United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1979
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize disaster relief and reconstruction assistance to alleviate human suffering caused by hurricanes in the Caribbean. Stipulates that priority shall be given to furnishing agricultural commodities under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1979
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving, at the end of a two year period, any Federal aid highway program in a State unless the State has: (1) established a form of identification to designate parking spaces reserved for physically handicapped individuals and which distinguishes motor vehicles used by such individuals; and (2) enacted legislation setting forth penalties for the use of such spaces by non-handicapped persons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1979 - Entitles title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (as entitled by this Act) the Fair Housing Act. Amends such Act to define "handicap" as: (1) a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities; (2) a record of having such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment. Defines "aggrieved person" as any person who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or who believes that such person will be irrevocably injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur. Exempts from coverage under such Act a room or unit in an owner-occupied dwelling intended to be occupied by no more than four families living independently if such room or unit is sold or rented: (1) without the assistance of any real estate broker, agent, or salesman; and (2) without the publication or mailing of any advertisement or written notice indicating any preference or discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. Stipulates that such prohibition shall not preclude the use of attorneys, title companies, or other professional assistance to perfect or transfer title. Includes the handicapped within the groups that may not be discriminated against in housing. Makes it unlawful: (1) for an insurer against hazards to discriminate with regard to such insurance contracts; (2) to refuse to sell or rent (after the making of a bona fide offer) to a handicapped person unless such handicap would present a prospect occupant from conforming to specified non-discriminatory rules and practices; and (3) to discriminate against a handicapped person in the conditions of sale or rental, or in the provision of related services or facilities. Stipulates, with regard to such sales, rental, or related services, that discrimination shall include a refusal to: (1) permit reasonable modification to permit access to the premises; and (2) make reasonable accommodations in policies, services, or facilities to afford handicapped persons equal enjoyment of the premises. Stipulates, with regard to such sales and related services, that discrimination shall not include a refusal to: (1) make alterations at the expense of sellers, landlords, owners, or persons acting on their behalf; (2) modify generally applicable policies, services, or facilities where such modification would unreasonably inconvenience others; or (3) allow architectural modifications which materially alter the intended use of a building or its environs. Makes it unlawful for a State or local government employee or agency to impede the establishment of a dwelling specifically intended for handicapped persons, unless such dwelling: (1) would not comply with Federal, State, or local health or safety regulations; (2) would not comply with Federal or State program standards for services to the handicapped; or (3) would violate a land use plan or zoning ordinance. Makes it unlawful for any person whose business includes the making, buying, or insuring of loans, or selling, brokering, or appraising of real property, to discriminate in the availability or the conditions (amount, interest rate, duration) of such housing-related loans. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enforce the provisions of such Act upon receiving a written charge filed by an aggrieved party within one year after the alleged discrimination occurred, or upon the Secretary's initiative. Requires the Secretary to notify the party charged with a discriminatory practice within ten days of the filing of such charge. Grants the Secretary authority to subpena necessary information and witnesses, and to issue interrogatories. Establishes penalties of up to $1,000 or one year in prison for willfully failing to testify or produce records, intentionally giving misleading information, or willfully altering any documentary evidence. Directs the Secretary to refer a discriminatory housing charge made within the jurisdiction of a State or local agency to such agency if the agency is certified by the Secretary. Prohibits the certification of such agency unless the Secretary determines that the protections of substantive rights, procedures, remedies, and judicial review are equivalent to those under Federal law. Directs the Secretary and other Federal agencies to cooperate and avoid duplication of efforts. Authorizes the Secretary, on the basis of a preliminary investigation, to refer a charge to the Attorney General in order to get appropriate preliminary relief pending final disposition of such charge. Directs the Secretary, upon a determination that reasonable cause exists to believe a housing discrimination charge is true, to refer the matter to the Attorney General or to file an administrative complaint. Directs the Secretary to provide a copy of such investigation's findings to the parties involved. Sets forth hearing provisions, including: (1) notice of the complaint and opportunity for a hearing not less than 30 days after service of such complaint; (2) rescheduling of such hearing; (3) resolution of a complaint by conciliation; (4) respondent's right to file an answer and testify at such hearing; (5) an aggrieved party's right to intervene; (6) the authority of the person conducting such hearing to make findings of fact and conclusions of law, to issue a final order of relief, and to impose a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 (provides that no such final order shall affect a bona fide sale, rental, or encumbrance consummated before the issuance of such order); (7) the Secretary's authority to modify any such final order; (8) court of appeals judicial review within 60 days of entry of such order; and (9) a civil penalty of up to $1,000 a day for violation of an unreviewable (as set forth by this Act) final order of the Secretary. Permits aggrieved individuals to commence civil actions within three years of the alleged discriminatory practice. Prohibits proceedings by both the Secretary and the aggrieved individual. Authorizes the Attorney General: (1) to intervene in an aggrieved individual's civil action; and (2) to commence a civil action (a) against a person engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to these provisions or (b) to enforce the Secretary's findings or orders. Permits the aggrieved individual to intervene in an action commenced by the Attorney General. Allows prevailing parties reasonable attorney and expert witness fees as part of a judicial or administrative award under this Act. Directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to report to the Congress not later than October 1, 1981, concerning: (1) the extent to which architectural barriers and other obstacles to accessibility of housing are operating to deny handicapped persons access to a reasonable housing choice in the private market; (2) the extent to which public, private, or cooperative public and private efforts have been undertaken to increase housing choice for the handicapped in the private market; and (3) the projected cost of retrofitting an adequate supply of existing housing units to make such units suitable for occupancy by handicapped persons. Authorizes appropriations for this Act, effective as of October 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1979
Health Care for All Americans Act - Establishes a comprehensive "national health insurance system" (defined as the programs established by this Act and Medicare for the financing of health-care services). States the findings and purposes of this Act. Enumerates the rights of eligible individuals, providers, and insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Requires that such individuals and entities have their views considered with respect to actions under this Act affecting them. Gives such an individual the right to: (1) choose any participating provider with respect to a covered service; (2) the prompt and accurate making of decisions under this Act; (3) be heard on any grievance related to benefits under this Act; and (4) confidential treatment and use of information collected under this Act. Gives such a provider the right to: (1) decide whether or not to participate in the system; (2) the prompt and accurate payment for services; and (3) choose the mode and place of practice (with respect to a physician provider). Gives such an insurer and HMO the right to: (1) decide whether or not to participate in the system; and (2) carry on a supplemental health insurance business. Defines terms used in this Act. Title I: Eligibility, Entitlement, and Enrollment - Extends eligibility for the benefits of this Act to: (1) U.S. citizens; (2) aliens lawfully admitted or permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law, including refugees; (3) aliens admitted to the U.S. as employees of a foreign government or international organization which has entered into an agreement with the U.S.; and (4) aliens admitted as temporary visitors from a foreign government which has entered into such an agreement. Directs the National Health Board (established by this Act), after consultation with the Secretary of State, to recommend to the President that executive agreements be entered into: (1) with foreign governments and international organizations to make their employees and officers eligible for health benefits in return for a payment of the national community-rated premium plus an amount equal to what would otherwise be payable as the Medicare hospital insurance payroll tax, if such employees were so taxed; and (2) with foreign governments upon a determination that it is in the national interest to make nationals or citizens of such nations who visit the U.S. eligible for benefits in return for comparable treatment of U.S. citizens abroad. Entitles each eligible individual to: (1) enroll in a qualified plan offered by an insurer or HMO and to change enrollment during certain periods; (2) have payment made on such individual's behalf and not be charged any fee for basic covered services; and (3) be issued a health insurance enrollment card. Stipulates that such a card shall not identify the category or basis for the individual's enrollment. Requires enrollment information to be available and provided: (1) by employers to employees; (2) by or through the Board to Medicare-eligible individuals; (3) by the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation, Commerce, and HEW to active- duty uniformed service personnel under their jurisdiction; (4) by the Social Security Commissioner to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)- eligible individuals; (5) by managers of Federal and State institutions to residents; (6) by State welfare agencies to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)-eligible persons; and (7) by or through State health boards to other individuals. Directs the Board to notify State health boards of the identity of eligible individuals who, in certain Federal information returns, have failed to indicate enrollment under a qualified plan. Requires providers to transmit to their respective health boards requests for payment for eligible persons who did not indicate enrollment at the time of receiving services. Directs State health boards to make special efforts to locate such persons and provide for their enrollment. Defines "first general open enrollment period", "general open enrollment period", and "special enrollment period" for purposes of the program. Stipulates that all members of a family (other than those who are Medicare or SSI-eligible or residents of a Federal or State institution) be enrolled at any time in only one qualified plan. Requires employers to offer qualified employees during specified enrollment periods the choice of enrollment under: (1) at least one plan offered by an insurer belonging to (A) the Blue Cross-Blue Shield consortium or (B) the commercial insurance consortium; and (2) at least one plan offered by an HMO belonging to (A) the individual group practice HMO consortium or (B) the prepaid group practice HMO consortium (if such a plan is available in the area in which the employees obtain health care services). Allows the employer to also offer enrollment in plans offered by a self-insurer. Requires an offer of enrollment to be made first to a collective bargaining representative or other employee representative designated under law. Requires each employee to elect a plan in accordance with procedures established by the Board. Directs the employer to enroll such employee in a plan in accordance with procedures in the absence of such an election. Requires any employer offering in conjunction with a qualified plan a plan with benefits supplemental to basic services to provide employees with written information regarding additional employee costs for such supplemental plan. Limits a family which is offered a choice of plans to enroll under only one qualified plan. Subjects an employer who knowingly fails to comply with these requirements to a civil penalty which may be assessed by the Board and collected by civil suit in a district court. Requires active-duty members of the uniformed services to enroll in a plan from among such health plans offered by or through the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretaries of HEW, Transportation, Commerce, and the Board, finds are consistent with the statutory requirements regarding uniformed services medical care and with policy requiring provision of basic and other covered health services to such members and their families. Requires Medicare-eligible individuals to enroll with the Board or a participating HMO in accordance with the Medicare program. Allows SSI-eligible individuals, residents of Federal or State institutions not otherwise enrolled, AFDC-eligible individuals, or other individuals not otherwise enrolled to enroll during specified periods in any qualified health plan available to such individuals. Provides for the mandatory enrollment of such individuals who fail to enroll in a plan, in accordance with regulations of the Board and rules and procedures of the State health boards. Title II: Benefits and Providers - Includes as basic covered services: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services (and inpatient mental health services up to (A) 150 consecutive days for Medicare-eligible individuals, or (B) 45 consecutive days for other eligible individuals, during certain periods of treatment as determined under Medicare); (2) physicians' services, including hospital-based physicians (and services for the treatment of mental illness and outpatient mental health services to the extent that expenses for such services do not exceed the fee-equivalent of 20 psychiatric visits per year, as determined under Medicare); (3) post-hospital extended care services up to 100 days during any spell of illness; (4) the following preventive health services: (A) basic immunizations; (B) pre-and post-natal maternal care; (C) well-child care (including periodic physical examinations, hearing and vision screening, and developmental screening and examinations) for persons up to the age of 18 years; and (D) such other services as the Board may add on a year-by-year basis after consultation with appropriate experts and a determination by the Board that such services will be cost-effective (but limits the expenditure for such additional preventive services to $500,000,000 for the first effective year (defined as the third year after the year of enactment) and for subsequent years an increase tied to the average annual rate of increase in the gross national product. Includes as additional basic services: (1) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech pathology services; (2) health clinic services, including rural health clinic services; (3) home dialysis supplies; (4) tests and other diagnostic tests; (5) X-ray therapy; (6) durable medical equipment used in the patient's home; (7) ambulance service, to the extent provided by regulations; (8) prosthetic devices (other than dental), including lenses after cataract surgery and replacements; (9) leg, arm, back, and neck braces, and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including replacements; (10) insulin and outpatient prescription drugs for treatment of chronic conditions (but for Medicare-eligible individuals only to the extent provided under such program); (11) one audiological examination per individual per year and the provision of one hearing aid per individual for any three-year period; and (12) mental health day care services to the extent of two days for each day of inpatient mental health services permitted by this program. Excludes as basic services: (1) items and services for which payment may not be made under Medicare; and (2) for other than Medicare-eligible individuals payment for (A) orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, (B) certain physician services described under Medicare, and (C) certain inpatient hospital services described under Medicare. Authorizes the Board, after consultation with the Commission on Health-Care Benefits and the Commission on Quality of Health Care (established by this Act), to exclude payment for an item or service under a plan under this program and Medicare on the basis of cost-effectiveness, notwithstanding any other provision. Makes specified provisions of title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act applicable to basic services provided under qualified plans to the same extent as they apply under Medicare. Authorizes the Board, after consultation with the Commissions on Health-Care Benefits and Quality of Health Care, to establish a list of high-risk, high-cost, elective, or overutilized items or services for which payment may be made only if one or more of the following conditions are met: (1) the provider is board-certified in the relevant specialty; (2) the diagnosis and recommended service are supported by a second opinion or specific objective findings; (3) the provider-institution is adequately equipped and staffed; (4) the specialist or institution is providing care upon referral by a primary-care physician; or (5) the provider has demonstrated through statistical services that it provides high-quality services and properly uses appropriate methods and technologies. Title III: Financing and Planning - Part A, Budget and Planning Process - Specifies the annual timetable for the budget process for the national health insurance system as follows: (1) by January 15th proposed annual State budgets are to be prepared by the State Health Boards, in accordance with regulations and after consultation with specified interests, and submitted to the Board; (2) the Board shall transmit for inclusion without change in the Budget presented by the President an estimate of the anticipated Federal expenditures related to the appropriate Annual Budgets; (3) by March 1st a comprehensive Annual Budget is to be prepared and adopted by the Board and transmitted to the President, Congress, the States, and the public; (4) the Congressional Budget Office shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees as soon as practicable after receipt of the Annual Budget an analysis of its impact on the Federal Budget; (5) by July 1st the annual State budgets are to be adopted by the State Health Boards, taking into consideration the State Health Care Improvement Plan mandated by this Act, and transmitted to the Board; and (6) on the following January 1st the budget year begins. Specifies the contents of the Annual Budget and annual State Budgets, including enumerated items in the following categories: (1) anticipated expenditures; (2) anticipated revenues; (3) separate schedules, including Medicare and other public programs; (4) premium rates, including the national community-rated and group-rated premium amounts and national premium rate; and (5) five-year projections. Places the following limitations on expenditures under this program: (1) total anticipated expenditures for a year may not exceed the amount of the estimated expenditures by more than the average annual rate of increase in the gross national product for the three-year period ending with the year before the year in which the Annual Budget is adopted; (2) the amounts budgeted for covered health-care services for the U.S. and for any State are the maximum amounts that may be expended for such services (except for costs associated with uniformed service members); (3) a State Health Board may not provide for total expenditures for items covered in the budget in excess of those contained in the Annual Budget with respect to the State; (4) the total anticipated expenditures for the U.S. and for any State for the provision of basic services within a category of services or of providers are the maximum amounts that may be expended for such purposes (within percentage variations that the Board may permit); and (5) the percentage increase in the anticipated expenditures per capita for covered health-care services over the actual expenditures for such services for the previous year are limited according to specified formulas. Directs the Board, in consultation with the President's Commission on the Health of Americans, to prepare and annually revise, before the adoption of each Annual Budget, a National Health Care Improvement Plan which describes: (1) needs over a five-year period relating to the accessibility, quality, and cost of health care; (2) the effect of the provisions of this program on meeting such needs; and (3) recommendations. Directs the Governor of each State to prepare and annually revise a State Health Care Improvement Plan in accordance with Board standards and guidelines which describes: (1) needs over a five-year period relating to the accessibility, quality, and cost of health care; and (2) specific actions for meeting such needs. Requires such State Plan to include to the extent appropriate the objectives of: (1) the State health plan in effect under title XV of the Public Health Service Act (National Health Planning and Development); (2) the State medical assistance plan in effect under Medicaid; and (3) any plan submitted by the State to receive assistance under the Public Health Service Act and the Community Mental Health Centers Act. Title III - Part B, Payments to Providers - Provides for payment to providers as follows: (1) insurers and HMOs shall make payments to providers furnishing services to (A) their respective enrollees and (B) individuals not enrolled at the time of services but who are subsequently enrolled; (2) the Board shall make payments to providers furnishing services to a Medicare-eligible individual who is not enrolled in a plan offered by a HMO: and (3) the Secretary of Defense shall pay for services furnished to a member of the uniformed services on active duty. Requires each insurer or HMO to provide for payments of such allocated portion of the approved prospective budget (required under this Act) of the provider as reflects, in accordance with Board regulations, the proportion of the costs in the budget used to provide such services to such enrollees. Prohibits payment for expenditures by an institutional provider for covered services it furnishes to the extent such expenditures are not included in such approved prospective budget. Requires Board regulations to provide for methods of cost apportionment among insurers and HMOs in accordance with specified criteria. Allows such methods to include apportionment based on: (1) the number of treatments of particular conditions or diagnoses; (2) the relative value of the health-care services furnished (with respect to indices of relative values to be established by the Board); or (3) the number of admissions, patient days, diagnoses, or other easily determinable factor that may fairly allocate costs. Allows a State health board, when regulations provide for more than one apportionment method, to select and require the use of one such method. Requires each institutional provider in a State with an approved prospective budget to transmit annually to the State Health Board an experience report which shows the differences between the actual expenditures and services provided by the provider and those allowed for in its approved prospective budget. Directs the State Health Board to provide for: (1) the retention by the provider of one-half of savings produced by actions which lowered expenditures below those predicted; and (2) adjustments, to the extent appropriate, in the amounts of payments made by insurers and HMOs or in the prospective budget for the following year to correct unintended differences in the amount or source of payments to a provider. Provides for payment to a provider, other than an institutional provider (defined as including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, community health centers and clinics, and, to the extent provided by the National Health Board, HMOs), for covered services (other than drugs, hearing aids, durable medical equipment, or laboratory services) in accordance with the lowest of: (1) the fee charged by the provider; (2) the fee agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (3) the applicable maximum fee schedule for the service (established by this Act). Allows the National Health Board, upon the recommendation of a State Health Board, to increase the payment to a physician provider on an individual basis to recognize performance of unusual merit by such physician. Allows such a provider to elect to be paid on a salary or fee-for-time basis if the total amount payable in a year is not greater than the total amount payable for the equivalent amount of services as computed by the applicable maximum fee schedule. Provides for payment to a provider for: (1) durable medical equipment and laboratory services in accordance with the lowest of: (A) the charge for such service; (B) the charge agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (C) the maximum reasonable cost for such service; and (2) drugs and hearing aids in accordance with the lowest of: (A) the provider's fee charged for dispensing the drug or hearing aid; (B) the charge agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (C) the highest fee permitted under the applicable fee schedule. Provides for payment to a provider for other covered services in accordance with the lowest of: (1) the charge for the service; (2) the charge agreed upon between the provider and the insurer or HMO; or (3) the maximum reasonable cost of the service, as established by the State Health Boards in accordance with national guidelines and standards. Allows the National Health Board to permit experimental or demonstration methods of reimbursement which will further the purposes of this Act. Provides for periodic review of reimbursement methods. Sets forth procedures with respect to the budget limitations, including the following: (1) monitoring by the State Health Boards, the consortia (all the clearinghouses certified under this Act with respect to the financing of covered services), insurers, and HMOs of payment made to providers; (2) reporting by insurers and each consortium of excessive payments; (3) investigation and corrective actions by the State Health Boards; (4) shifting of funds among categories of services or providers and use of contingency funds for excess expenditures due to unforeseen circumstances; (5) modification of reimbursement methods; (6) additional certifications by State Health Boards of the need for particular services; and (7) requiring insurers and HMOs to make payments for services during certain periods. Allows philanthropic contributions and supplemental payments by State and local governments to finance services additional to those reimbursed under this Act. Stipulates that capital expenditures assisted by such assistance shall not be recognized by a State Health Board in its review of prospective budgets and maximum fee schedules. Requires each institutional provider to submit to the State Health Board its proposed prospective budget for the subsequent year which covers all medical services (not merely covered services) and includes the following: (1) anticipated costs, broken down by schedules for specified costs; (2) the proportion of such costs associated with covered services; and (3) anticipated revenues, broken down by source with respect to each class of items of anticipated costs. Authorizes the National Health Board to require accompanying documentation relating to specified factors for purposes of review. Specifies the manner in which certain costs shall be treated in such prospective budgets, including the following provisions: (1) the costs of all physicians' services under contract with the provider shall be included and the amount budgeted for such services shall be reasonable in relation to the cost of obtaining such services on a salaried or other basis, whichever is less; (2) the total cost of wages and fringe-benefits for nonsupervisory employees shall be included and shall reflect any existing collective-bargaining agreement; (3) the costs of furnishing basic services to ineligible individuals shall be included if no other reimbursement is obtainable by the provider; (4) depreciation costs shall not be included, except for certain capital costs, debt repayments, and costs associated with the closing of a facility; and (5) a reasonable rate of return on equity capital with respect to certain proprietary institutions shall be included. Directs the National Health Board, after appropriate consultation, to establish guidelines respecting review and approval by State Health Boards of proposed prospective budgets of institutional providers. Requires such guidelines to include: (1) standards to determine which budgets and budgetary elements may be approved without individual scrutiny; and (2) the detailed review of a random sample. Specifies standards which may be included with respect to providers of inpatient services. Requires the guidelines to provide for the collection and reporting of data in such uniform manner as the Board may set. Establishes procedures for the review and approval of prospective budgets by the State Health Boards, including the following provisions: (1) each review shall be made public and shall (A) assess whether changes in services or capital expenditures conform to the current plan of the health systems agency in the area (mandated under title XV of the Public Health Service Act) and the most recent State Health Care Improvement Plan; (B) review the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of provider services, taking into consideration any relevant findings of professional standards review organizations (PSROs) and of any national provider accreditation organization for that category of provider; (2) a provider shall be given the opportunity to comment on any pending disapproval; (3) the State Health Board shall consider any timely recommendations submitted by consumer groups, the provider, and employee organizations, including negotiated recommendations; (4) a State Health Board may delegate its review functions to an independent entity; and (5) such budgets may not provide for any capital acquisition or expenditure unless the provider has participated in a planning process in accordance with regulations. Requires a State Health Board to approve a budget without modification, taking into account the following factors: (1) total limits on anticipated expenditures; (2) the health systems agency plan; (3) demographic factors; (4) the impact of inflation on budget costs; (5) the effects of any approved capital expenditure or reduction, service modification plans, or future wage increases; and (6) certain other efficiency and cost-effectiveness objectives. Requires resubmission of a budget to the State Health Board if a modification is required for excess expenditures. Disallows payments to an institutional provider for covered services not included in its approved prospective budget. Requires each State Health Board to develop maximum fee schedules for covered services (other than durable medical equipment and laboratory services) after opportunity for negotiations with participating providers. Directs the National Health Board to develop guidelines for such schedules which: (1) establish the relative value of particular services, taking into account specified factors; (2) provide for geographical variations in fees, taking into consideration certain criteria; (3) set the maximum fee for a service which can be provided by two or more categories of health personnel at the lowest of the maximum fees authorized for such categories; and (4) include a formula for allowing annual changes in such schedules. Requires payment for the provision of: (1) durable medical equipment and laboratory services to be the lower of (A) the charge, or (B) the reasonable cost of the equipment or service; and (2) drugs and hearing aids to be the lower of (A) the charge, or (B) the reasonable cost of the drug or aid, plus a reasonable professional fee. Directs the National Health Board to establish guidelines for the reasonable cost of durable medical equipment, laboratory services, drugs, and hearing aids which shall be the lowest cost at which any such item of comparable quality is (or could be made) generally available in an accessible area. Provides for the computation of the professional fee with respect to drugs and hearing aids. Outlines procedures for the use of negotiations to determine the amounts of payments to providers. Directs the National Health Board to establish criteria for the selection of the negotiating groups for each of the following groups of providers: (1) hospitals; (2) skilled nursing facilities; (3) home health care agencies; (4) other institutional providers, including community health centers, migrant health centers, and health clinics; (5) physicians; (6) other non-institutional providers, such as pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists; and (7) hospital employees. Sets forth requirements for representation within such groups. Requires that the selection guidelines by the National Health Board shall provide for: (1) differences in the sizes of the various negotiating groups; (2) proportional representation for each type of health-care provider; (3) three-year terms for each representative; and (4) nomination and election methods. Provides that such negotiations shall concern: (1) limitations with respect to payments made to institutional providers on the basis of approved prospective budgets; (2) maximum-fee schedules; (3) reasonable cost levels with respect to durable medical equipment, laboratory services, drugs, and hearing aids; and (4) other cost control methods. Allows a State Health Board to incorporate within its annual State budget the provision of any agreement reached as the result of such negotiations which would keep expenditures within the budgetary limits. Title III- Part C, Determining Amounts of Premiums and Incentive Payments and Benefits - Directs the National Health Board to establish, in conjunction with the adoption of the Annual Budget and after negotiations with consortia, participating insurers, and HMOs: (1) a national community-rated premium; and (2) a national premium rate. Requires the national community-rated premium to be set so that, if such amount were paid by the members of each family enrolled through an employer plan, the total premiums paid would equal the anticipated expenditures under the Annual Budget, including payments to providers for basic services and administrative costs, but excluding administrative costs for the National and State Health Boards, PSROs, contingency funding, and the costs of covered services to persons who are Medicare-, SSI-, AFDC-eligible residents of Federal or State institutions, or members of the uniformed services on active duty. Requires that the national premium rate be set so that the sum of all wage-related and non-wage related premiums, the government payment for unpaid private premiums, and the voluntary premiums under international agreements equals the anticipated expenditures for covered services to Medicare- eligible, SSI-eligible, and AFC-eligible individuals, and residents of Federal and State institutions. Directs the Board to establish a group-related premium for SSI-eligible individuals and for residents of Federal and State institutions who are enrolled in a qualified plan. Requires that: (1) such premium be set so that the total amounts paid on behalf of such individuals equals the expenditures for furnishing care to such persons; and (2) such premium be adjusted annually to reflect the actual cost experience with respect to such expenditures. Provides that the national community-rated premium and the national premium rate are to apply as the State community-rated premium and the premium rate for each State, unless a State is able to provide for reduced premiums by negotiating a lower level of approved expenditures than would otherwise be provided for in the national budget. Requires each State to establish a group-rated premium for AFDC-eligible individuals and residents of State institutions. Requires that such premium: (1) be set so that the total amounts paid on behalf of such individuals equals the expenditures for furnishing care to such persons; and (2) be adjusted annually to reflect the actual cost experience with respect to such expenditures. Permits a participating insurer or HMO to offer eligible individuals (other than Medicare eligibles) an incentive to enroll in a qualified plan by providing additional services or by paying dividends or cash rebates on premiums. Permits an HMO to offer such incentives to Medicare-eligible persons. Sets forth requirements with respect to such dividend and cash rebates, including that: (1) in the case of employed enrollees, they be divided between the employees and employer in accordance with Board procedures; and (2) they not be treated as taxable income to individuals or income under federally-assisted welfare programs, nor reduce any credit relating to a limit on the amount of private premium payments. Sets a limit on the amount of premiums paid with respect to members of a family unit as employees and by members of the family unit. Provides for a refund to families of amounts in excess of such limit. Title III-Part D, Payment and Collection of Premiums - Requires each employer to pay to the applicable consortium on behalf of each employee for each payroll period an amount equal to the product of the wages paid during such period and the applicable State premium rate. Permits an employer (subject to any collective-bargaining agreement) to require employees to pay up to 35 percent of such amount. Requires an employer to pay any voluntary contributions such employee may wish to have made on his behalf. Permits an employer to obtain certification from the Board as an impacted employer and so qualify for: (1) a payment from the Board if such employer is a State employer or nonprofit employer; or (2) a tax credit with respect to other employers. Specifies the formula for determining such payment or credit. Defines terms for the purposes of this section. Requires all persons (with specified exceptions) to pay to the applicable consortium an amount equal to the product of one-half the State premium rate and the amount of non-wage-related income of such persons' family units. Requires such persons to file quarterly information returns in accordance with Board regulations. Authorizes the Board to impose a collection surcharge for untimely payments. Prescribes the payment procedure for premiums under executive agreements. Requires: (1) the Board to make monthly premium payments to consortia on behalf of SSI-eligible individuals and residents of Federal institutions; and (2) each State to make monthly premium payments to consortia on behalf of AFDC-eligible individuals and residents of State institutions. Sets forth rules regarding Government compensation to consortia for certain uncollected premiums and an assessment against State or local governments which fail to make a required employer payment. Title III-Part E Distribution of Premiums - Requires the consortia to: (1) compute for each capitation individual an amount equal to the average anticipated expenditure in the State budget for the individual, including certain administrative costs and funds for the contingency fund, but excluding the administrative costs of the State health board; and (2) report such amounts to the Board for review. Requires each consortium to adjust capitation amounts to reflect for a specific capitation individual: (1) the relative actual costs of providing covered services in the area of such person's residency; and (2) the actuarial risk associated with the individual's characteristics. Requires that such risk adjustment be made to eliminate financial incentives for insurers or HMOs to practice risk selection or experience rating. Requires that the total of capitation amounts and adjusted capitation amounts for enrollees in a State be equal to the total expenditures in the State budget for the provision and administration of covered services, excluding State health board administrative expenses. Requires each consortium to apportion to its members an adjusted capitation amount for each capitation individual and a group-rated premium for each group-rated individual. Requires these amounts to be paid to members in installments consistent with Board guidelines. Directs the Board to provide supplementary payments from the Health Resources Distribution Fund to participating HMOs in operation for less than five years. Requires consortia to provide, in accordance with Board guidelines, for redistribution of collected premiums to assure that each consortium is provided an adjusted capitation amount for each capitation individual, and a group-rated premium for each group-rated individual. Directs each consortium to maintain a contingency fund for expenditures for unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of insurers or HMOs. Authorizes the Board, in any year when premiums collected are less than amounts provided in the annual budget, to guarantee the principle and interest of loans issued by the consortia to assure adequate revenues. Sets forth requirements with respect to such loans. Directs the Board, in any year when premiums collected are greater than provided for in the annual budget, to provide for the consortia to distribute such excess funds, including appropriate adjustments in subsequent national and State budgets. Title IV: Administration-Part A, National Health Board and State Health Boards Establishes an independent, five-member National Health Board, to be appointed by the President, to (among other specific functions): (1) establish commissions, bureaus, divisions, offices, and other entities required by this Act or deemed appropriate; (2) perform the functions of a participating insurer, HMO, or consortium with respect to any area or group of insurers for which there is no certified insurer or consortium; (3) perform the functions of a State health board with respect to any State in which such a board has not been established; (4) establish administrative procedures with respect to consumer and provider appeals from State health board decisions; (5) be responsible for the general implementation of this Act; and (6) study and evaluate on a continuing basis the operation of this Act. Transfers to the Board all functions of the Secretary of HEW relating to specified provisions of: (1) the Social Security Act (including Maternal and Child Health Services, Professional Standards Review Organizations, Medicaid, and Medicare); (2) the Public Health Service Act (but excluding, among other provisions, certain provisions of title III (Administration), title IV (National Research Institutes), title V (Miscellaneous), title X (Population Research), and title XIV (Safety of Public Water Systems); (3) the Community Mental Health Centers Act; (4) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970; (5) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972; and (6) the provision of health care services to Indians (PL 94-437). Requires the Board to have: (1) an Ombudsman, to investigate complaints about program operation; (2) an advocate, to assist consumers in determining and protecting their rights to services; and (3) an inspector general, to direct the auditing and investigative activities of the Board. Directs the Board to establish the following Commissions: (1) Commission on Benefits, to review and make recommendations with respect to the provision of basic covered services under qualified plans and determine their cost and effectiveness in improving public health; (2) Commission on Quality, to review and make recommendations with respect to the quality of health services provided under this Act; (3) Commission on Access, to review and make recommendations with respect to the utilization of covered services by the different categories of eligible individuals; and (4) Commission on Health Care Organization, to review and make recommendations with respect to the cost and effectiveness of methods for the delivery of services. Requires at least one-half of the members of each Commission to be consumers or representatives of consumers and to include appropriate representation of health care providers and other participants. Establishes: (1) a nine-member Commission on the Health of Americans, to be appointed by the President, to conduct an ongoing review of the health status of the U.S. population and to review a broad range of proposals for improving such health status, including research, environmental programs, highway safety, public health programs, and personal health services programs; and (2) under the direction of the National Health Board, a National Institutes of Health Care Research which shall be composed of (A) an Institute of Health Statistics, (B) an Institute of Health Services Research, and (C) an Institute of Health Technology Evaluation. Transfers to such Institutes certain functions of the Secretary under the Public Health Service Act. Requires each State to charter as a public corporation a State health insurance corporation in accordance with Board guidelines. Directs each State health board (that is, the board of directors of the State corporation) to establish an ombudsman, an advocate, and such advisory commissions as are appropriate to carry out its functions. Delineates the duties of such boards. Title IV - Part B, Participating Insurers, Health Maintenance Organizations, and Consortia - Directs the Board to certify an insurer or HMO when certain conditions are met, including a participation agreement between the Board and the insurer or HMO containing specified provisions. Requires the insurer or HMO to: (1) become a member of the appropriate consortium; (2) offer enrollment in at least one qualified health plan which provides basic services without a charge other than the premium; (3) accept during open enrollment all eligible persons in the order they apply without restriction, up to its capacity (but permits the Board to provide for enrollment limits to reflect needs for cost-effective services and for special characteristics of self-insurers); (4) issue an enrollment card for each enrolled person; (5) pay participating providers in amounts no greater than permitted under this Act; (6) report to the State health board and its consortium on payments made and expenses incurred; (7) maintain and afford access to records by the consortium, State health boards, and the Board and provide confidential treatment of individually-identifiable records; (8) offer any rebates or other benefits to all enrollees on the same basis; (9) establish hearing procedures for an enrollee or provider who is dissatisfied with respect to certain services or payments; and (10) comply with other reasonable regulations respecting marketing and customer service practices which the Board establishes. Directs the Board to agree that, in return for agreed-upon services and understandings, the insurer or HMO is to be paid by its consortium for each enrollee in a qualified plan. Requires the Board to certify in each State one consortium for each of the following types of insurers or HMOS: (1) a Blue Cross-Blue Shield consortium, representing nonprofit State-chartered medical/hospital service corporations; (2) a commercial insurance carrier consortium, representing profit-making commercial insurers not directly furnishing health care services; (3) a prepaid group practice HMO consortium; (4) an individual practice association HMO consortium; and (5) a self-insurer consortium. Permits an insurer or HMO to serve as a member of a different consortium with the approval of the Board and the consortium. Sets forth requirements with respect to these consortia including: (1) a participation agreement between the Board and the consortium containing specified provisions; (2) that the consortium provide for premium collection and reallocation and pay members for each enrollee; (3)that a contingency fund be maintained; (4) that certain information be reported regularly to the Board; (5) that the consortium negotiate with provider groups in establishing prospective budgets and maximum fee schedules in areas where its members offer plans; (6) that certain review procedures be established for dissatisfied enrollees and providers; and (7) that other regulations be followed. Establishes as a defense in any civil or criminal antitrust action brought with respect to actions by a participating insurer or HMO or consortium that such actions were taken in the course of performing duties required under agreements entered into under this Act. Directs the Board, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission, to prescribe standards and procedures for the conduct of insurers, HMOs, and consortia which is consistent with the promotion of competition. Directs the Board to investigate complaints by a participating insurer or HMO that another participating organization has engaged in anticompetitive activity. Title V: Health Care Improvement Program - Directs the National Health Board to establish a program to improve the distribution of health care resources in the United States in order to promote the improvement in the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of services provided under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Health Resources Distribution Fund. Directs the Board to make grants to the State health boards from the Fund for projects to achieve the purposes of the program, including: (1) the conversion or closure of health care facilities; (2) the provision of health care services in health manpower shortage areas; (3) renovations of institutional health care facilities; (4) HMO and other delivery systems; (5) educational programs for health professionals to meet projected needs; and (6) continuing professional education programs. Requires that the Board allocate an amount to each State health board based on the State's needs as reflected in the National Health Care Improvement Plan. Requires that each State health board provide for a program for the education of consumers concerning health and their rights and privileges under this Act. Directs the Board to: (1) study the impact of this Act on, and means of improving, the Medicaid programs, and report appropriate recommendations to Congress within five years of enactment; (2) provide for the development and demonstration of methods to improve (A) the coordination of services by different providers, (B) the provision of services, and (C) peer review and control of utilization and quality in the provision of drugs, laboratory services, and other services under this Act and Medicare; (3) provide for demonstration projects to evaluate the feasibility of providing hospice services as part of basic covered health- care services; (4) provide for an analysis of provider malpractice and the provision of malpractice insurance, and report recommendations to Congress within two years of enactment. Directs the Board to provide for the conduct of a demonstration project in the organization, delivery, and financing of personal care services to groups likely to require such services. Requires that the Board make grants for establishing and maintaining programs to provide personal care services for a substantial population of persons residing in their homes who would otherwise be required to reside in an institution providing personal care services. Sets forth requirements with respect to such program. Directs the Board to transmit to Congress a comprehensive report with appropriate recommendations within five years of enactment. Title VI- Effective Dates, Transition Provisions, Amendments - Part A, Effective Dates and Transition Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. Provides for a special national premium rate for the period between October 1 and December 31 of the year before the first effective year. Directs the Board to establish for localities within each State maximum fee schedules applicable to services reimbursed under Medicare Part B for the period between July 1 and January 1 of the first effective year. Requires the Board to establish regulations, guidelines, standards, and procedures providing for the orderly administration of the Act, and to report to Congress within 18 months of enactment its progress in establishing implementation procedures. Directs the General Accounting Office to report to Congress within 18 months of enactment on the Board's progress. Provides that this Act does not alter or affect any contractual or other nonstatutory obligation of an employer to pay for or provide health services to present or former employees if the effect shifts the obligation in any part to such persons. Sets forth provisions relating to transfer of functions. Title VI: - Part B, Medicare-Related Amendments - Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) to conform such Act with the Health Care for All Americans Act. Eliminates the prohibition against Federal supervision or control over the practice of medicine and the compensation of employees and officers of health care providers. Includes the following changes among those relating to eligibility: (1) broadens Medicare entitlement to include citizens of the U.S., persons legally admitted for permanent residence, and certain other persons aged 65 and over; (2) deletes the 24-month waiting period for eligibility for the disabled; and (3) entitles individuals to enroll in a participating HMO. Changes Medicare Part B from a voluntary insurance program to an entitlement program financed by premium payments and Federal funds. Includes the following among the changes relating to the scope of benefits: (1) deletes the limitation on inpatient hospital days; (2) adds mental health day care services; (3) replaces the existing limitation on inpatient psychiatric hospital services with a 150 consecutive day limit for Medicare purposes and a 45-consecutive-day limit for purposes of the Health Care for All Americans Act. Limits payment for outpatient psychiatric services and services related to the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness to an annual amount equal to 20 times the fee set forth in the maximum fee schedule for a psychiatrist's visit. Limits to $100 payment for certain outpatient therapy services in the therapist's office or beneficiary's home. Conforms coverage for end-stage renal disease with the provisions of the Health Care for All Americans Act. Includes the following among the changes relating to exclusions from coverage: (1) extends the applicability of exclusions to the Health Care for All Americans Act; (2) stipulates that preventive services are not excluded; (3) excludes hearing aids and related examinations only if they exceed one every three years, and one per individual; (4) eliminates the exclusion relating to orthopedic shoes; (5) permits the waiver, under certain conditions of the foot care exclusions for persons with diabetes mellitus; and (6) adds a new exclusion for insulin or outpatient prescription drugs for chronic conditions exceeding maximum amounts established by the Board. Makes technical and conforming amendments to Medicare Parts A and B relating to: (1) requirements for certification and requests for payment; (2) agreements with participating providers; (3) the use of State agencies to determine compliance with conditions of participation; (4) PSROs; and (5) payments to HMOs. Requires providers prescribing outpatient prescription drugs to use only generic or other names and specify such amounts as the Board may provide to insure quality and efficiency. Makes certain revisions with respect to payments to institutional and other providers and the administration of benefits. Repeals the deductible and coinsurance provision of the Medicare Part A program and the existing definition of "reasonable cost". Expands the definition of employment subject to the Medicare hospital insurance tax to include employment with Federal, State, and local governments, service performed for charitable organizations, service performed by certain employee representatives, certain students, and other organizations. Repeals provisions relating to the establishment of the Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council. Applies certain procedural provisions of title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to Medicare and to the Health Care for All Americans Act. Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to establish a new arrangement for the determination of the Federal Medicaid payment, by which payment is to be equal to "excess State payments" according to a specified formula. Increases the Federal share of certain State Medicaid expenditures, including: (1) the training and compensation of skilled professional personnel (from 75 to 90 percent); (2) operation of management information systems (from 75 to 90 percent); and (3) general administration (from 50 to 90 percent). Establishes certain additional State Medicaid plan requirements including that States: (1) continue to provide services (other than those covered under the Health Care for All Americans Act) in the amount, duration, and scope as were covered by the States in the quarter before the first effective year of the program; (2) pay premiums on behalf of AFDC-eligible recipients; and (3) reimburse providers in a manner consistent with methods established by the Board. Requires any State not having a Medicaid program to enter into an agreement with the Board by which the State agrees to pay premiums on behalf of AFDC-eligible recipients and receives financial assistance from the Board. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (General Provisions and PSROs) to: (1) extend the provisions for uniform reporting and disclosure of ownership and related information to the Health Care for All Americans Act; and (2) repeal the provisions relating to limitations on capital expenditures and programs for determining the qualifications of certain health care personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the present deduction for health insurance payments. Permits a deduction for amounts of medical expense not compensated for by insurance, in excess of three percent of adjusted gross income. Adds a new excess health insurance credit for impacted employers. Establishes special rules for computing such credit with respect to controlled groups of corporations and employees of partnerships and proprietorships which are under common control. Amends title XIII of the Public Health Service Act (Health Maintenance Organizations) to make conforming and certain other revisions with respect to the organization and operation of HMOs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1979
Department of Energy Reorganization Act of 1979 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish in the Department of Energy the position of Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy Resources in order to consolidate all energy conservation, solar energy, and energy research, development, demonstration, and commercialization activities currently under the jurisdiction of different Assistant Secretaries of Energy.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Federal Employees Dental Benefits Act of 1979 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract for the following dental benefits plans for Federal employees: (1) a service benefit plan; (2) an indemnity benefit plan; (3) employee organization plans; and (4) health maintenance organization plans. Requires that the benefits under such plans include: (1) diagnostic services; (2) preventive care; (3) emergency dental care services; (4) fillings; and (5) extractions. Permits a plan, subject to approval of the OPM, to: (1) offer additional benefits; (2) require copayments not exceeding 50 percent of the value of such additional benefits; (3) limit the amount a beneficiary may be paid during a calendar year under such a plan; and (4) impose a calendar year deductible for each beneficiary. Allows the OPM to enter into contracts for such plans without regard to specified provisions of Federal law requiring competitive bidding. Sets forth requirements concerning: (1) the length and rates of such a contract; and (2) obligations of any carrier of such a plan. States that such contracts are not subject to the Federal Procurement Regulations. Directs the OPM to establish audit requirements which do not conflict with such Regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Allows an employee to enroll in a dental benefits plan as an individual or for self and family. Permits certain annuitants to continue enrollment in such a plan under conditions of eligibility prescribed by regulations of the OPM. Prohibits an individual from enrolling both as an employee or annuitant and as a member of the family. Specifies conditions under which an employee may change enrollment. Specifies the biweekly contributions of the Government and the enrolled individual toward the subscription charge of a dental benefits plan. Directs the OPM to provide individuals who are eligible for such a plan with sufficient information to enable the individual to make an informed choice among the types of plans. Requires that each enrolled individual receive a document summarizing: (1) the benefits of the plans; (2) the procedure for obtaining benefits; and (3) all provisions of the plan affecting the individual. Creates the Employees Dental Benefits Fund into which the contributions of the Government and enrolled individuals shall be paid. Directs the OPM to: (1) administer this Act; (2) make a continuing study of the operation of this Act and of the plans under this Act; and (3) transmit an annual report of its findings to Congress. Authorizes expenditures from the Employees Life Insurance Fund to pay administrative expenses of the OPM in carrying out provisions of this Act. Requires the reimbursement of such expenditures plus interest from the Federal Employees Dental Benefits Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal to furnish specified information to a sales representative concerning orders placed through the representative's account and a monthly accounting of commissions due such representative. Enumerates items which must be set forth in any contract between a sales representative and a principal. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals conforming with such information requirements from the indemnification provisions set forth in this Act. Requires a principal who, without good cause, terminates a contract between such principal and a sales representative, or reduces the rate of commission for orders solicited on behalf of such principal, to indemnify the representative according to this Act. Requires a principal who reduces the size of the geographic territory assigned to a representative for a specified account, which results in a specified reduction in commissions, to indemnify such representative. Sets forth formulae for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Allows a plaintiff to bring an action to enforce any rights or liabilities created by this Act in a United States district court. Stipulates the procedure for such action.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Soviet Union should, with regard to the 1980 summer Olympics: (1) permit full participation by athletes, spectators, and journalists; (2) issue visas, admission tickets, and hotel reservations on a nondiscriminatory basis; (3) not interfere with news coverage; and (4) not prevent or punish its citizens for communicating with participants.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Manassas National Battlefield Park Amendments of 1979 - Sets forth boundaries for the Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from making any changes in such boundaries. Permits the Secretary to acquire any property or interests therein which are located within the boundaries of the park to effectuate the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the conditions for such acquisitions. Authorizes appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisition of such properties and interests.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Declares eventual population stabilization to be a national goal. States that it is the continuing policy of Government to use all practicable means to stabilize the nation's population voluntarily at a level consistent with a high standard of living relative to available resources at the earliest possible time. Creates in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Population Policy (Office) to: (1) submit to the President and Congress studies on the current conditions and trends in changes affecting population; (2) review legislation and Government regulations to determine the extent to which they contribute to the population policy set forth in this Act; (3) recommend national policies to plan for population changes and to promote population stabilization; and (4) document, define, and analyze changes in the nation's population. Sets forth the powers of the Director of the Office who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Requires the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States to be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies set forth in this Act. Directs each Federal agency to: (1) develop methods to ensure that population changes and the goal of population stabilization are considered in decisionmaking; (2) make available information which is useful to population planning; (3) assist the Office; (4) review its statutory authority; regulations, and current policies and procedures to determine whether they comply with the policies of this Act; and (5) propose to Congress and the President such measures as may be necessary to bring the agency into compliance. Requires the President to transmit to Congress annually a National Population Change and Planning Report. Specifies that such report set forth: (1) the status and trends of population changes; (2) the adequacy of available natural resources for fulfilling national requirements considering current and foreseeable population change; (3) a review of all legislation, regulations, programs, and activities affecting planning for population change and stabilization; and (4) a program for remedying the deficiencies of such legislation, regulations, programs, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should (1) recognize Jerusaleum as the capital of Israel and (2) relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
North Pacific Fur Seal Protection Act of 1979 - Title I: Termination of Convention - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals should not be continued. Declares that the President should terminate such Convention and enter into negotiations for an international agreement banning all killing of such seals. Title II: Protection of Seals - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Pribilof Wildlife Refuge. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate that part of the fishery conservation zone extending seaward of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, as a marine sanctuary. Prohibits the taking of seals within such Refuge and marine sanctuary, unless by the natives for subsistence purposes. Sets forth sanctions for violations of these provisions. Directs the Secretaries to employ, to the greatest extent possible, Pribilof Islands natives as rangers and guides. Stipulates that this title shall become effective upon termination of the Convention. Title III: Advisory Council; Social Services Programs - Provides for the establishment of an advisory committee to study and recommend to Congress alternative means of developing a livelihood for Pribilof Islands natives in lieu of the taking of seals, upon the termination of the Convention. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assure that the income of Pribilof Islands natives engaged in the taking of seals be maintained, after the prohibition on the taking of seals takes effect. Title IV: Other Provisions of Law - Repeals title I (Conservation and Protection of North Pacific Fur Seals) of the Fur Seal Act of 1966. Stipulates that the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 shall not apply if the taking of seals is prohibited under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow pensioners under a public retirement system and other retirees aged 65 or over a $5,000 exclusion from gross income for any amount received as an annuity, pension, or other retirement benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the manufacture, importation, installation, offer to sale, rent, or lease, or other distribution of telephone receivers or similar equipment manufactured after the date of enactment of this Act for use in connection with any interstate or foreign communication, unless such receiver or equipment is designed and manufactured to permit telephone reception by means of hearing aids with inductive receptors. Establishes fines for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should promptly enact the President's April 5, 1979, proposal providing for solar energy tax credits and that such enactment should take effect retroactively to such date.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Consumer Checking Account Equity Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize member banks in the Federal Reserve System and federally insured nonmember banks to make automatic funds transfers from a savings deposit to a demand deposit pursuant to the written authorization of the depositor to make such transfers in connection with checks or drafts drawn upon the bank. Authorizes federally insured banks and savings and loan associations, State banks and savings and loan associations, savings banks, and mutual savings banks to offer interest-bearing deposits or accounts upon which the depositor may make withdrawals by negotiable instrument for the purpose of making transfers to third parties (NOW accounts). Stipulates that such deposits or accounts may only be held by individuals or nonprofit organizations. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations and Federal mutual savings banks to establish remote service units pursuant to regulations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Authorizes such associations to extend loans directly related to negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require any institution which has subscribed for the stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to maintain reserves against its negotiable order of withdrawal accounts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes the required form of such balances. Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to permit insured credit unions to offer share draft deposits to individuals and nonprofit organizations in accordance with regulations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board. Requires each Federal credit union to maintain reserves against such deposits in amounts and forms prescribed by the Board after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Social Security Payroll Credit Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers, employees, and self-employed individuals an income tax credit equal to 20 percent of the amount of social security taxes paid by such individuals in 1980 and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should express disapproval to the Soviet Union concerning the nondelivery of mail to persons in the Soviet Union; (2) the State Department should bring such violations to the attention of member countries of the Universal Postal Union; and (3) the U.S. delegation to the Congress of the Universal Postal Union should ask members to take measures that would encourage improved postal performance by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Campaign Contribution Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any multicandidate political committee (other than a multicandidate committee of a political party) from making contributions to a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress and his or her authorized committees which in any calendar year exceeds: (1) $5,000 with respect to any general or special election and a primary election relating to such election; or (2) $7,500 (but not more than $5,000 for one election) with respect to a general or special election and both a primary and runoff election relating to such election. Prohibits a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress or any authorized political committee from accepting contributions from political committees, other than committees of a political party, aggregating more than $50,000 in any calendar year, except in the case of a candidate who is a candidate in a general election and a special election, such candidate may accept such contributions aggregating: (1) $50,000 with respect to such general and any primary election relating to such general election; and (2) $50,000 with respect to such special election and any primary election relating to such special election. Specifies that any contribution made in a year, other than the calendar year in which the election is held, is considered to be made in the calendar year in which such election is held, and any contribution made after the date of such election shall be considered a contribution with respect to such election only if such contribution is used to pay obligations incurred with respect to such election. Specifies that any extension of credit for goods or services relating to advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, by direct mail or other similar types of general public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such extension of credit is: (1) in an amount of more than $1,000; and (2) for a period of more than 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1979
Defines "appropriate manager" as a person whose management authority extends to informing Federal agencies and a business entity's personnel about serious dangers associated with a particular product or business practice. Makes it a Federal crime for an appropriate manager to knowingly fail to inform the appropriate Federal agency in writing, and to warn affected employees in writing, within 30 days after discovering in the course of business that a serious danger is associated with a product or business practice.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1979
Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and offices, to establish a Federal mechanism within such Office to apply and promote the understanding and appreciation of comparative risks in scientific, technological, and related matters and to assist Federal, State, and local governments, private industry, and the public in making intelligent comparisons and evaluations of those risks. Requires any comparison, made for the purposes of this Act, of the risks involved in alternative scientific, technological, or related actions to include: (1) an evaluation of the risks to human health and life which would be incurred or increased by the proposed action or course of action in comparison with the risks which would be reduced or eliminated thereby; and (2) an evaluation of the risks to human health and life which would be incurred, increased, reduced, or eliminated as a consequence of the proposed action in comparison with the corresponding risks associated with the alternative action or actions. Requires the Office to submit to Congress, no later than September 30, 1980, a report on its activities and progress which shall specifically include: (1) a detailed statement of the findings and an evaluation of such findings and their significance; (2) an identification of all Federal laws and regulations where changes involving comparative risk assessments are needed; (3) recommendations for changes which ought to be made in the organizational structure of the various Federal agencies; (4) appropriate consideration of methods by which public understanding and appreciation of comparative risk assessments can be increased; and (5) such other matters as in its judgment will assure continuing progress toward achievement of the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1979
Marihuana Control Act of 1979 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish a civil fine of not more than $100 for anyone who: (1) possesses not more than one ounce of marihuana within a private dwelling for his or her own use, or for the use of others within such dwelling, if it is not possessed with the intent to distribute, transfer, or sell in violation of Federal law; (2) possesses in a public area not more than one ounce of marihuana incident to a private use, if it is not possessed with the intent to distribute, transfer, or sell for profit in violation of Federal law; or (3) distributes or transfers lawfully possessed marihuana in public or private to any person for a lawful private use, if such distribution or transfer is not made for profit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1979
Research Modernization Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish within the National Institutes of Health a National Center for Alternative Research to develop and coordinate alternative methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals. Directs that the Center will be managed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and that the head of any Federal agency which conducts or sponsors research or testing involving the use of live animals shall appoint one employee to serve as a member of the Center. Requires the Center to submit annual plans to the Secretary which shall include: (1) the identification and development of alternative methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals; (2) directives to agencies which conduct or sponsor such research or testing; (3) an evaluation of the activities of the Center; and (4) an evaluation of the extent to which the goals of the plan have been achieved. Requires the Secretary to submit a report annually to Congress summarizing the plan. Requires the Secretary to make and publish in the Federal Register descriptions of alternative methods of testing which meet the regulatory scientific needs of the agencies and which have been reported in summary or plan. Prohibits the use of Federal funds to sponsor research or testing involving the use of live animals if alternative methods have been published in the Federal Register or if such work duplicates work performed by another agency. Requires each agency conducting research involving the use of live animals to: (1) implement a program to develop and utilize alternative methods of research and testing that would reduce or eliminate reliance on the use of live animals; (2) implement a program to develop and utilize methods which minimize or eliminate the pain, suffering, and fear of animals used in such research and testing; and (3) make grants and enter into contracts with educational institutions to establish courses for the training of scientists in methods of research and testing which do not involve the use of live animals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 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.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1979
Accelerated Solar Energy Utilization Act of 1979 - Title I: Establishment of National Solar Goal - Establishes a national goal for the increased use of Solar energy and renewable energy resources as a part of the Nation's total energy supply in the year 2000. Title II: Establishment of Solar Energy Development Bank - Establishes a Government corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to provide subsidies of long-term low-interest loans made for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems in residential and commercial structures. Sets forth requirements for eligibility for such subsidies, and other terms and conditions thereto. Establishes a seven member advisory board to make annual reports to the Congress and the President on the operation of the program established by this Act and to advise the President of the Solar Bank and the Secretary of HUD. Permits the Solar Bank to utilize the services of HUD personnel. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans subsidized under this Act, and for the misuse of such loan funds. Directs the Solar Bank to inform financial institutions and builders and owners of residential and commercial structures of such program and to actively seek their participation. Authorizes the Bank to train employees of such institutions in the operation of this Act. Title III: Tax Credits for Solar Energy and Woodburning Stoves - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify expenditures for woodburning stoves for the 15 percent residential energy conservation tax credit. Allows an additional 15 percent investment tax credit for process heat solar property. Allows a tax credit for certain builders for constructing buildings using passive solar elements. Title IV: Exemption from Certain Excise Taxes Made Permanent for Gasohol and Similar Alcohol Mixtures - Amends the Energy Tax Act of 1978 to make the exemption from motor fuels excise taxes for gasoline mixed with alcohol and alcohol mixed with special fuel a permanent exemption. Title V: Increased Secondary Financing for Dwellings with Solar Energy Systems - Amends the National Housing Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to increase the maximum principal obligation amounts for residences fitted with solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Authorizes any State or local government election agency to send free of postage: (1) absentee ballots; (2) voting instructions pertaining to such ballots; and (3) envelopes for returning ballots. Permits any person casting an absentee ballot to return it to the agency postage-free. Stipulates that this Act shall not apply to mail transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for amounts paid or incurred for television subtitle equipment for use by hearing-impaired individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1979
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should promptly enact the President's April 5, 1979, proposal providing for solar energy tax credits and that such enactment should take effect retroactively to such date.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1979
Energy Antimonopoly Act of 1979 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any entity, or subsidiary thereof, which produced or had an interest in a total of 35,000,000 barrels of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in 1976 from acquiring control or a majority of the assets of any other entity whose assets exceed $100,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares that the Soviet authorities should: (1) release a copy of the judgment against Anatoly Shcharansky; and (2) free Shcharansky and other Prisoners of Conscience and permit their emigration to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1979
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Postmaster General and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee should give favorable consideration to the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Americans of Italian descent and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei on December 25, 1980, or as soon as possible thereafter. States that the Postmaster General and the Committee should honor other foreign-born contributors to the revolutionary cause, from countries which have not yet been commemorated, prior to the conclusion of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1979
Smaller Enterprise Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and small organizations. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops, nonprofit enterprises which are not dominant in their fields and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule. Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any rule affecting a substantial number of small business concerns and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting and recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standards for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this Act in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1979
Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit coursing (the use of live animals as visual lures in dog racing and training). Sets forth the penalties for violation of this Act. Exempts any dog trained by the use of any live visual lure, or sponsored or exhibited in a coursing venture, or any animal used as a live visual lure in a coursing venture before the effective date of this Act from the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the 1980 Madrid meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to seek free elections supervised by the United Nations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, after the withdrawal of all Soviet military and civilian personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should inform and gain the support and cooperation of other nations in realizing independence for the Baltic States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the: (1) President should warn the Soviet Union against making citizenship claims on U.S. citizens; and (2) Secretary of State should inform U.S. citizens planning to visit the Soviet Union of the implications of the Soviet law on citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1979
Elderly Homeowner's Relief Act - Amends the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933 to permit Federal savings and loan associations to offer reverse annuity mortgages on the security of first liens upon residential real property in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Requires the regulations issued by the Board to include provisions which: (1) entitle applicants to withdraw without penalty from the mortgage agreement within 17 days of its consummation; (2) assure notice to consumers of all contingencies under the terms of the mortgage in the event of default; (3) provide all applicants an opportunity for refinancing at the end of the mortgage term; (4) allow prepayment at any one time without penalty; (5) require all associations to purchase annuities from an insurance company licensed by the State of their incorporation; (6) prohibit any variable interest rate on the mortgage loan; and (7) require applicants to receive a written notice of the terms of the mortgage loan containing specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1979
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to remove the prohibitions against: (1) using the United States' contributions to the United Nations Development Program for economic or technical assistance projects for Cuba; and (2) furnishing assistance under such Act to Cuba. Repeals the law expressing the determination of the United States to contain the aggressive or subversive activities of the Cuban Government and to support the aspirations of the Cuban people for self-determination. Nullifies Presidential Proclamation 3447 of February 3, 1962, which imposed a trade embargo against Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Directs the President to exercise the authority granted under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973: (1) to reduce crude oil inventories; and (2) to distribute the crude oil thus made available to refiners which will process such oil into gasoline, diesel fuel, and Number 2 fuel oil in order to meet the demand for such products during the 12-month period following enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1979
Calls upon the President to urge: (1) the International Whaling Commission to adopt an indefinite moratorium on the commercial killing of whales; and (2) various countries to voluntarily comply with such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Youth Employment Act of 1979 - Title I: Amendments to Title IV of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act - Establishes a program of guarantees of employment and training for disadvantaged youth under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Ends the program of demonstration projects designed to demonstrate the efficacy of the employment guarantee program. Adds, as a condition of eligibility for participation in such program, the requirement that a disadvantaged youth be from a rural or urban "poverty area" as such term is described in this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into arrangements with public and nonprofit private agencies to provide employment and training services under this Act when no application of a prime sponsor has been submitted or approved, or when the approval of a prime sponsor has been terminated. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a plan for the establishment of such youth incentive entitlement programs throughout the United States by a specified date. Authorizes appropriations for the payment of prime sponsor entitlements for programs under this Act for fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Authorizes the use of up to 20 percent of funds for such programs for youths who do not meet the stated eligibility requirements, but who have encountered barriers to employment. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to programs of community conservation and improvement youth employment projects to be carried out by eligible youths and appropriate supervisory personnel. Authorizes appropriations to carry out certain youth and employment training programs for fiscal years 1981 through 1984. Repeals the provision for the distribution of funds among the various programs established under this Act. Requires prime sponsors to assist each youth in such youth employment programs to establish a personalized employability plan. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 and thereafter to provide additional nonresidential Job Corps opportunities in nonresidential institutional skill centers for youth residing in high unemployment or economically disadvantaged areas. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements for youth employment with Federal agencies. Directs the Secretary to reimburse such agencies for such projects. Sets forth criteria by which the eligibility of such projects for funds under this Act shall be determined. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with Federal executive agencies, the Postal Service, or the Postal Rate Commission to provide youth employment. Sets forth eligibility standards and conditions of employment for project enrollees. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1984 for such Federal youth employment projects. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act - Permits prime sponsors, with the approval of the Secretary, to establish programs of providing demonstration grants from specified funds to private employers for community service projects approved by private industry councils, with any profits to be used to further the purposes of the projects. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1981 and 1982. Declares that, for the purposes of any other law: (1) no activity for the employment or training of youths under age 25 conducted under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act shall be deemed to be on-the-job training; and (2) no funds received by any employer with respect to any such activity shall be deemed to be funds received from the Federal Government for purposes of on-the-job training. Title III: Work Incentive Extension - Authorizes the Secretaries of Health, Education, and Welfare and of Labor to carry out the work incentive program under Title IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act from sums authorized to be appropriated by this Act without regard to non-federal matching fund requirements. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 through 1984 for the work incentive program for parents under age 22 who volunteer to participate in such program under the Social Security Act. Title IV: Interagency Coordinating Committee for Youth Employment - Youth Employment Coordination Act of 1979 - Establishes in the executive branch an Interagency Coordinating Committee for Youth Employment to assist interagency cooperative projects to improve the employability of disadvantaged youth. Limits the amount of Federal funds available for such projects to ten percent of the total estimated project cost. Authorizes appropriations for the Committee and such projects for fiscal years 1981 through 1983. Title V: Wagner-Peyser Act Amendment - Requires States applying for certain funds under the Wagner-Peyser Act to submit to the Secretary a plan supplement for general employment services for youth and in-school service to assist youths in the transition from school to working life. Authorizes the Secretary to operate such programs in States which do not submit such supplements. Sets forth formulas (based on numbers of youth and of economically disadvantaged youth) for allocating funds for such programs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 and thereafter for such programs. Title VI: Apprenticeship Act Amendment - Amends the National Apprenticeship Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to: (1) designate essential occupations suitable for training through apprenticeship and other occupations which underutilize apprenticeship; (2) establish research, development, and demonstration projects for apprenticeship programs in emerging or nontraditional apprenticable occupations; (3) provide assistance and training for certain personnel needed to provide additional apprenticeship positions in certain occupations; and (4) reimburse the costs attributable to training apprentices in certain occupations for one-half of the normal term of such apprenticeship. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 and thereafter for such reimbursement. Requires that Federal procurement contracts include a provision requiring: (1) the employment of a reasonable number of apprentices (as prescribed by the Secretary by regulation), to the extent that craft persons are to be employed in apprenticable occupations; and (2) the indenture of such apprentices to a registered program of apprenticeship. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, to promote the establishment of apprenticeship programs in Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1979
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a special postage stamp in honor of Filippo Mazzei, and in tribute to the millions of Americans of Italian descent who have played an important role in American history.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1979
Expresses the sense of Congress that no U.S company, doing business in South Africa, should: (1) engage in unfair employment practices; (2) deny its employees the right to choose a representative organization; (3) maintain segregated facilities; or (4) pay unequal compensation for equal work. Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. companies, doing business in South Africa, should: (1) encourage collective bargaining; (2) train nonwhites for supervisory, administrative, and skilled jobs; and (3) try to improve housing, transportation, and health facilities for its nonwhite employees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1979
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Defense Economic Adjustment Council. Establishes an Office of Economic Adjustment to provide necessary staff support for the Council. Sets forth the duties of the Council which include: (1) disseminating information to Federal, State, and local agencies and authorities concerning changes in defense spending affecting employment in defense industries; (2) oversight of programs providing assistance to areas adversely affected by such changes; (3) reviewing local alternative use plans; and (4) preparing and distributing a Conversion Guidelines Handbook. Title II: Alternative Use Committees - Requires the establishment, at every defense facility employing at least 100 persons, of Alternative Use Committees representing management and labor to undertake economic conversion planning and preparation for the employment of the personnel and utilization of the facilities in the event of a reduction or elimination of any defense facility or the curtailment, conclusion, or disapproval of any defense contract. Stipulates that defense contractors which fail to submit an alternative use plan to the Council or which refuse or fail to carry out the provisions of a plan approved by the Council shall lose eligibility for future contracts for a period of three years as well as losing contract termination payments and eligibility for tax credits. Requires Alternative Use Committees to periodically review plans for the conversion of the facility to civilian-oriented production and to send periodic reports to the Council regarding the progress of such plans. Directs the committees to provide occupational retraining and reemployment counseling services for employees who are displaced by the implementation of a conversion plan or the closing of a defense facility. Specifies provisions which are to be included in each alternative use plan. Title III: Economic Adjustment Fund - Establishes within the Treasury a Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund. Requires defense contracts to contain a provision under which the defense contractor is to pay into such fund an amount equal to one and one quarter percent per year of the value of the contractor's gross revenues on sales under such contract. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit ten percent of the projected savings from defense cutbacks into the fund. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to such fund to enable the Secretary to make payments and disbursements authorized by this Act. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Entitles workers who are displaced because of defense cutbacks to specified benefits for a two-year period, including: (1) compensation sufficient to maintain the employee's income at a level equal to 90 percent of the first $20,000 per year and 50 percent of the next $5,000 in excess of $20,000 of that worker's regular annual wage; (2) vested pension credit under any applicable pension plan; (3) maintenance of any medical, disability, or life insurance coverage which such an individual had by reason of employment by the defense contractor; and (4) retraining, job search, and relocation expenses. Stipulates that in order to be eligible for benefits under this Act a displaced worker must agree to maintain an active registration with the Secretary of Labor or an appropriate State employment agency and to accept any employment determined by the Secretary or the agency to be of the same skill or work of a similar nature at the same pay as such worker was receiving before being displaced. Stipulates that adjustment benefits under this Act shall not be taken into account in determining an individual's eligibility for unemployment compensation. Stipulates that adjustment benefits shall terminate when a displaced worker obtains employment providing 90 percent of the first $20,000 per year and 50 percent of the next $5,000 in excess of $20,000 of the worker's previous wage or two years after displacement, whichever occurs sooner. Title V: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Entitles communities which are substantially and seriously affected by the reduction or elimination of military facilities or curtailment or conclusion of defense contracts to Federal assistance for economic adjustment to avoid substantial dislocations and for economic adjustment assistance should such dislocation occur. Directs the Council to develop guidelines by which the criteria for eligibility for planning assistance are to be applied. Authorizes the sale of excess defense capital property or facilities where such a facility is reduced or closed to the affected community at a public benefit discount. Title VI: Industrial Economic Adjustment - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make or guarantee low-interest, long-term loans to assist contractors in carrying out an approved alternative use plan to convert a plant or facility to civilian purposes. Prohibits making any such loan or loan guarantee if financing for such plan is available from any other source. Title VII: Use of Certain Research Fund - Authorizes the use of Department of Defense research and development funds for work which has a potential relationship to an urgent national requirement in a designated non-defense sector of the economy. Directs the Defense Economic Adjustment Council to define urgent national requirements for non-defense sectors of the economy. Title VIII: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1979
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all necessary steps to bring the Baltic States question before the United Nation and the 1980 Madrid Conference on the Helsinki Agreements to urge both such bodies to request the Soviet Union: (1) to withdraw all non-native troops, agents, colonists, and controls from the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia; and (2) to return all Baltic exiles from Siberia and from prisons and labor camps in the Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of State to do his utmost to bring the matter of the Baltic States to the attention of all nations by means of special radio programs and publications. Declares that the United States should not agree to the recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Directs the President to take steps to provide that all maps of Europe show the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent states. Calls for a return of self-determination to the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia through free elections conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1979
Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act (National Research Institutes) to stipulate that the institute currently authorized to conduct research on neurological diseases shall be named the "National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke." Requires at least $16,000,000 of the sums appropriated for such Institute to be obligated for research in the area of regeneration of the spinal cord.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ottinger, Richard L. [D-NY-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000134_200.jpg)