United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Expresses the grave concern of the House of Representatives at the repression of the Guatemalan people by the Guatemalan Government. Calls upon the President to: (1) recall the U.S. representative; (2) order continued application to Guatemala of statutes limiting access to bilateral and multilateral aid to gross violators of human rights; (3) prohibit the granting of any Export-Import Bank credits or loan guarantees or the granting of export licenses; (4) instruct U.S. Executive Directors on specified international agencies to vote against grants and loans to Guatemala and to urge other governments to implement similar policies within these institutions; (5) actively work within the Organization of American States and the United Nations to pressure the Guatemalan government to cease its violence against the Guatemalan people; and (6) demand that the regime cease its repression and restore to the police and security forces their proper peacekeeping role.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act Amendment - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem an alcoholic beverage misbranded if it consists of more than 24 percent alcohol by volume and does not bear a health warning on its label, labeling, and advertising. Requires such health warning to state that use of such product may cause sickness or death, impair driving ability, create dependence or addiction, and harm the unborn during pregnancy. Requires the label to state that legal age is required for purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service to send a notification of responsibility for Federal income taxes in lieu of tax return forms to individuals electing not to receive such forms.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for demonstration projects (in at least three States, including a rural area) for the provision of preventive health services to the elderly through traveling health care practitioners (other than a physician). Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of the demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to state that a food intended for human consumption shall be deemed misbranded unless it is labeled to show the amount of sodium and potassium it contains when in excess of a certain amount of milligrams. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exempt a food from such requirement by requiring the information to be prominently displayed in close proximity to the place of display or sale of such food.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Prohibits a Federal agency from fixing the maximum age limit at less than 45 years of age for original appointments to a position as a law enforcement officer whose duties primarily involve detention activities. Increases from 55 to 65 years the age at which such an officer who is eligible for immediate retirement must be separated from the service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1987 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1990 when such credit terminates. Defines a "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1981, and before January 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Independent Agent Orange Study Act - Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to direct the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy will conduct the epidemiological study of veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Patent Term Restoration Act of 1981 - Amends the patent law to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Amends title VII (Equal Employment Opportunity) of the Civil Rights Act to 1964 to make it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against any individual who is physically or mentally handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Older Americans Alternative Care Act of 1981 - Title I: Medicare Amendments - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the homebound requirement for home health services. Includes periodic chore and respite care services as home health services. Permits home health services to be provided in an adult day care center. Title II: Senior Companions Program - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act to authorize the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants or contracts under the National Older Americans Volunteer Program to establish senior companion programs. Title III: Income Tax Credit for Maintaining Household for Older Dependents - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an income tax credit for an individual who maintains as his or her home a household for a dependent over age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Research Revitalization Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit business an income tax credit of 25 percent of the cash contributions made to a reserve fund established to finance business-related research or experimentation. Limits the total amount of such credit to five percent of taxable business income. Exempts such reserve fund from income taxation. Allows an income tax deduction for research expenses paid out of the reserve fund during the taxable year. Specifies that research financed pursuant to this Act shall be performed by an institution of higher education. Prescribes tax penalties for the use of funds from the research reserve for purposes other than research and experimentation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Oil Imports Act of 1981 - Title I: Oil Importation - Prohibits the importation of crude oil or other petroleum products into the United States unless permitted by, purchased by, or manufactured from crude oil purchased by the American Oil Import Corporation, established under this Act. Sets forth requirements for issuing import permits for the importation of crude oil and petroleum products. Directs the Corporation to issue permits for such imports to insure access by the U.S. Armed Forces in cases of national emergency. Requires that crude oil and petroleum products for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve be purchased from the Corporation. Grants to the Corporation exclusive purchasing and selling authority for crude oil and petroleum product imports, and sets forth requirements regarding such authority. Title II: American Oil Import Corporation - Establishes a nonprofit corporation to be known as the American Oil Import Corporation, managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President. Establishes an Advisory Board to the Corporation, composed of officers of specified Federal agencies and departments, which shall meet periodically with the Directors to share information. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Corporation and confers upon the Corporation nonprofit status. Establishes a Public Energy Fund in the Treasury into which shall be deposited revenues from activities of the Corporation. Provides that such funds, including appropriated funds as authorized by the Congress, shall be used by the Corporation for carrying out this Act. Sets forth specified reporting, recordkeeping, and auditing requirements for the Corporation. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes it a crime for any officer, employee, or person acting for or on behalf of the United States or any department or agency thereof to prematurely disclose information concerning crude oil or petroleum products required to be withheld from publication until a fixed time or to speculate directly or indirectly in any such product by buying or selling the same in quantity before such information is made public through regular official channels. Repeals the standby purchase authority of the President under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Cigarette Safety Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate, within 24 months, final performance standards for cigarettes and little cigars ensuring a minimum capacity for igniting smoldering fabric fires. Authorizes the Commission to prohibit manufacturers from stockpiling such products to which such standards apply. Provides for judicial review of such standards in an appropriate U.S. court of appeals. Declares such cigarette safety standards to be subject to all remedial and penalty provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act for the first three fiscal years beginning after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
National Service Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a program under which all citizens of the United States between the ages of 18 and 30 are requested to perform one or two years of either military or civilian service, but in which no one is required to serve except to the extent that the needs of the military require that some persons be inducted for military training and service. Title I: National Service System - Declares that it is the obligation of each citizen to perform some service for the United States and that to fulfill this obligation each citizen between the ages of 17 and 24 shall perform suitable civilian service, enlist in the armed forces, or be subject to induction into the armed forces. Establishes within the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the National Service System to be headed by a Director appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that such System shall include at least one placement center in each county or comparable political subdivision in each State and there shall be at least one appeals board in each State. Requires each citizen within ten days after becoming 17 years of age to register at his or her local placement center. Requires citizens who are between the ages of 17 and 21 on the effective date of this Act and who are not already registered under the Military Selective Service Act to register within six months of the effective date of this Act. Requires registrants at least ten days before reaching the age of 18 to notify their local placement center of their election to enlist in the armed forces, to participate in the military lottery, or to participate in the civilian service program as well as what age the registrant will begin such service. States that the age for beginning such service shall be not less than 18 years nor more than 23 years of age. Stipulates that individuals who fail to begin their service at such time shall be placed in a lottery pool and shall be liable for a period of six years induction into the armed forces. Stipulates that individuals who elect to enlist in the armed forces but who are not accepted by the age of 25 solely because the manpower needs of the armed forces have already been met will be considered to have discharged their obligation to perform service under this Act. Sets forth the conditions under which an individual may be exempted from the provisions of this Act. Sets forth legal proof requirements for conscientious objectors. Sets forth conditions for deferring participation in the military lottery and the civilian service program. Sets forth registrant classification and reclassification procedures. Sets forth procedures for appeal of a classification or the denial of a request for a change in classification. Sets forth active training and service requirements for individuals who enlist or are inducted into the armed forces or who elect to participate in civilian service pursuant to this Act. Establishes procedures for conducting the military lottery. Specifies the order for induction for training and service in the armed forces in the event of war. Sets forth the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services. Transfers the personnel and funds of the Selective Service System to the National Service System. Provides criminal penalties for individuals who refuse to register in the National Service System as required or who fail to report for induction when ordered to do so. Title II: National Youth Service Foundation - Creates the National Youth Service Corps for those registrants in the National Service System electing to perform civilian service. Establishes within the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the National Youth Service Foundation. Empowers such Foundation to administer the National Youth Service Corps and to make grants to units of State and local government in order to provide employment opportunities for civilian service registrants in the Corps. Provides for a Board of Trustees of the Foundation to be appointed by the President. Provides for the appointment of a Director of the Foundation by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the duties of registrants who have elected to perform civilian service. Requires each registrant who has located a position in which to perform civilian service to perform satisfactory service for a period of one year. Designates as "sponsors" those persons and units of State, local, and regional government that have positions available in which civilian service registrants may perform service. Requires each sponsor to provide supervision and training to civilian service registrants in accordance with minimum standards to be prescribed by the Board. Stipulates that civilian service registrants shall be paid a subsistence stipend determined by the Board based upon the local cost-of-living of the geographic area. Requires any civilian service registrant who withdraws or is dismissed from a civilian service position to report to the local placement center nearest to the registrant's current place of residence for reassignment within ten days of a Board's determination that the registrant is to continue in the civilian service. Requires that any civilian service registrant who is not able to find a position in a qualified service category or who fails to complete satisfactorily a year of service shall perform such service, or complete such year of service, in the Young Adult Conservation Corps or shall be placed in the military lottery pool. Authorizes the Board to promulgate regulations designating specific service categories as qualified service categories in which civilian service registrants may serve for the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the conditions under which an activity shall be deemed to be a qualified service category pursuant to this Act. Delineates suitable service categories to include positions in: (1) the Foundation and State, local, and regional government agencies; (2) schools; (3) nonprofit hospitals; (4) law enforcement agencies; (5) penal and probation systems; (6) private, nonprofit organizations whose principal purpose is social service; and (7) certain seasonal farm labor on commercial farms. Stipulates that suitable service categories may not include positions in: (1) profitmaking business organizations; (2) labor unions; (3) partisan political organizations; (4) organizations engaged in religious functions, unless the position itself does not involve any religious functions; and (5) domestic or personal service companies or organizations. Requires the Board to solicit information from sponsors who are authorized to participate in the civilian service program with regard to the types and impact of positions available for civilian service registrants. Provides for Board certification of specific positions as qualified for civilian service. Sets forth limited appeal procedures for sponsors or registrants who are adversely affected by decisions of the Board relating to the suitability of a specific position for civilian service pursuant to this Act. Requires that sponsors provide civilian service registrants with the same hours of work and leave as they afford their new employees. Directs the Board to contract for health care plans for registrants and to prescribe how the costs of such health care shall be borne by registrants and by sponsors. Stipulates that registrants shall not be considered Federal employees except for purposes of specified laws. Requires sponsors to submit annual reports to the Board regarding the number of, and reason for, registrants leaving service with such sponsor. Sets forth the conditions under which an individual may be dismissed from civilian service by a sponsor. Stipulates that registrants who are dismissed for cause shall be deemed to have elected to participate in the next military lottery. Authorizes the Board to make grants to units of State and local government for: (1) paying stipends to registrants; (2) encouraging local private persons and other governmental entities to become sponsors in the civilian service program; and (3) such other purposes as the Board may authorize to carry out the provisions of this title. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Youth Service to advise the Board on policy matters relating to the administration of this title. Title III: Veterans Benefits - Entitles individuals who volunteer or who are inducted into the armed forces pursuant to this Act to specified educational benefits. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the Military Selective Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that disability insurance benefits for an individual having a terminal illness shall begin with the first month during which such individual has such illness.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a nonrefundable income tax credit for 50 percent of the expenses paid or incurred to make alterations to their residences for the purpose of making such residences more accessible to, and usable by, a handicapped individual who is either the taxpayer, his spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such credit, for each such handicapped individual, to the lesser of $1,000 or an amount which, when added to previous year's credits, does not exceed $5,000. Reduces the amount of such credit by one-half of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $20,000 ($35,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly). Defines "handicapped individual" as any individual who has a medically identifiable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and which severely limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requires the handicapped individual to live in the principal residence for which the alterations are made for not less than a nine month period during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of May 10 to May 16, 1981, as "CARE Week" in observance of the thirty-fifth anniversary of CARE (the Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.).
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Establishes within the National Institutes of Health the Office of Drugs of Limited Commercial Value under the direction of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Establishes within the Office an advisory council to advise the Director and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services respecting the time required for drug approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to entities for the development of drugs of limited commercial value, defined as a drug for a condition or disease of low incidence, to undertake the development of such drugs, undertake studies to determine the potential and need for specific drugs, and coordinate the efforts of public and private entities engaged in the development of such drugs. Requires the submission and approval of an application containing the scientific basis for the development and the proposed therapeutic use of the drug and other specified information before financial assistance is provided. Requires each entity receiving funds to keep specified records. Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from providing housing assistance for the benefit of any alien unless such alien is a U.S. resident and either admitted for permanent residence or lawfully present in the United States under specified conditions (including admission as an asylee or a refugee, or because his or her deportation has been withheld).
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States and Indian tribes for projects designed to prevent domestic violence and provide immediate shelter and other assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. Sets forth conditions for receiving such grants, including that the State: (1) distribute funds to local public agencies and private nonprofit organizations; (2) distribute at least 70 percent of such funds to private, nonprofit organizations and give special emphasis to community-based projects; (3) designate a State agency to administer the programs; (4) set forth procedures to assure active citizen participation within the State; (5) assure that any project funded will coordinate its activities with other State programs and be administered by trained personnel; (6) provide technical assistance; and (7) comply with reporting requirements. Limits the total amount of grants to any local program to $150,000 for not more than a three-year period. Limits the grant for any fiscal year to $50,000. Stipulates that funds may not be used for direct payment to victims or dependents and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed. Requires local public agencies and private organizations to provide the following shares of Federal funding: 25 percent in the first year, 33.33 percent the second year, and 50 percent the third year. Requires that at least 75 percent of grants be distributed to entities providing immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental grants to States for: (1) administrative costs; (2) developing and implementing programs; (3) assuring active citizen participation; and (4) developing a media campaign. Provides that each State will be allotted at least $45,000 in formula grants and $7,500 in supplemental grants. Requires each State receiving assistance to submit detailed annual reports to the Secretary on the implementation of programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate a director of programs carried out under this title; (2) establish a national information clearinghouse on domestic violence, in coordination with the child abuse clearinghouse; (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding domestic violence programs; and (4) obtain information on research relating to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress and to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the programs no later than two years after funds are obligated. Sets forth confidentiality requirements with respect to records of persons assisted under this title. Establishes the Federal Interagency Council on Domestic Violence to assist the Secretary in coordinating Federal programs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out this title. Provides for repeal of this title at the end of either fiscal year 1985 or the third fiscal year after appropriations are first made. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the President and Congress within 18 months of enactment on the nature and incidence of abuse of elderly persons.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income tax deduction from gross income for adoption expenses. Includes within the category of "adoption expenses" adoption agency fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of a child.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Entitles Federal employees to an allowance of four cents per mile for the use of a privately owned bicycle or pedal assisted vehicle on official business.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require automatic sprinkler systems in all skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities certified for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs unless a waiver is granted. Establishes a program of low-interest Federal loans to assist such facilities in constructing or purchasing and installing automatic sprinkler systems.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Amends the Flammable Fabrics Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require any article of interior furnishing to be made fire-resistant to the extent necessary to adequately protect the public against unreasonable risk of fire leading to death, injury, or significant property damage. Makes the manufacture, sale, or delivery into commerce of any article of interior furnishing which has not been processed in accordance with such requirements and which may reasonably be expected to be used in places of assembly other than homes a prohibited transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Presidential Nomination Commission Resolution - Establishes the Commission of Presidential Nominations to make an investigation regarding the presidential nominating process. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress respecting such investigation including recommendations for the 1984 presidential elections. Terminates the commission 60 days after submission of such report. Sets forth the powers of such Commission, and related administrative provisions. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that, in accordance with specified international agreements, the Soviet Union should provide proper medical care for Viktor Brailovsky and permit him to emigrate to Israel with his family. Urges the President to: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment and treatment of Brailovsky; and (2) inform the Soviet Union that the United States, in evaluating its relations with other countries, will consider the extent to which those countries honor their commitments to human rights under international law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1981
Consumer Tire Registration and Public Notice Improvement Act - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to require automobile and automobile tire dealers or distributors to furnish the first purchaser of a tire with a tire registration form. Requires public notice of tire defects if the Secretary determines that such notice is necessary in the interest of motor vehicle safety.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Stipulates that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1981 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office, for every significant bill or resolution reported in the House or Senate, to prepare and submit (along with its regular estimate of the Federal cost involved) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out or complying with such bill or resolution. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for whoever, with intent to interfere with any person freely exercising his religion, damages or destroys any cemetery, religious building, or any religious article contained in such building or steals any such religious article.
![Official portrait of Rep. Scheuer, James H. [D-NY-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/7e670fd18b46ab357b2266777634a548_200.jpg)