafter only if such payments are made during the particular calendar year or within one month of the beginning or close of such calendar year for education furnished during that year. Defines full-time and qualified half-time student. Excludes from the definition of "tuition" any amounts paid for books, supplies, equipment for coursework, meals, lodging, transportation, or similar personal expenses. Forbids any construction of this Act as granting the Government additional authority to examine the books or activities of any church school except to the extent necessary to determine whether such school is an eligible educational institution within the meaning of this Act. Provides for the immediate certification of any judicial action brought in a United States district court concerning the constitutionality of this Act to the appropriate circuit court of appeals. Authorizes direct appeal to the Supreme Court of any decision by a circuit court. Requires the expedited consideration of such a case at both judicial levels. Requires the disregard of any amount received by the taxpayer as a tuition tax credit for purposes of determining the eligibility of the taxpayer for Federal, State, or local educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1979
Directs the President to inform Congress of any dangers to Taiwan. Declares the policy of the United States to safeguard its interest and meet any dangers to Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for: (1) dentures under the supplementary medical insurance program; and (2) inpatient hospital services in connection with the provision of any service provided by a dentist if hospitalization is required in connection with the provision of such services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on the Sunday preceding the fourth Thursday in November of each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1979
Amends rule X of the Rules the House of Representatives to establish a standing Committee on Internal Security to investigate and report on Communist and other subversive activities affecting the internal security of the United States, including activities intended to overthrow or alter the form of government in the United States by unlawful means or which incite or employ violence or any unlawful means to obstruct the lawful authority of the government.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Solar Energy Bank Act - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential structures. Sets forth requirements for loan eligibility concerning the term and amount of the loan and necessary warranties for the solar energy systems covered by such loan. Prohibits conflicts of interest on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Establishes a seven-member Advisory Board to make annual reports to Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act. Prohibits subsidy payments under this Act to any person who has received other Federal assistance for purchase and/or installation of energy systems similar to the solar systems assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the Medicare program for services provided in a rehabilitation facility for the blind, and for services furnished to blind individuals by mobility therapists and rehabilitation teachers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for preventive services furnished in the screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals for hypertension.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include the services of licensed practical nurses under the coverage provided pursuant to such titles.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Geriatric Health Personnel Training Act of 1979 - Amends title VII of 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 1980, 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.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Long-Term Care Services Act of 1979 - Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social security Act to authorize the establishment of an experimental program to subsidize families who agree to care in their own homes, 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. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for elderly day care center services. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 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 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, and 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 · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for one comprehensive physical examination a year, dental care including dentures, eye examinations including eyeglasses, hearing aids including examination, and treatment of foot conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to take steps to eliminate unnecessary or excessive medical appliance expenditures under the Medicare program by implementing appliance leasing, auditing of medical appliance manufacturers and providers, and by cross-referencing prevailing medical appliance rates. Includes under the term "medical appliance" hearing aids, eyeglasses, dentures, and similar health aids. States that the Federal Trade Commission should continue and increase scrutiny of the medical appliance industries in the interest of consumer protection. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should provide increased assistance to encourage the continuing education and training of hearing specialists, clinical audiologists, and physicians to improve the quality of hearing care, and to encourage the provision by State and local governments of more and better hearing care for the elderly, including a network of examination and treatment sites.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Reduction Act of 1979 - Reduces, under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act: (1) the inpatient hospital deductible; and (2) the monthly premiums for hospital insurance for individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits. Appropriates to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund the additional amounts required to reimburse the Fund for such additional payments as are caused by the lowering of the inpatient deductibles and monthly premiums. Increases the benefits payable to each individual covered by the supplementary medical insurance program for the aged and disabled. Reduces deductibles, coinsurance, monthly premium and the charges under such program. Authorizes to be appropriated a Government contribution equal to such amount as necessary to reimburse the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for such additional payments as caused by the increased benefits payable to individuals and the reduced deductibles and coinsurance charges.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
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 · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
National Home Health Clearinghouse Act of 1979 - Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Home Health Clearinghouse to gather and disseminate information concerning the various public and private agencies providing home health care and related services to the elderly. Directs the Clearinghouse to (1) establish a computerized system for such purposes, and (2) publish current descriptions of Federal services and benefits available to the elderly under the Social Security Act, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and other related laws.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Health Maintenance Organization Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Public Health Services Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to health maintenance organizations for the construction of ambulatory services to be used by such organizations for the provision of health services to their members in medically underserved areas. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to set forth new regulations governing the payment of the cost of medical services incurred by a member of a health maintenance organization. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit reimbursement to States for payments made to health maintenance organizations in cases where such payments would have previously been prohibited because of the eligibility of a significant percentage of the members of such an organization for medicare payments when it is determined that the health needs of the population affected are best served by such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Mental Health Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act: (1) to provide Medicare coverage of mental illness on an equal basis with coverage of physical illness; and (2) to provide payment for certain clinical psychologists' services under the supplementary medical insurance program. Changes from October 1, 1977, to October 1, 1979, the date by which a State is required under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to establish or designate an authority to establish and insure the enforcement of standards for institutions, foster homes, or group living arrangements in which a significant number of recipients of supplemental security income reside. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to furnish to the States such information about the residences of such recipients as is necessary for the States to establish, maintain, and enforce such standards. Requires the Secretary to pay to the States an amount equal to the sums spent by each State for inspecting such institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the charitable deduction allowed for expenses incurred in the operation of a motor vehicle shall include the depreciation, operation, and maintenance costs allocable to such operation and shall be determined in the same manner as a business related deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
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 funds for multipurpose senior center programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to clarify and standardize the eligibility requirements to the provision of assistance to multipurpose senior centers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Age Discrimination in Federal Employment Act of 1979 - Repeals specified Federal laws compelling mandatory retirement based on age for the following: (1) Federal employees; (2) the Director of the Federal Judicial Center; (3) tax Court Judges; (4) Foreign Service employees; (5) Lighthouse Service officers and employees; (6) the Comptroller General and the Assistant Comptroller General; (7) Central Intelligence Agency officers and employees; and (8) District of Columbia Judges.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit county governments to provide to their residents through the State's Medicaid plan a level of medical assistance which is greater in amount, duration, or scope than that available under the plan to other State residents. Requires county governments to show that their plans for providing additional benefits do not result in excessive administrative costs or otherwise conflict with the result in excessive administrative costs or otherwise conflict with the administration of the State Medicaid plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to allow volunteers in the Service Corps of Retired Executives, established under the National Volunteer Programs to Assist Small Businesses, to provide assistance to home health agencies which provide home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the governing boards of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities having an average duration of stay of more than 30 days to establish written policies guaranteeing specified rights of patients including: (1) information on services and charges; (2) information on and participation in medical treatment; (3) conditions of transfer or discharge; (4) grievances; (5) management of personal financial affairs; (6) freedom from abuse and restraints; (7) confidentiality of records; and (8) freedom of association. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish civil penalties for the violation of such rights. Sets forth provisions concerning the processing and investigation of complaints arising from the violation of patients' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to establish a grant program for the purpose of making reimbursements to institutions of higher education to defray a portion of tuition costs, or costs of individual courses of study, applicable to eligible older persons at such institutions. Requires any institution of higher learning desiring to receive reimbursements from the Commissioner to transmit an application to the Commissioner in such form, at such times, and according to such procedures, as the Commissioner may establish. Sets forth assurances to be contained in such application. Provides that the United States courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction, concerning such application, to affirm or to set aside an adverse decision of the Commissioner. States that any older person who is qualified to enroll in any course of study at an institution receiving reimbursements under this Act shall be eligible for such enrollment without being required to defray any cost of tuition or any cost of a course of study. Entitles any institution of higher education whose application is approved to receive reimbursements equal to 55 percent of the cost of tuition or the cost of any study applicable to an older person with respect to whom such reimbursement is sought. States that reimbursements shall be made only for those students who constitute a greater number than those enrolled in 1978 who would have been eligible for benefits if the program were available. Defines the term "older person" as any person 60 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to provide that any patient of a nursing home or intermediate care facility which is participating in the hospital insurance program under title XVIII (Medicare) or title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act shall have the right to terminate any contract entered into for his or her care in such a facility upon giving the facility at least 30 days written notice. Prohibits such a facility from requiring any patient to turn over to it any periodic benefit check or other income received after the patient has given such notice.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Medicare Long-Term Care Act of 1979 - 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 (A) who is eligible for benefits under this part, (B) who resides in the area served by such center and (C) 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 Act 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 · 15 January 1979
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that prior hospitalization is necessary before extended care facility benefits are available under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Older Americans Civil Rights Act of 1979 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to require the Commission on Civil Rights to study and collect information concerning policies and practices constituting discrimination on account of age. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to extend its coverage to discrimination based on age in public accommodations, public facilities, and public education. Requires the Community Services Administration to provide assistance in resolving difficulties relating to discriminatory practices based on age. Prohibits discrimination based on age in: (1) the sale or rental of housing; (2) the financing of housing; and (3) the provision of brokerage services. Prohibits intimidation of any person because of age because such person is or has been selling, purchasing, or renting any dwelling. Defines "age" for the purposes of the amendments made by this Act, as being considered too old, but only if the individual has attained the age of 40 years.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Drug Benefits for the Aged Act of 1979 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a Drug Benefit Program for the Aged to pay for prescription drugs from participating pharmacies. Directs the Secretary to establish a Drug Benefits List of prescription and nonlegend qualified drugs, limited to specified pharmacological therapeutic categories which the Secretary deems appropriate for the treatment of conditions, illnesses, or injuries to the person or well-being of aged individuals. Specifies conditions under which participating pharmacies may substitute lower cost, therapeutic equivalents for prescribed drugs. Establishes a Drug Benefits Council to advise the Secretary on policy in general and the content and format of the drug benefits list in particular. Sets conditions for the participation of pharmacies in the program. Prescribes criminal penalties for fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Youth Internships in Field of Aging Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize a grant program for the establishment of internship programs for secondary school students at administrative, research, and service levels with professions in the field of aging. Establishes application guidelines for such grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Senior Citizens Health Insurance Standards Act of 1979 - Directs each State to submit to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare a plan specifying certain minimum standards applicable for the sale of health insurance to the elderly. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to conduct studies for the purpose of making recommendations to Congress concerning: (1) a uniform approach for regulating all private health insurance offered to the aged and disabled; and (2) the feasibility of health insurance coverage under title XVIII in addition to the coverage now provided under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1979 - Prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin regarding contracts for, or terms of, insurance policies. Permits insurers, who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation, to continue to do so. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to administer and enforce this Act. Requires aggrieved persons to file such discrimination charges with State or local agencies in certain circumstances. Sets forth the procedures on charges filed with the Commission. Requires insurers to keep records and make reports as the Commission shall prescribe. Provides penalties for disclosure of information by employees of the Commission. Authorizes civil actions in U.S. district courts by the Commission if a conciliation agreement cannot be secured from the insurer. Allows an aggrieved person to institute a civil action against the insurer if the Commission has not instituted a civil action within certain time periods. Specifies the judicial relief available, if the court determines that the insurer has committed a discriminatory action.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Older Americans Employment Rights Act of 1979 - Defines the term "age" for purposes of equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to mean a person's being considered too old, but only if such person has attained the age of 40 years. Prohibits employment discrimination because of age, under the Civil Rights Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Sunset Act of 1979 - Title I: Reauthorization of Government Programs - Sets forth a ten-year schedule for reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 1979. Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which authorizes new budget authority. States that it is not in order for either House to consider any legislation which authorizes the enactment of new budget authority for a program for a period of more than ten years, for an indefinite period, or for any fiscal year beginning after the next reauthorization date applicable to such program. Provides that before the Congress can appropriate funds for any program, after its first reauthorization date, there must be a specific authorization in law to support the appropriation. Requires the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a sunset review of programs during the Congress in which such programs are scheduled for review. Requires that the report accompanying such reauthorization contain specified information, and that the report be completed during the Congress in which the program is scheduled for reauthorization. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, as well as litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and specified retirement pay and benefits. Allows the reauthorization schedule set forth in this Act to be changed by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress and sets forth the procedure for such change. Requires all legislation and other matters related to changes in the dates for programs under this Act to be referred to the committee with legislative jurisdiction over any program affected by the proposal and, sequentially, to the Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the Senate. Requires such committees to report any concurrent resolution or bill referred to it by a committee of legislative jurisdiction within 30 days, with a statement on each of its recommendations. Makes provisions for any proposed change which has been reported by a committee before June 1, 1980. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist Congress in carrying out the reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1980. Sets forth the contents of the inventory program, including the type of authorization provided for such programs' new budget authority; and the manner in which related program areas may be grouped for evaluation and review. Permits the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of Congress, and that such revisions be reported to each House. Requires that periodic reports tabulate the progress of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing budget authority for programs in the inventory. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to submit periodic reports to the Congress on the adequacy of the functional and subfunctional categories for grouping programs of like missions or objectives. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review, and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Directs each committee to consult with the appropriate committees of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in order to achieve coordination of program reevaluation and inform itself of the related activities of or available assistance from the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Office of Technology Assessment, and appropriate instrumentalities in the executive and judicial branches. Requires each committee to deliver a report on the reexamination to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House at the date specified in the funding resolution first reported by such committee in 1981 and thereafter for the first session of each Congress. Allows two or more committees which have legislative jurisdiction over the same programs or portions of the same programs to examine such programs jointly and submit a joint report. Stipulates that such report: (1) contain the findings, recommendations, and justifications of the program; and (2) include specified information including, but not limited to, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program and an identification of any trends, developments, and emerging conditions which are likely to affect the nature and extent of the problems or needs which the program is intended to address. Requires each executive department or agency which is responsible for a program selected for reexamination to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget and to the appropriate committees of the Congress on its findings, recommendations, and justifications of specified aspects of the program. Title IV: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes, as an independent instrumentality of the United States, the Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to conduct a nonpartisan study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of all departments, agencies, independent instrumentalities, and other authorities of the executive branch of the Government, and to make such recommendations as it determines are necessary to promote economic, efficient and improved services in the transaction of public business. Requires the Commission to submit interim reports to the President and the Congress, and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report on the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Specifies the composition of the 15-member Commission and sets forth the duties and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated until September 30, 1984, without fiscal year limitations, $4,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Title. Title V: Regulatory Impact - Requires the President to submit, at the beginning of each of the five congresses beginning with the 97th Congress, an analysis of the purposes, function, and efficiency of 16 specified regulatory agencies. Requires the President to submit legislative plans, based on such analyses, for the improvement of operations of such agencies. Establishes a schedule according to which plans for specified agencies will be submitted early in each of the five congresses for which the required analyses are submitted. Directs the President, with each plan, to submit a report on the cumulative impact of government regulatory activity on specific industry groupings. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to assess each of the agencies included in the President's plan and to analyze the plan, and submit such information to the Congress. Title VI: Government Accountability - Requires the President, beginning with the first year of the 97th Congress, to submit biennially, as part of the budget, a report on the management of the executive branch. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to provide an evaluative report on Federal programs to the President to be included with the President's report. Title VII: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Congress, to prepare an inventory of tax expenditure provisions and to submit a report on such inventory to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House and the Senate Finance Committee. Defines the term "tax expenditure provision" as any provision of Federal law which allows a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction in determining liability for any tax or which provides a special credit against any tax, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability. Specifies the contents of the report which include an estimate of the revenue loss from each tax provision. Requires the Director to: (1) submit a revised inventory to each House of Congress by December 1, 1980; (2) revise the inventory after the close of each session of Congress and report such revisions to Congress; and (3) periodically report on congressional action on bills and resolutions which create or affect tax provisions. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax provisions similar to the schedule set out for Federal programs in title I of this Act. Requires Congress to take final action on the reauthorization schedule for tax provisions before the end of the 96th Congress. Provides that each tax expenditure provision shall expire unless it is reauthorized by a law enacted during the Congress in which it is scheduled for review. Sets forth procedures and restrictions for the consideration of bills reauthorizing tax provisions, which are similar to the restrictions and procedures governing bills authorizing new budget authority for Federal programs as described in title I. Requires that the report accompanying a reauthorization bill include specified information. Permits Congress to prescribe technical rules as may be necessary to mitigate adverse effects which might result for taxpayers who rely on a certain tax provision. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to permit the committees of Congress to obtain from the agencies of the Government estimates or requests for appropriations or requests for increases in an item of any such estimate or request, and recommendations as to how the revenue needs of the Government should be met. Declares that nothing shall require the public disclosure of records which are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order, or which are otherwise specifically protected by law. Sets forth administrative procedures and requirements. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a "Regulatory Duplication and Conflicts Report" for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Stipulates that each such report identify duplicative or conflicting rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments, independent agencies, and State and local governments and contain recommendations which address such conflicts or duplications. Defines the term "required authorization waiver resolution" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth the procedure which the chairman of the committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over programs must follow in order to introduce a required authorization waiver resolution. Makes it the duty of the Committees on Governmental Affairs and on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committees on Government Operations and on Rules of the House of Representatives to review the operation of the procedures established by this Act and to submit a report every five years beginning December 31, 1986. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1990 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the review requirements and for the compilation of the inventory of Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits compelling a student to attend a public school other than the one nearest his residence which is located within the school district in which the student resides and which provides the course of study pursued by such student. Grants Congress the power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this amendment, and to insure equal educational opportunities for all students wherever located.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Establishes the Claude Pepper Senior Citizen Congressional Intern program which authorizes each Member of Congress to hire each year one senior citizen intern to serve within the District of Columbia for one of two two-week periods. Specifies that such intern shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed $300 per week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Newspersons' Privilege Act - Prohibits Congress, or any Congressional committee or subcommittee, or any court, grand jury, or administrative body of the United States or any State, from requiring that any newsperson reveal information or sources of information which such newsperson received while acting in a journalistic capacity.
![Official portrait of Rep. Oakar, Mary Rose [D-OH-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000001_200.jpg)