United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action for or in the name of the United States in an appropriate district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that a State or its agents are subjecting persons confined in any correctional facility, juvenile correction center, mental hospital, nursing home, or facility for the mentally ill, retarded, or disabled to conditions of willful or gross neglect which deprive such persons of their Federal constitutional or statutory rights. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in any action commenced in a Federal court in which relief is sought from conditions allegedly depriving institutionalized persons in State institutions of their Federal rights. Prohibits any retaliation against individuals reporting conditions which may constitute a violation. Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress concerning actions instituted or in which the Attorney General has intervened pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1979
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number is at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress every six months the total value, distribution, source, and obligor of loans extended by domestic banks to governments, government agencies, and government-controlled corporations in countries designated by the Secretary of State. Directs the Secretary of State to designate those countries which meet the criteria for denial of assistance for violations of human rights under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Specifies those banks to be included in such reports as those which have: (1) at least one foreign branch; (2) at least $20,000,000 in claims of foreign residents; and (3) deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Amends the Trademark Act of 1946 to include as members of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board the Deputy Commissioner of Patents and any other persons competent in trademark law who shall be appointed as members. Deletes the requirement that appointed members must be approved by the Civil Service Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1978
Requires the Commissioner of Patents to prescribe the fees for any products and services of the Patent and Trademark Office not specified by statute, and to announce any new or changed fee in the Federal Register 30 days before the effective date of such fee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1978
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of an amendment to H.R. 13511 (Refundable investment tax credit).
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1978
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish an urban park and recreation recovery program to provide financial assistance to local governments for rehabilitation of recreation areas and facilities and for development of improved recreation programs. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) criteria for determining eligibility for assistance under this program; and (2) funding priority criteria for project selection and approval. Requires the Secretary to coordinate this program with the total urban recovery effort and to cooperate with other State and Federal departments and agencies which administer urban programs and policies. Authorizes the appropriation of $170,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1979 through 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act, such sums to remain available until expended. Prohibits the use of such funds for the acquisition of land or interests in land.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1978
Welfare Reform and Fiscal Relief Act - Amends Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) to set forth a formula for determining the minimum monthly benefit amount for aid under such Title. Sets forth a new formula for determining Federal matching funds under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC). Establishes the maximum amount for which the Federal Government will reimburse a State under the program of matching Federal funds. Defines the term "assistance unit" which is introduced in this Act, as a dependent child (or children) and the relative (or relatives) with whom such child is living, who are claiming aid, and any other individual living in the same home as such child and relative whose needs the State determines should be considered in determining the need of such child or relative, but does not include any individual receiving supplemental security income benefits. Excludes, in determining need under Title IV with respect to an assistance unit: (1) the first $30 of earned income; (2) an amount equal to the expenses reasonably attributable to earning income; and (3) one-third of the remainder of earned income as such term is defined in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe the types and allowable amounts of financial resources which an assistance unit otherwise eligible to receive AFDC benefits may own. Prohibits any unit member from receiving aid if unit liquid and nonliquid assets exceed $1,750 or, if the unit consists of two or more persons one of whom is age 60 or over, $3,000. Requires State plans under Title IV to provide AFDC benefits to children of unemployed or low-income parents. Defines an unemployed or low-income individual for purposes of this Act. Requires State plans under Title IV to provide level of benefits for an assistance unit of any size and any income level equal to or greater than the level of such benefits paid to a unit of such size and income level for the month of September 1978. Sets forth a formula for increased Federal payments to States for the AFDC program. Stipulates that an individual or assistance unit shall be considered to have made an application for AFDC benefits as of the time of the earliest action by such individual or unit which may reasonably be interpreted as a request for payment. Requires that an AFDC application form: (1) be prescribed by the Secretary; (2) ask only for such information as necessary to determine eligibility; (3) be available in languages other than English in certain geographic areas; (4) clearly specify the rights of applicants and the penalties for failure to comply; and (5) be accompanied by instructions for filling out such application. Permits applicants when applying to be assisted by any adult including a lawyer. Requires a determination as to eligibility to be made within 30 days from the date of application for aid. Permits any assistance unit to request a hearing if assistance is denied or if payments are terminated. Requires the replacement of lost or stolen checks within five days of a request for replacement. Requires full compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 with respect to information provided on an application for AFDC. Authorizes payment to States for the planning, design, development, installation, and operation of statewide mechanized claims processing and information systems to assist in the administration of the AFDC program. Sets forth requirements for the operation of such information systems. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide States with technical and financial assistance in developing and operating such information systems. Reduces Federal financial assistance to a State in which the dollar error rate of aid furnished by the State is greater than the target dollar rate of aid. Increases Federal financial assistance to States if such error rate is less than the target dollar error rate of aid. Sets forth formulas for determining such increases or decreases. Defines the terms "dollar error rate of aid," "target dollar error rate of aid," and "erroneous payments". Directs the Secretary to establish a target dollar error rate of aid for each State. Directs the Secretary to study those administrative costs which contribute to improved administration of State AFDC plans and to make recommendations to Congress with respect to those elements of administrative costs which should be matched by the Federal Government at a higher or lower percentage than the current matching percentage. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the credit given, for eligible individuals, against earned income taxes to an amount equal to 15 percent of earned income not exceeding $6,500. Reduces the amount of such credit in accordance with a formula set forth in this Act. Redefines the terms "eligible individual" and "earned income". Declares that the minimum aid to families with dependent children amount shall gradually be increased to the official nonfarm poverty line. Directs the Secretary to study the way to achieve such goal and to report to Congress the results of such study.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1978
Repeals Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3) (class actions where common questions of law or fact predominate) and creates two new types of civil actions against persons whose conduct gives rise to private actions for damages under statutes of the United States: (1) a public action vesting a single claim in the United States where (A) at least 200 persons have each sustained injury less than $300, and (B) the combined damages exceed $60,000; and (2) a class compensatory action where at least 40 persons have each sustained injury greater than $300. Requires in both actions that the injuries or liability arise out of the same transaction or occurence and that a substantial common question of law or fact exist. Authorizes the court, in a public action against the United States, to make orders limiting the involvement of the Attorney General. Allows a public action to be brought by the United States or private person in the name of the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General, in actions by a private person, to: (1) assume control of the action; (2) permit prosecution by the private person; (3) refer the action to a State attorney general in specified circumstances; or (4) recommend to the court that the action be dismissed. Repeals the requirement of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that the best notice practicable under the circumstances be given to all members of the class who can be identified and requires instead that the court give notice reasonably necessary to assure adequacy of representation of and fairness to all class members. Requires, in a public action brought by a private person where the United States prevails, the defendant to pay to the relator taxable costs, reasonable expenses (including attorney fees where allowed by law), and an incentive fee. Specifies calculation of such fee, to a maximum of $10,000, and precludes payment to the relator's attorney. Establishes guidelines for the calculation of attorney fee awards in both actions. Defines, in a public action where liability has been found, the bases of recovery. Allows the court to include in the judgment injunctive or declaratory relief. Establishes in the Administrative Office of the United States Courts a Public Recovery Fund. Specifies procedures for the administration of such fund and for allocation of the fund to injured persons who make claims. Requires, in a class compensatory action, that: (1) damages be proven by any legal method; (2) liability and damages be separately determined; and (3) a defendant found liable identify and serve notice upon persons likely to have been injured. Prescribes procedures to expedite the regulation of both actions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1978
Stipulates that Interstate Highway System funds shall only be apportioned to States whose vehicle length limit for tractor trailer or semitrailer combinations on Interstate highways does not include the tractor component of such combination or whose overall length limit exceeds the limit for the trailer or semitrailer component by at least 15 feet.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Intergovernmental Anti-recession Asssistance Act - Title I: Amends the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 to extend for eight calendar quarters beginning October 1, 1978, the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to States and local governments to stimulate economic recovery. Suspends such assistance if the national rate of unemployment is less than six percent for two consecutive quarters. Title II: Supplementary Fiscal Assistance - Supplementary Fiscal Assistance Act - Authorizes a new program of financial assistance to State and local governments with unemployment rates above six percent at times when the national unemployment rate is between five and six percent. Requires that such payments be used to maintain basic services to persons in the area served by the government.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1978
Justice System Improvement Act - Restates and amends in its entirety Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Law Enforcement Assistance). Sets forth the purposes of the title. Retains within the Department of Justice a Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, and within the Administration, the Office of Community Anti-Crime Programs. Renames the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice the National Institute of Justice. Establishes a 21 member National Institute of Justice Advisory Board to develop research policy for the Institute. Establishes within the Department a Bureau of Justice Statistics. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Bureau, including collecting national crime statistics. Establishes a Bureau of Justice Statistics Advisory Board to recommend policy and priorities for the Bureau. Restructures the existing program of grants and assistance to State and local units of government into three categories, formula grants, national priority grants, and discretionary grants. Sets forth the purposes for which such grants may be made and the procedures to be followed in making the grants. Continues the authority of the LEAA to conduct training, recruiting and career development programs for law enforcement officials. Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Justice Assistance, Research and Statistics to provide staff support, set policy, and coordinate the activities of the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the LEAA. Establishes an advisory board to the Office. Sets forth the powers and administrative procedures of the offices established by this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the programs and grants established by this Act. Continues the existing program of public safety officers' death benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1978
Commends the Native Americans participating in the Longest Walk for their efforts to provide a peaceful and meaningful opportunity for the discussion of the concerns of Native Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to enter into a contract with the Boston Educational Marine Exchange or any other private or public nonprofit organization to utilize the Coast Guard cutter Chautaque for the purposes of establishing an exhibit to educate the public regarding the mission of the Coast Guard and to use space and facilities abroad the vessel for marine education activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1978
Amends the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 to extend specified payments to assist refugees in the United States from Cambodia, Vietnam or Laos. Increases from $25,000,000 to $40,000,000 the amount available for special projects administered wholly or in part by State, local, or private agencies for such refugees. Makes any such refugee paroled into the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act after March 31, 1975, eligible to have his status adjusted to that of a permanent resident.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Disapproves the determination of the Secretary of the Treasury, under the Tariff Act of 1930, transmitted to the Congress on June 13, 1978 (waives the imposition of countervailing duties on Canadian fish).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1978
Reaffirms that the North Atlantic Alliance is a vital commitment of the United States. Recognizes the success of the Alliance. Declares Congressional support for strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Alliance and for lessening tensions with the Warsaw Pact countries through arms control agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State: (1) make every effort to negotiate an agreement with Canada to preserve our mutual airshed, protect air resources, and maintain air quality; and (2) take whatever diplomatic actions necessary to reduce or eliminate any undesirable impact on both countries resulting from air pollution from any source.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Formula and Projects Grants for Preventive Health Services and Resources for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act - Title I: Formula and Project Grants for Preventive Health Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in planning for and in meeting the costs of providing preventive health services. States that an application for such a grant shall provide for a detailed plan of a program to reduce, through the prevention of causative conditions, the mortality rates, and, at the option of the applying State, the burden of illness associated with the five leading causes of death in the State. Sets forth specified information to be included in applications for such grants. Requires the Secretary to review annually the activities undertaken by each State pursuant to an approved application. Sets forth a procedure for determining the amount of grants which each State shall receive for planning, providing, and operating preventive health services programs. Requires that all information obtained about any individual under any program that is being carried out with respect to such grants shall not be disclosed without such individual's consent. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, political subdivisions of States, other public entities, or private entities to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining: (1) programs for the screening, detection, diagnosis, prevention, referral for treatment, and follow-up on compliance with treatment of hypertension; (2) programs to immunize children against diseases; (3) community and school-based floridation programs; (4) programs designed to prevent illness caused by factors in the immediate living environment of people; (5) programs to prevent diseases borne by rodents; and (6) comprehensive physical fitness programs. Sets forth specified information to be included in applications for such grants. Requires the Secretary to review annually the activities undertaken by each State pursuant to an approved application. Requires that all information obtained about any individual under any program carried out with respect to such grants shall not be disclosed without such individual's consent. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for comprehensive physical fitness programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for lead-based paint poisoning prevention programs. Sets forth a new method for determining the total amount of grants received by State health and mental health authorities for comprehensive public health services under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through fiscal year 1982. Title II: Resources for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - Directs the Secretary to make grants to meet the costs of planning and developing new centers, and operating existing and new centers, for multidisciplinary health promotion. Directs the Secretary to undertake or support five intensive and comprehensive community based programs to demonstrate and evaluate optimal methods for organizing and delivering comprehensive preventive health services to defined populations. Requires the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics or its equivalent, to submit to Congress on January 1, 1981, and on January 1 of every third year thereafter, a national disease prevention data profile in order to provide a data base for the effective implementation of this Act and to increase public awareness of the prevalence, incidence, and any trends in the preventable causes of death and disability in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Nutritional Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the publication of additional nutritional information on food package labels. Authorizes exemptions from such guideline if the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare finds that a satisfactory labeling requirement of a State or a political subdivision is required by compelling local conditions. Includes distilled spirits, wines, and malt beverages in the definition of food for purposes of the Act. Directs the Secretary to notify the Federal Trade Commission of the nutritional information required to be on food labels and to recommend to the Commissioner which of such information should be required to be included in the advertising of labeled food.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Smoking Deterence Act - Prohibits smoking in any enclosed area open to the public in any Federal facility or in any stairway, elevator, hallway, conveyance, waiting room, reception room, conference room, or hearing room in any facility. Requires smokers to be effectively separated from nonsmokers in any restaurant, cafeteria, snackbar, or lounge in any Federal facility. Requires each instrumentality of the United States: (1) to use reasonable efforts to effectively separate the workplaces of its employees who do not smoke and who wish to be so separated from the workplaces of its employees who do smoke; and (2) to insure the effective separation of smoking and nonsmoking employees in planning, designing, purchasing, leasing, or otherwise obtaining new facilities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a health protection tax on every cigarette manufactured in or imported into the United States based on the number of toxic units, as defined in the Act, contained in the cigarette. Authorizes the appropriation of those amounts received from such taxes to provide preventive health services under the Public Health Service Act. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to prohibit the manufacture, importation, or packaging for sale or distribution of any cigarettes: (1) if the package fails to bear the tar and nicotine content stated in milligrams; and (2) if the package fails to bear one of a number of specified statements. Requires the Secretary to establish a comprehensive program to deter smoking among children and adolescents. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of: (1) the relative risks associated with smoking cigarettes of varying levels of tar and nicotine; and (2) the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes containing any substances commonly added to commercially manufactured cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Extends the design patent (D-119) which is the insignia of the Massachusetts Department of the United America Veterans of the United States of America, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act - Title I: Formula and Project Grants for Preventive Health Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in planning for and in meeting the costs of providing preventive health services. States that an application for such a grant shall provide for a detailed plan of a program to reduce, through the prevention of causative conditions, the mortality rates, and, at the option of the applying State, the burden of illness associated with the five leading causes of death in the State. Sets forth specified information to be included in applications for such grants. Requires the Secretary to review annually the activities undertaken by each State pursuant to an approved application. Sets forth a procedure for determining the amount of grants which each State shall receive for planning, providing, and operating preventive health services programs. Requires that all information obtained about any individual under any program that is being carried out with respect to such grants shall not be disclosed without such individual's consent. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, political subdivisions of States, other public entities, or private entities to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining: (1) programs for the screening, detection, diagnosis, prevention, referral for treatment, and follow-up on compliance with treatment of hypertension; (2) programs to immunize children against diseases; (3) community and school-based fluoridation programs; (4) programs designed to prevent illness caused by factors in the immediate living environment; (5) programs to prevent diseases borne by rodents; and (6) comprehensive physical fitness programs. Sets forth specified information to be included in applications for such grants. Requires the Secretary to review annually the activities undertaken by each State pursuant to an approved application. Requires that all information obtained about any individual under any program carried out with respect to such grants shall not be disclosed without such individual's consent. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for comprehensive physical fitness programs. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1982 for lead-based paint poisoning prevention programs. Sets forth a new method for determining the total amount of grants received by State health and mental health authorities for comprehensive public health services under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through fiscal year 1982. Title II: Resources for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - Directs the Secretary to make grants to meet the costs of planning and developing new centers; and operating existing and new centers, for multidisciplinary health promotion. Directs the Secretary to undertake or support five intensive and comprehensive community based programs to demonstrate and evaluate optimal methods for organizing and delivering comprehensive preventive health services to defined populations. Requires the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics or its equivalent, to submit to Congress on January 1, 1981, and on January 1 of every third year thereafter, a national disease prevention data profile in order to provide a data base for the effective implementation of this Act and to increase public awareness of the prevalence, incidence, and any trends in the preventable causes of death and disability in the United States. Title III: Amendments to the Food Provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to Foster Health Promotion - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the publication of additional nutritional information on food package labels. Authorizes exemptions from such guidelines if the Secretary finds that a satisfactory labeling requirement of a State or a political subdivision is required by compelling local conditions. Includes distilled spirits, wines, and malt beverages in the definition of food for purposes of the Act. Directs the Secretary to notify the Federal Trade Commission of the nutritional information required to be on food labels, and to recommend to the Commission which of such information should be required to be included in the advertising of labeled food. Title IV: Programs Designed to Promote Health Trhough Smoking Deterrance - Prohibits smoking in any enclosed area open to the public in any Federal facility or in any stairway, elevator, hallway, conveyance, waiting room, reception room, conference room, or hearing room in any facility. Requires smokers to be effectively separated from nonsmokers in any restaurant, cafeteria, snackbar, or lounge in any Federal facility. Requires each instrumentality of the United States: (1) to use reasonable efforts to effectively separate the workplaces of its employees who do not smoke and who wish to be so separated from the workplaces of its employees who do smoke; and (2) to insure the effective separation of smoking and nonsmoking employees in planning, designing, purchasing, leasing, or otherwise obtaining new facilities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a health protection tax on every cigarette manufactured in or imported into the United States based on the number of toxic units, as defined in the Act, contained in the cigarette. Authorizes the appropriation of those amounts received from such taxes for use in the provision of preventive health services under the Public Health Service Act. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to prohibit the manufacture, importation, or packaging for sale or distribution of any cigarettes: (1) if the package fails to bear the tax and nicotine content stated in milligrams; and (2) if the package fails to bear one of a number of specified statements. Requires the Secretary to establish a comprehensive program to deter smoking among children and adolescents. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of: (1) the relative risks associated with smoking cigarettes of varying levels of tar and nicotine; and (2) the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes containing any substances commonly added to commercially manufactured cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Health Services and Health Research Amendments - Title I: Appropriation Authorizations - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1979 and for the two succeeding fiscal years for: (1) health statistics and health services research; (2) migrant health programs; (3) community health centers; (4) National Health Service Corps programs; (5) assistance to medical libraries; (6) cancer activities; (7) cardiovascular, lung, and blood activities; (8) National Research Service Awards; (9) population research and family planning services; (10) genetic diseases programs; (11) sudden infant death syndrome programs; (12) hemophilia centers; (13) community mental health centers; (14) rape prevention and control; and (15) home health services and training. Title II: Revisions to Health Services and Health Research Authorities - Authorizes the Surgeon General to provide to public and private entities, for use in research, chemicals and animals that either: (1) are not readily available; or (2) for research purposes need to be produced or maintained on a centralized or standarized basis. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects to demonstrate innovative methods of providing health care to medically underserved populations in nonmetropolitan areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the costs of operating entities which serve medically underserved populations and would normally be eligible for a grant except for the fact that the entities do not provide all primary health services as defined by the Act or have not established governing boards in accordance with the Act. Stipulates that such entities may receive grants, but only if: (1) an entity has received at least three prior grants; (2) there are unusual circumstances preventing compliance; and (3) the population served is not being served by another eligible entity. Requires the Secretary to provide for the care and treatment without charge of any person suffering from Hansen's disease. Requires the Secretary to make payments to the Board of Health of Hawaii for the care and treatment in its facilities of persons suffering from Hansen's disease. Amends the Community Mental Health Centers Act to provide for the carry-over of unspent community mental health center funds into the following year. Stipulates that funds carried over shall be treated as a part of the subsequent grant, and that subsequent grants shall be reduced. Title III: Preventive Health Activities - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make a grant to each State to assist the State in meeting the costs of preventive health activities. Sets forth assurances which each application for such a grant must contain. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the screening, detection, diagnosis, prevention, and referral for treatment of hypertension.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
National Institute for Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, under the Public Health Service Act, to establish in the Public Health Service the National Institute for Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine for the conduct and support of research in the area of physical fitness and sports medicine. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Institute, to make grants to States for the establishment in the office of each Governor, a State Council on Physical Fitness. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts to conduct research and establish model projects with regard to the improvement of physical fitness. Requires each project to conduct a nutrition impact study. Establishes in the Institute a National Physical Fitness Advisory Council. Authorizes the Council to advise and assist the Director of the Institute with respect to programs authorized in the Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a program of formula grants, administered by the State councils to: (1) support the training of individuals in the field of sports medicine and athletic training and placement of these individuals; (2) explore personnel sharing arrangements for specialists in sports medicine and athletic training; and (3) conduct research in each State into the problem of athletic injuries in interscholastic and intrascholastic sports. Requires the Institute to establish a program of project grants to: (1) conduct research into training and conditioning techniques; and (2) conduct research into athletic protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for increases in the cost of refined petroleum products due to the imposition of duties or fees on such products by the President pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Limits eligibility for such credit to residential users, hospitals, churches, and educational institutions. Limits the amount of allowable credit to $75 for an individual taxpayer. Reduces the amount of allowable credit by 75 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of such individual exceeds $20,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to refund in advance one-fourth of the taxpayer's tentative credit under this Act for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Civil Rights Commission Act - Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Amends such Act with respect to: (1) the compensation of Civil Rights Commission members; (2) the deadline for a report by the Commission to the Congress on violations of civil rights; (3) establishment of advisory committees to the Commission; and (4) vacancies on the Commission. Amends such Act to require the Commission: (1) to study age and handicap discrimination; (2) to review related Federal law policies; and (3) to serve as a clearinghouse for information regarding such discrimination; (4) to establish a civil rights advisory commission in each State; and (5) to investigate allegations of age or handicap discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
National Workers' Compensation Standards Act - Establishes minimum standards for State workers' compensation laws. Provides that the employers in any State in which the laws do not meet the minimum standards shall be required to pay to any employee the difference between the State payments and the payments the Federal standards would require. Authorizes grants to States to assist them in achieving compliance with the minimum standards set forth in this Act. Vests administrative responsibility for these provisions in the Department of Labor. Establishes a National Workers' Compensation Advisory Commission to monitor the progress of the States in meeting the standards established by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, by rule making proceedings, standards for determining whether diseases arise out of the course of employment and cause death or disability. Requires any such standard to be a minimum standard for State workers' compensation laws for that disease.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1978
Expresses the sorrow of the Senate for the death of Aldo Moro. Condemns the Red Brigade for this murder. Declares it the sense of the Senate that Italy deserves the praise of the United States for its efforts to prevent this murder. Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President should instruct the Ambassador to the United Nations to press for consideration of proposals to end terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1978
Tuition Advance Fund Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of Education to establish a system of undergraduate tuition advances to be repaid as an income tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Establishes a trust fund in the United States Treasury for such tuition advance program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Authorizes Federal employees under the Freedom of Information Act to disclose any information which an agency is required to make available to the public under such Act, and any information which is requested in writing by a Member of Congress when disclosure is not subject to the Act. Prohibits the dismissal, transfer, or other adverse personnel action or threat of such action in retaliation for such release of information by such employee. Establishes the presumption that the taking of such adverse action against such employee within one year after such disclosure is in retaliation for such disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Establishes the President's Commission on the Victims of the Holocaust for the purpose of considering and developing plans for the design, construction, and location of a permanent memorial in the United States to the victims of the Holocaust. Terminates the Commission within one year after the submission of its final report. Requires that such report be submitted to the Congress and the President within 18 months after the effective date of this resolution. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Older Americans Act Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aging. Authorizes a recipient of a grant under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enter into an agreement with a profitmaking organization to carry out the provisions of such Act. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into new cooperative arrangements with providers of social or nutrition services, multipurpose senior centers, or legal services, for the planning and provision of social services, nutrition services, multipurpose senior centers, or legal services. Defines terms used in such Title. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979, 1980, and 1981 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to divide the State into areas and to designate as a planning and service area any unit of general purpose local government which has a population of 50,000 or more individuals aged 60 or over which contains 15 percent or more of the State population aged 60 or over. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for any of the following social services: (1) health, continuing education, welfare, informational, recreational, homemaker, counseling, or referral services; (2) transportation services to facilitate access to social services or nutrition services, or both; (3) services to assist older persons to use the services available to them; (4) services to assist older persons to obtain adequate housing; including residential repair and renovation projects; (5) services designed to assist older persons in avoiding institutionalization, including preinstitution evaluation and screening and home health services, homemaker services, shopping services, escort services, reader services, letter writing services, and other services to assist independent living in a home environment; (6) services to provide legal and counseling assistance; (7) services to enable older persons to attain and maintain physical and mental well-being through programs of regular physical activity; or (8) any other services meeting standards prescribed by the Commissioner and necessary for the general welfare of older persons. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for: (1) the establishment and operation of nutrition projects for older persons which, five or more days a week, provides, in a congregate setting, at least one meal per day each of which assures a minimum of one- third of the daily recommended dietary allowances; (2) the establishment and operation of multipurpose senior centers for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services or nutrition services, or both, for older persons; (3) the provision of legal services for the elderly; and (4) the conduct of projects under which a State long-term care ombudsman receives and investigates complaints made by or on behalf of older persons who are residents of long-term care facilities relating to administrative action which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of such residents. Declares that, under the Act, a national manpower policy shall be developed for the field of aging which will reflect the present and future needs for training personnel in all programs serving the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of conducting studies on: (1) the utilization of services under this Act and other programs for the elderly, with special attention to accessibility to low-income and minority elderly; (2) the problems of State and area agencies on aging and other service providers in operating transportation services, (3) the impact of this Act and other programs in meeting the long-range needs of the elderly population; and (4) the differences in unit costs, service delivery and access between rural areas and urban areas for services assisted under this Act and the special needs of the elderly residing in rural areas. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which will demonstrate methods to expand or improve social services and promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; (5) to meet the special needs of, and improve the delivery of services to older persons who are not receiving adequate services under other provisions of this Act; and (6) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and enter into contracts with appropriate bodies to support programs of legal services and ombudsman programs established under provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to support the development of comprehensive, coordinated systems of community long-term care for older persons. Requires such grants to be used for the development of programs which provide a full continuum of services supporting alternatives to institutional living, including: (1) adult day health; (2) individual assessment of need, service plan development, monitoring, and evaluation of service effectiveness; (3) supported living in public and private, nonprofit housing; (4) family respite services; (5) preventative health services; (6) home health, homemaker, and other rehabilitative and maintenance in-home services; (7) geriatric health maintenance organizations; and (8) other services which the Commissioner determines are appropriate. Redesignates Title IV (Training and Research) of the Act "Training, Research, and Demonstration. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for multidisciplinary centers of gerontology. Redesignates Title V of the Act "Grants for Indian Tribes. 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 older persons. 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. Redesignates Title VI of the Act "Community Service Employment for Older Americans." States that such Title may be cited as the Older American Community Service Employment Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to estabLish an older American community service employment program to promote part-time opportunities in community service activities for unemployed, low-income persons 55 years old who have poor employment prospects. States that eligible individuals employed in such projects shall not be considered to be Federal employees. Provides that in awarding grants or contracts for such projects the Secretary shall give special consideration to national organizations which have a proven ability to provide older persons with employment. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Title. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - States that this Title may be cited as the 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act. Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) to identify any federally assisted activity in which persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Lobbying Reform Act - Requires annual registration of any organization which expends at least $1,250 per calendar quarter for lobbying purposes, employs any person as a lobbyist for 24 hours or more per quarterly filing period, or two or more such persons for at least 12 hours each per such period, or which expends in excess of $5,000 per quarter to engage any other person as a lobbyist. Requires such organizations to file quarterly lobbying reports disclosing the identity of paid lobbyists, amounts paid to such lobbyists, and the issues such lobbyists sought to influence during the quarter. Requires the annual registration of organizations acting through their own paid officers or employees engaging in 15 or more oral lobbying communications in any quarterly filing period. Permits the filing of abbreviated quarterly filing reports for organizations required to file solely because of the number of oral lobbying communications made by their own personnel. Requires organizations which have submitted any bid or proposal for any Government contract valued at $10,000,000 or more to file annual reports until such contract or grant is awarded disclosing any attempts such organization has made to influence such award. Specifies the required contents of such reports including: (1) identity of any employee seeking to influence such award who, during the past five years, was a Federal employee of the agency responsible for the award who was paid in excess of the highest rate specified for pay grades GS-11, O-4, or W-2, as the case may be; (2) specified gifts made to Federal officers or employees in excess of $35; and (3) an itemized listing of each expenditure for any reception, dinner, or similar event where the total cost of such event exceeds $500. Specifies recordkeeping and report preparation requirements for any organization required to file under this Act. Requires the Comptroller General, with whom such registrations and reports must be filed, to investigate possible violations of this Act and to establish cross-indexing systems to reveal the identity of individuals employed as lobbyists by more than one organization, and to establish similar cross-indexing systems with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice to identify persons mentioned in reports filed under this Act and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 or the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Directs the Comptroller General to make available to the public copies of reports filed under this Act and summaries of data in such reports. Forbids the use of information secured under this Act for commercial purposes. Imposes upon the Comptroller General the duty to render advisory opinions with respect to the requirements of this Act upon which seekers of such opinions may justifiably rely. Directs the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General any actions or omissions which it is believed constitute violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil actions where appropriate and requires the prosecution of criminal actions where appropriate. Imposes civil and criminal sanctions for the violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Eliminates the requirement that States have a program of matching the Federal amounts of veterans' accelerated educational assistance payments in order for a veteran to be eligible for such accelerated payments. Increases the rate at which such accelerated assistance payments may be paid per school term.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Highway and Public Transportation Improvement Act - Title I: Amendments to Title 23, United States Code - Amends Title 23, United States Code (Highways), to revise specified definitions contained in such title. Modifies the definition of "construction" to include highway maintenance (thereby allowing States to use Federal system funds for maintaining projects constructed on a Federal system) and to include construction of public transportation projects within the scope of such title. Eliminates the secondary Federal-aid system. Establishes a "small urban and rural" Federal-aid highway system. Stipulates that funds apportioned to each State for the primary and urban Federal-aid systems may be spent for any project on the urban system or the small urban and rural system to the extent that such apportionment is attributable to urbanized areas, and small urban and rural areas. Expands the urban system to include all transportation projects in urbanized areas except Interstate highway projects. Stipulates that the Secretary of Transportation may withdraw approval of an Interstate highway within a State upon request of the Governor and local governments concerned (previously such requests were to be made by the State highway department). Stipulates that, upon the joint request of the Governor and the local governments concerned, the Secretary may approve substitute projects for Interstate projects for other areas within a State (previously substitute projects were limited to the corridor or area from which the route was withdrawn). Stipulates that the Federal share for such a substitute project shall be 90 percent of its cost. Directs the Secretary, in determining cost estimates for withdrawn Interstate routes, to increase or decrease such cost in accordance with the increase or decrease in construction materials and labor to construct such a substitute project in the local market where the project is located. Requires States to either submit environmental impact statements on all Interstate projects or to withdraw such projects for substitute projects by September 30, 1982. Authorizes Interstate withdrawal after such date if the project is subject to judicial or administrative constraints on or after such date. Requires that all Interstate segments be under construction by September 30, 1986, unless sufficient Interstate funds are unavailable or unless such construction has not commenced due to judicial or administrative restraint. Stipulates that any Interstate segment or substitute project which is not constructed by September 30, 1986, shall become a separate and individual project requiring separate authorizations and appropriations. Ends Interstate apportionments as of such date. Increases the Interstate apportionments which may be set aside by the Secretary for transportation planning. Stipulates that the Governor of a State or the designated planning organization shall submit a single program of proposed projects to the Secretary for funding under either title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 as soon as practicable after apportionments have been made for such Acts. Removes the requirement that projects be selected with the concurrence of the State highway department. Stipulates that in approving programs of projects, priority be given to the reconstruction of hazardous highways. Prohibits the Secretary from approving transportation projects unless all reasonable alternatives have been considered and the proposed project minimizes specified adverse environmental, health, and economic effects. Authorizes the use of funds under title 23 for the acquisition of rights-of-way for all Federal-aid systems (previously such funds could be used only to acquire rights-of-way for highway systems). Requires the Secretary to promulgate guidelines to assure that possible adverse economic, social, and environmental effects relating to proposed projects under title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 are minimized. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to issue regulations to reduce noise levels at existing Federally funded transportation facilities. Requires an area not meeting such standards to utilize at least five percent of its apportionment under title 23 and five percent of its apportionment under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to retrofit such facilities to meet such standards. Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to issue regulations to assure that all federally funded transportation projects (previously only highways) are consistent with air quality implementation plans under the Clean Air Act in areas violating Clean Air Act standards. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any highway project which would increase the vehicular or weightbearing capacity of any highway unless it conforms with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Requires that new title 23 projects provide for safe and convenient crossing points for pedestrians and bicyclists. Repeals the provision which allows the Secretary to discharge any responsibilities under title 23 to the States. Authorizes any State or designated recipient of title 23 funds to impose tolls on highways for the purpose of managing peak load demand on vehicular traffic. Prohibits the use of funds from such tolls for highway purposes (except for the operation and maintenance of the toll facilities). Sets forth the apportionment formula for small urban and rural transportation assistance under title 23. Requires that States formulate five-year as well as long-range transportation plans to be eligible for Federal funding under title 23. Requires approval by the Secretary of such plans for project eligibility. Sets forth determinations to be made by the Secretary in approving such plans. Sets forth judicial review procedures with respect to final actions of the Secretary regarding transportation projects or plans. Authorizes the Secretary to approve as a project eligible for funding under title 23 or the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, the construction of exclusive or preferential bus lanes, highway traffic control devices, bus passenger loading areas and facilities, and fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities to serve bus and other public transportation passengers. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a bridge safety rehabilitation or replacement project which would result in increased traffic capacity. Stipulates that urban system funds are to be allocated directly to urbanized areas having a population of 50,000 or more. Stipulates that urban system funds attributable to urban areas of more than 5,000 but less than 50,000 population shall be allocated in accordance with a fair and equitable formula developed by the State. Stipulates that funds allocated to an urbanized area may, upon approval of the local elected officials of the area and the Secretary, be transferred to the allocation of another such urbanized area in the State or to the State for use in any urbanized area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and designated recipients for the construction or improvement of bicycle lanes. Directs the Secretary to establish construction standards for bicycle projects. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for such grant program for fiscal years 1979 through 1982. Requires States after October 1, 1980, to have a single State transportation agency to discharge the duties required by title 23 and the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 and which shall have authority for the development of multi-modal transportation programs, planning, and policy in such State. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States and urbanized area planning organizations for projects for the development of transportation plans and programs required under title 23 and the Urban Mass Transportaton Act of 1964. Stipulates that the Federal share of the development of such a plan shall be 80 percent of its cost unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal program would be better served without matching funds. Title II: Termination of Highway Trust Fund - Terminates the Highway Trust Fund as of September 30, 1978. Stipulates that funding for title 23 projects shall be made from the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Adolescent Health, Services, and Pregnancy Prevention and Care Act - Makes findings concerning the health, social, and economic consequences of unwanted initial and repeat pregnancies among adolescents and declares the purpose of this Act to be the prevention of unwanted adolescent pregnancies and the provision of proper care to pregnant adolescents. Title I: Grant Program - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to public and nonprofit private organizations (grantees) to coordinate their services for the purposes of preventing unwanted adolescent pregnancies and providing care for infants born to adolescents. Sets forth purposes for which grantees may use funds under this Act. Includes among such purposes: (1) the coordination of services aimed at preventing unwanted initial and repeat adolescent pregnancies; (2) the referral of pregnant adolescents or adolescent mothers to maternal health care services; and (3) the supplementation of inadequate local services and care designed to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancies. Prohibits grantees from establishing income eligibility requirements for the receipt of services funded by this Act or from charging fees for such services, except pursuant to a fee schedule approved by the Secretary. Establishes priorities in choosing which organizations shall receive grants, based upon the incidence of adolescent pregnancies in a particular area served by an organization, the organization's ability to provide services, and other factors. Sets forth the information which a grant application must contain. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this Act. Title II: Improving Coordination of Federal and State Programs - Directs the Secretary to coordinate Federal policies and programs which provide services designed to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancies. Sets forth measures which the Secretary is required to take to coordinate such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Venereal Disease Amendments - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for projects and programs for the prevention and control of venereal disease. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and maintain a corps of not less than 850 noncommissioned officers and employees of the United States to advise and otherwise engage in the conduct of programs and projects for the prevention and control of venereal disease.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Title I: Establishment of Park - Establishes, in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Historical Park and an adjacent Lowell Historic Preservation District. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Title II: Role of the Secretary - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a park management plan to Congress. Provides for consultation with the Lowell city manager, the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission, established by this Act, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in setting preservation, restoration, and use standards. Sets requirements for acquisition of specified property within the park and preservation district. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance in preservation, restoration, and other use of park properties. Permits withholding of park management plan funds by the Secretary if the city of Lowell fails to meet specified criteria. Title III: Role of the Commission - Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission to administer the preservation district. Requires the Commission to file park preservation plans with the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to publish notice of the approval of park preservation plans in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Secretary, prior to the approval of a park preservation plan to acquire property within the park which: (1) is identified in the report of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission as property which should be preserved and restored; (2) is listed in the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) is determined by the Secretary to be of national significance. Directs the Commission to make loans, grants, and technical assistance for the preservation, restoration, or development of the park. Provides for the acquisition and disposition of property by the Commission. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the holding of hearings, and provides for the staff of the Commission.
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