United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to increase the participation by States, local communities, private nonprofit groups, and individual groups in efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to obtain a grant under this Act, to establish a State citizen panel on domestic violence. Declares that such a panel shall be established to provide an opportunity for citizen participation in planning and developing efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence, and provide citizens familiar with the problems of domestic violence an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to resolving such problems. Requires each panel: (1) to oversee within the State the implementation of Federal, State, and local projects under this Act; and (2) to study and make recommendations on matters relating to domestic violence. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for applications for such grants. Requires each State receiving a grant to submit to the Secretary a report providing specified information on the implementation of projects to prevent domestic violence. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center on Domestic Violence. Declares the duties of the Director of such Center to be: (1) the coordination of all Federal programs with respect to domestic violence; and (2) the provision of a national information and resource clearinghouse for matters concerning domestic violence. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to enter into contracts to provide for not less than one regional center for domestic violence to be located in each region of the United States as designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to conduct research activities with respect to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to annually submit to Congress a report on the programs authorized by this Act. Directs that the records of any person concerning such person's treatment for drug abuse, in connection with any program assisted under this Act, be kept confidential. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than three years after the enactment of this Act, as to the effectiveness of programs administered pursuant to this Act. Requires the Director to give particular attention to the availability of VISTA volunteers with respect to programs on domestic violence prevention. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Requires the States, to be eligible for grants under this Act, to contribute to programs supported by this Act in amounts specified in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
National Agricultural Land Policy Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain and protect agricultural land, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to institutes of higher learning to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Defines terms used in this Act. Title V: Funding - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $75,000,000 each for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $100,000,000 each for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Federal Buildings Artistic Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of General Services to acquire works of art by living American artists and to circulate such works among public buildings throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Small Business Act to provide "energy independence loan," under specified conditions to individuals or firms that provide energy conservation or solar energy related services or that manfacture, distribute, retail, or install energy conservation or solar energy products or measures.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Energy Transition Act - Directs each Federal agency to use and encourage the use of solar energy technologies. Requires each agency to review the programs, projects, and policies it is administering, and assess the feasibility of alternative approaches utilizing solar energy technologies. Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop guidelines and otherwise assist the Federal agencies in the review required by this Act. Establishes the National Solar Energy Advisory Council to advise the Secretary in the performance of his duties under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and Congress annually starting April 20, 1980 on the progress of the Federal Government and the nation in converting to solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy for heating the hot water in the Phillip A. Hart Office Building now under construction. Directs the Architect to make cost comparisons between solar and conventional energy systems over specified periods of time and report such findings to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Amends the Clayton Act to entitle any foreign sovereign government to sue for treble damages and the cost of suit for any injury to its business or property by reason of any action forbidden in the antitrust laws if such government permits United States citizens and the United States Government equivalent access and relief for the same injury in its courts.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Amendments - Exempts the following transactions from the terms of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: (1) sale or lease of any improved land on which there is a condominium; (2) sale or lease of real estate by a developer who is engaged in a sales operation which is predominantly intrastate in nature; and (3) the sale or lease of real estate by a developer who has fulfilled specified conditions to the resident of another State when the principal residence of the purchaser is within a radius of 100 miles from the property. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct all actions brought under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1978
Congregate Housing Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into contracts with public housing agencies for the establishment of congregate housing projects which are supplemented by supportive services for frail and physically impaired residents. Requires assisted public housing authorities to maintain any financial effort they were making in furtherance of congregate services prior to contract authority approval, unless the Secretary waives such requirement. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit the provision of congregate services in existing public housing. Makes provisions for the administration of services and requires assisted public housing agencies to employ elderly and physically disabled residents to the maximum extent practicable. Sets forth application procedures, requirements for eligibility for services, and rules for the setting of fees for congregate services. Directs assisted public housing agencies to review this program with eligible residents and with the professional assessment committee within the 12 month period prior to the submission of an application for renewed funding.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Title I: Lending and Investment Powers - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 to authorize federal savings and loan associations to invest in cooperative housing. Removes the limitation on the percentage of its assets which a savings and loan association may invest in the following: (1) commercial real estate loans; (2) loans for home improvement and mobile homes; and (3) State and local government bonds to raise revenue for the rehabilitation, financing, or construction of residential real estate.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
National Art Bank Act - Establishes, within the National Endowment for the Arts, an Art Bank to be headed by a Director. Authorizes the Director to purchase visual works of art for the Art Bank, to make such works available on loan to certain private and governmental entities for public display, to sponser exhibitions, and to assist State and local governments and nonprofit institutions in establishing Art Banks, of funds which may be expended for the work of any one artist during any one fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1978
WIC Amendments - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide the funds necessary to enable all States to operate or expand programs that provide supplemental nutrition and nutrition education to pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children (WIC programs). Requires each State to publicize the availability of WIC program benefits, using bilingual material in areas where a substantial number of low-income households speak a language other than English. Authorizes the appropriation of specified amounts for WIC programs through fiscal year 1982. States that 20 percent of the funds appropriated for WIC programs shall be made available for State and local agency operational costs. Requires each State to submit annual plans describing how WIC program funds will be used. Requires States to hold public hearings on such plans. Increases the membership of the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition from 15 to 20 members. Adds representatives from specified groups, among them, Indian WIC programs and migrant WIC programs. Directs the Secretary to require all States receiving funds under this Act to insure continuous availability of program benefits to eligible migrant agricultural workers as they move from State to State. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to prevent the dual receipt of benefits under the WIC program and the commodity supplemental food program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Older Americans Amendments - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to make the Commissioner on Aging directly responsible to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Abolishes the Federal Council on the Aging. Directs the Commissioner on Aging to continually review all requests for information under this Act and to take such action as necessary to reduce paperwork. States that the program of grants to States and communities for programs on aging should encourage and assist the development of multipurpose senior centers which shall serve as focal points for the delivery of services, including health, social, educational, and nutritional services, and recreation facilities. Includes in the definition of social services, provided by State and local agencies, health screening and preretirement and second career counseling. Extends the authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for grants to area planning and social service programs for the aged. Extends for each of the four succeeding fiscal years allotments to States for such programs. Encourages States to include, if feasible, all portions of an Indian reservation within a single planning, and service area for services to the aged. Requires each State to provide, in its plan for services to the aged, for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of existing facilities to serve as multipurpose senior centers. Requires a State, in order to be eligible for grants, under the Act, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan for a three-year period. Authorizes appropriations for four succeeding years after fiscal year 1977 for model projects which will expand or improve social services to older persons. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies for model projects designed to insure: (1) that long-term care needs of individual elderly persons are identified; (2) that such persons are referred to appropriate community-based and institutional services for such care; and (3) that the continued appropriateness of such services be tested through follow-up services and evaluation. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to assist nonprofit private agencies in reducing the cost of borrowing from other sources for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of facilities for multipurpose senior centers. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the four fiscal years following 1977 for training, research, and secretarial programs for personnel in the field of aging. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish the National Older American Volunteer Programs. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies or grants to or contracts with other public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to establish volunteer service programs to help retired persons avail themselves of opportunities for volunteer service in their community. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants or contracts with public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to finance projects designed for the purpose of providing opportunities for low-income persons aged 60 or over to provide supportive person-to-person services in health, education, welfare, and related settings to children having exceptional needs, including services by individuals serving as "foster grandparents" to children receiving care in hospitals, homes for dependent and neglected children, or other establishments providing care for children with special needs. Directs the Commissioner to coordinate the volunteer programs with other relevant programs at the State and local levels. Requires the Commissioner to insure that special efforts are made to have qualified individuals over 60 from minority groups serve as volunteers. Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for nutrition programs for the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are age 60 and over. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to delegate to the Secretary of the Interior or to the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs any functions under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available surplus Indian educational facilities for use as multipurpose senior centers. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the program through fiscal year 1981. Directs the Commissioner to prepare a White House Conference on Aging. Establishes a National Planning and Advisory Council to provide guidance and counseling for the White House Conference on Aging.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Genetic Disease Amendments - Title I: Revision and Extension of Genetic Diseases - Amends the National Sickle Cell Anemia, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act to include genetic conditions, as well as genetic diseases, within the program of research, counseling, and education established by such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program for three fiscal years, through 1981. Title II: National Commission Amendment - Directs the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research to conduct a study of the ethical, social, and legal implications of voluntary testing, counseling, and information and education programs with respect to genetic diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to establish an alternative operating subsidy for urban mass transit programs for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, under such new subsidy program, to make operating subsidy grants of up to the lesser of 50 percent of the project's net eligible operating expenses or a matching share of those expenses which will be paid from non-Federal sources. Establishes a ceiling level for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Community Mental Health Centers Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a grant program with State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and related services to victims of rape.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the Museum of African Art. Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a bureau to be known as the Museum of African Art. Sets forth the functions of such bureau. Establishes a Commission for the Museum of African Art to assist the Board in the operation and development of the Museum. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend medical assistance under such Title to individuals who are unable to care for their personal needs due to a physical or mental handicap which may result in death or which has lasted or may last continuously for at least one year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Nurse Training Amendments - Amends Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the Public Health Service Act to extend for two fiscal years, through fiscal year 1980, the program of financial assistance for nurse training.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
National Alcohol Fuels Commission Act - Establishes the National Alcohol Fuels Commission to study the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel source. Charges the Commission with the duty to study the short and long-term potential of alcohol fuels derived from plant, animal and industrial sources and wastes, and from coal. Directs the Commission to study alternative feedstocks and desirability of converting present feedstocks into alcohol fuels. Requires the Commission to identify and study technical, economic, legal, environmental and social factors involved with the production, manufacture, distribution and use of alcohol fuels. Directs relevant Federal agencies to appoint a liaison officer and to cooperate closely with the Commission. Requires the Committee to file a final report with the President and the Congress no later than December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Veterans' and Survivors' Income Security Act - Title I: Security Pension for Veterans and Survivors - Establishes rates for security pensions which may be elected in lieu of regular pensions by: (1) veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability; and (2) surviving spouses or children of veterans of a period of war of deceased veterans entitled to compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability. Specifies exclusions from the determination of annual income of such veterans and survivors. Requires persons applying for a security pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires annual adjustments of security pension rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title III: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of this Act as October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Authorizes a $543,000,000 appropriation for reimbursing States for expenditures made with respect to services provided by such States under specified titles of the Social Security Act. Sets forth procedures and time limitations for making claims for reimbursement and maximums amounts which a State may receive for providing services under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1977
Repeals specified provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act which deprive persons of their United States citizenship because of their desertion or failure to serve in the United States armed forces in a time of national emergency, because, as a naturalized citizen, such person resided outside the territory of the United States for a specified period, because such citizen with dual nationality sought the benefits of his non-United States nationality, and because such citizen, born outside the United States, failed to come to and reside in the United States. Confers citizenship upon persons born abroad with one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent provided such alien parent resided in the United States for a period of two years prior to the birth of such person.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Civil Rights Commission Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957: (1) to impose upon the Commission on Civil Rights the duty of studying and collecting information concerning legal developments constituting a denial of the equal protection of the laws under the Constitution on account of age or handicap, and appraise Federal laws and policies with respect to such denials; and (2) to extend such Commission for five years, until the end of fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Requires any person who acquires or who has acquired property as of the effective date of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 for any program for which such person received Federal financial assistance and thereby displaces another person to make all relocation payments and provide all assistance required of a State agency by such Act as if the relocation was caused by such State agency under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1977
International Emergency Food Reserve Act - Authorizes the President: (1) to enter into negotiations with other nations to develop an international system of food reserves to provide for humanitarian food relief needs; and (2) to establish and maintain an International Emergency Food Reserve, as a contribution of the United States toward the development of such a system, to be made available in the event of food emergencies in foreign countries. Requires for such Reserve minimum stocks of two million tons, allowing an increase up to six million tons pursuant to an international agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Denounces South Africa for the death of Steve Biko and for certain repressive measures against the opponents of apartheid, including closing of newspapers and other restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Declares that the President should instruct the United States delegation to the Belgrade Conference (1) to bring to the attention of attending countries incidents of harassment and human rights violations, especially violations of the rights of persons attempting to monitor the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and (2) to urge observation of human rights and redress of such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1977
Extinguishes any right, title, or other interest in tracts of land on which dwellings of individuals are located, that is asserted by the Mashpee Tribe in its civil action against the New Seabury Corporation in Massachusetts. Limits the size of the tracts so affected by this Act to one acre, with a designation by the Secretary of the Interior of up to one acre to be so affected on tracts which now exceed that size.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Designates the South Portal Federal Office Building of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D. C., as the "Hubert H. Humphrey Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Continues the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs through December 31, 1979. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds, not to exceed $250,000 per annum, by the Select Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act of 1968 to re-establish the advisory council on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, to limit such council's existence to ten years, and to reduce the term of council members from five to two years. Increases the limitations on acreage which may be acquired for rights-of-way and by condemnation proceedings along the Appalachian Trail without the consent of the owner from 25 acres in any one mile to at least 25 acres but not more than 125 acres within any one mile. Increases from $5,000,000 to $89,000,000 the authorization of appropriations for acquisition of lands for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Utility Residential Customer Service Regulations Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to improve conditions of service to residential customers of electric, natural gas, telephone, and water utilities. Defines the terms as used in this Act. Title II: Residential Customer Service Regulations - Directs State utility regulatory authorities to establish just and reasonable standards of eligibility for service, money deposits, estimated billings, collection methods, and termination of services. Requires that terminations of service be just and reasonable and exercised only as a last resort. Title III: Intervention and Enforcement - Authorizes participation in utility regulatory proceedings by affected State agencies and consumers. Authorizes compensation for consumer representatives who prevail in proceedings against utilities. Establishes procedures for the enforcement of standards established pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay each producer, processor, manufacturer or other affected business an undesignated set sum in full satisfaction of any claim for losses resulting from the Consumer Product Safety Commission's ban on Tris.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual who does not own and has never owned a principal residence an income tax credit for 20 percent of the amounts paid in cash to an individual housing account, up to a maximum credit of $500 annually and $2,000 in a lifetime. Makes such accounts tax exempt.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Refers a specified bill (S. 2029) which provides reimbursement to manufacturers and other persons for losses incurred due to the banning of tris, to the Court of Claims for a report on the nature of claims under the bill and the amount due.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Title I: Amendments to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit payment under part A (Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) of such Title for home care services furnished an individual up to 100 visits. Removes the 100 visit limitation presently applicable to home care services under the supplementary medical insurance program and provides for payment of home care visits not covered by part A of such Title. Includes among the items and services provided under home health care personal and home support services with respect to personal hygiene and care, preparation of meals, shopping, transportation, and light housekeeping services. Title II: Amendments to Title XIX of the Social Security Act - Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) to require the inclusion of home care services in an approved State plan under such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to postpone for one year the date upon which automatic plan termination insurance coverage becomes effective with respect to multiemployer plans.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should instruct the United States delegation to the United Nations to work with the delegations of other nations at the United Nations to call for a World Assembly on Aging and a World Year on Aging not later than 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Foreign Surveillance Prevention Act - Directs the President, whenever an individual with diplomatic immunity is engaged in electronic surveillance for a foreign power: (1) to inform certain Members of Congress; (2) to inform the targets of the surveillance unless to do so would compromise intelligence gathering by the United States; (3) to demand that such surveillance cease unless to do so would compromise intelligence gathering by the United States; and (4) to declare such individual to be persona non grata if the surveillance is not ceased and to demand that such individual leave the United States unless to do so would seriously damage national security.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Child Welfare Amendments - Amends the program of Aid to Families with Dependent of Title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a program of Federal payments for foster care maintenance and adoption assistance. Declares that a State, to be eligible for payments under this Act, shall have a plan for the administration of such program. Sets forth the requirements for approval of such a plan by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Authorizes the States to make payments for foster care maintenance and adoption assistance and sets forth the requirements children and adoptive parents must meet to receive assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to fund the programs established by this Act and provides for allotments to the States each year equal to 110 percent of the amount of their allotments for the preceding fiscal year. Requires the States, as a condition for receiving an increase in their allotments; (1) to conduct an inventory of all children under foster care for six months preceding such inventory; (2) to develop a statewide information system to locate such children; (3) to develop a case review system; and (4) to establish procedural safeguards to protect the rights of parents and children under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of provide a State with technical assistance in developing programs established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Developing Institutions Endowments Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants to developing institutions of higher learning to establish endowments for such institutions.
![Official portrait of Sen. Brooke, Edward W. [R-MA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000871_200.jpg)