United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments - Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require that Medicare and Medicaid payments be made directly to the physician or other person providing the service involved. Allows payment in accordance with an assignment from the person or institution providing care or service if such assignment is made to a governmental agency or entity or is established by the order of a court of competent jurisdiction or to an agent of such person or institution if the agency does so pursuant to an agency agreement under which the compensation to be paid to the agency for his services or in connection with the billing or collection of payments due such person or institution under the plan is unrelated to the amount of such payments or the billings thereof, and is not dependent upon the actual collection of any such payment. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall by regulation (or by contract provision) provide that any entity (other than a public agency) which is a provider or supplier that furnishes or arranges for the furnishing of items or services with respect to which payment is claimed under Title XVIII, Title V (Maternal and Child Welfare), or under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to a party to an agreement with the Secretary under such titles shall promptly comply with any request, specifically addressed to that entity by the Secretary or the Comptroller General of the United States, for information concerning ownership, control, or costs of such entities. Increases the maximum penalty for defrauding the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to sign and issue subpoenas for the purpose of any audit, investigation, examination, analysis, review, evaluation, or other function authorized by law with respect to any program authorized under this Act. Requires the Secretary to suspend any physician or practitioner from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs whenever such individual is convicted of a criminal offense related to their involvement in such programs. Conditions participation in or certification or recertification under the programs established by titles XVIII, XIX, and XX (Grants to States for Services) upon disclosure of the name of any person who: (1) has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of five percent or more in such provider, institution, organization, or agency; and (2) has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the involvement of such person in any of such programs. Prohibits expenditure under the Medicaid plan to the extent that any agency, organization, or other person (other than a member of the individual's family) would have been obligated by a State law or contract to provide such care or services but for a provision of the State law or contract which limits or excludes such obligation because the individual is eligible for or receives care or services under the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to permit enforcement of any executive order restricting the importation of Rhodesian chrome, pursuant to any United Nations Security Council resolution. Requires that steel mill products containing chromium may not be imported while such executive order is in effect without filing a certificate of origin with the Secretary of the Treasury unless such shipment is released by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Federal Tanker Safety and Marine Anti-Pollution Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to require compliance with the mandatory vessel traffic system established by the Coast Guard. Directs the Coast Guard to develop additional monitoring systems and technologies designed to control vessel traffic in congested areas. Requires that vessels contain specified navigational equipment. Requires that vessels be constructed in accordance with specific requirements so as to reduce the possibility of accidents and resultant damage. Establishes procedures for enforcement and inspection by the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating. Directs the Secretary to establish a coordinated program of experimentation with methods to reduce oil spill incidents and minimize damages. Imposes civil penalties for discharges of oil into the aquatic and terrestrial environment in harmful quantities upon owners and operators of vessels, offshore facilities, and licensees of deepwater ports. Imposes criminal penalties for failure to report oil spills. Imposes strict liability, within specified limits, for cleanup costs incurred in connection with oil spills. Establishes the Federal Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Administration within the Department of Transportation. Directs the Administration to establish and maintain a Federal Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Authorizes expenditures from the Fund for: (1) administrative and personnel purposes; (2) cleanup costs resulting from oil spills caused solely by an act of war or by Government negligence; (3) other uncompensated oil spill damages; and (4) research into methods of oil spill prevention and control. Imposes a five-cent per barrel fee on owners of oil at the time of transfer to collect monies for the Fund. Requires that owners or operators of vessels and offshore facilities establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility. Establishes procedures for adjudication of claims arising under this Act. Authorizes States to impose more stringent requirements. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979, for the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Establishes within the judicial branch a United States Commission on Sentencing to, among other functions, promulgate and distribute suggested sentencing ranges and guidelines for Federal courts. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court in imposing a term of imprisonment, a fine, or a term of probation, including: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence to adequately deter criminal conduct; (3) whether other less restrictive sanctions have been applied to the defendant frequently or recently; and (4) any guidelines established by the commission. Requires a court in every case in which it imposes a term of imprisonment to make as part of the record and to disclose in open court to the defendant at time of sentencing a statement of the reasons for the sentence imposed. Provides that in any case in which a sentence has been imposed, with the exception of certain cases involving plea agreements, a petition for review of such sentence may be filed with a United States court of appeals by (1) the United States if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment less than the minimum established by law or the minimum established by the sentencing guidelines of the Commission, or (2) the defendant if the sentence includes a fine or term of imprisonment more than the maximum established by law or the maximum established by the sentencing guidelines. Directs the court of appeals to overturn the sentence if it finds that (1) the Commissions guidelines were properly applied but that the sentence imposed outside the guidelines was otherwise clearly unreasonable, or (2) that the sentence imposed was within the guidelines but was otherwise clearly erroneous.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to acquire on behalf of the United States the house and lot in Adams, Massachusetts, where Susan B. Anthony was born. Provides that the Secretary, acting through the National Park Service, shall administer such premises as a national historic site.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Kennedy-Stevens Commercial Fishing Industry Revitalization Act - Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to establish the Fishing Industry Revitalization Fund, and to appropriate to the Fund for each fiscal year commencing January 1, 1977, an amount equal to the gross receipts from customs duties on fishery products during the calendar year containing the first day of the fiscal year. Repeals the appropriation of 30 percent of such gross receipts to the Department of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make all such funds available to the Regional Fishery Management Councils to carry out their duties under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. Makes appropriations to the Fund for each fiscal year beginning October 1, 1976, of an amount equal to the penalties, fines, and forfeitures assessed for violations of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations for the allotment of funds for commercial fishing industry revitalization by the Councils, under specified criteria. Prohibits use of such funds for administrative expenses of the Councils or the Secretary, except those related to the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. Permits the Councils to provide grants and loans to increase the efficiency or improve the capability of commercial fishermen and the fishing industry. Directs the Secretary to guarantee the payment of such indebtedness, under specified criteria, and to collect fees for such guarantees. Sets forth procedures for (1) collection of such indebtedness under guarantees of the Secretary and (2) subrogation of the rights of the Secretary. Directs the Attorney General, upon the request of the Secretary, to enforce the rights of the Secretary or the United States with respect to such payment. Stipulates the disposition of sums or property received in satisfaction of such claims. Authorizes the Secretary to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury, if sums available to the Secretary of Commerce are insufficient to meet obligations under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon petition and a finding that any person is unable to meet obligations under this Act, (1) to modify or refinance such obligation, (2) to make a supplemental loan to such person, or (3) to make a grant to such person to be applied to such obligation. Sets forth procedures for the approval of assistance for commercial fishing programs by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Establishes the Nantucket Sound Islands Trust in the State of Massachusetts for the purpose of protecting the national interest in the preservation and conservation of the natural, scenic, ecological, historic and other values and resources of the Nantucket Sound Islands. Designates Norman's Land Island in Massachusetts as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Provides for the establishment of Trust commissions for such islands by the Governor of Massachusetts. Makes the Secretary of the Interior responsible for enforcement of the land use control plans of the commissions under this Act. Sets forth the specific boundaries of the Trust. Provides for the classification of island land according to use as part of the land use control plans. Requires that the extent of specified Indian common lands be determined in an orderly program as a part of a land control plan under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary annually to defray the expenses of the commissions established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Establishes the Boston Harbor National Recreation Area in Massachusetts. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a planning commission for such Area. Enumerates criteria upon which the Secretary is to approve or disapprove the Commission's plan. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants totaling $20,000,000 to state and local units of government having responsibility for implementing the final approved plan. Establishes a special account in the Treasury of the United States to hold monies to be used for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire and maintain the site in Auburn, Massachusetts, on which Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-propelled rocket. Authorizes such appropriations as necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and National Community Based Organizations Job Creation and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) contact Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the provision of skills training to certain types of unemployed persons through such centers; and (2) contact other national community based organizations, such as the Urban League and union-related organizations, for the provision of comprehensive employment services, including counseling, job creation and development, remedial education, and followup. Directs the head of each agency having administrative authority with respect to specified Federal grant and construction programs to take steps to assure that special consideration be given national community based organizations in providing employment services and job opportunities for unemployed persons pursuant to such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Endorses the President-elect's program of pardoning Vietnam-era draft resisters who have not been prosecuted under the Military Selective Service Act. Requests the President-elect to extend the program to grant amnesty to all Vietnam-era resisters convicted under such Act, and to each member and former member of the Armed Forces who during the Vietnam era deserted, whether or not he or she was tried and convicted by a court-martial, or was convicted by a court-martial for being absent without leave. Urges the President-elect to upgrade to honorable discharges all general and undesirable discharges issued to former members of the Armed Forces who served during the Vietnam era, and to review on a case-by-case basis every bad conduct and dishonorable discharge to determine whether such discharge should be upgraded.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Tax Act - Provides for the termination of any law or regulation which allows a special tax exclusion, exemption, deduction, credit, deferral or preferential tax rate after five years, or upon the initial termination date established by the Congress under this Act for each such provision. Requires the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance to review each such provision before its termination date and determine whether renewal should be recommended to the Congress. Provides for supportive and ancillary roles by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Committees on the Budget, the Department of the Treasury, General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Office of Technology Assessment and Congressional Research Service.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Federal Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Prohibits the discharge of oil in harmful quantities (as determined by the President under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act), and assesses a civil fine of up to $10,000 against the owner, operator, or licensee of the discharging vessel or facility. Prescribes criminal penalties for the failure of persons in charge of a vessel to notify the appropriate agency of the United States Government of such discharge. Directs the President to act to remove discharged oil unless he determines that such removal will be done properly and expeditiously by the owner or operator of the vessel, onshore or offshore facility, or deepwater port, from which the discharge occurs. Stipulates that all costs, including administrative, incurred by the President, Secretary, or any other person, of cleanup and other actions to minimize damages resulting from a discharge shall be borne by the owner and operator or licensee of the operation from which the discharge occurred up to $150 per gross ton of the responsible vessel. Imposes strict liability on owners and operators of vessels at onshore and offshore facilities and deepwater ports, for damages caused by oil spills, unless it can be shown that such discharge was caused by an act of war. Limits the liability of owners or operators of onshore and offshore facilities and licenses of deepwater ports to the following amounts: (1) $50,000,000, in the case of an onshore facility; (2) $50,000,000, in the case of an offshore facility; and (3) $100,000,000, in the case of a deepwater port. Establishes in the Department of Transportation an agency to be known as the Federal Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Administration to establish and maintain the Federal Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and to act as trustee of the natural resources of the marine environment. Authorizes disbursement of monies from the Fund for payment of damage not actually compensated under this Act, cleanup costs, and research into methods to prevent, contain, and remove discharges. Stipulates monies shall be deposited into the Fund through the levy and collection by the Administration of a 5-cent-per-barrel fee imposed on the owner of oil when the oil is transferred between: (1) a vessel and an onshore or offshore facility; (2) offshore or onshore facilities; or (3) a vessel and a deepwater port. Requires each owner or operator of a vessel or an onshore or offshore facility and each licensee to establish and maintain under rules and regulations prescribed by the Administrator, evidence of financial responsibility based on the tonnage of the vessel, the capacity of the facility or deepwater port, and other relevant factors. Directs the Administrator to prescribe and from time to time to revise regulations for the filing, processing, settlement, and adjudication of claims for cleanup costs and damages resulting from the discharge of oil. Sets forth procedures for public access to information concerning any communication, document, report, or information transmitted between any official of the Federal Government and any person concerning liability and compensation for damage resulting from the discharge of oil. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for the administration of this Act: $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1977; $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978; and $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1979 and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act - Title I: Establishment of Goals, Planning, and General Economic Policies - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to declare that all adult Americans able, willing, and seeking work have the right to useful paid employment at fair rates of compensation. States that, in moving toward the goal of full employment, it shall be an objective to maintain trends in the ratio of private employment to civilian public employment and that the first priority is to expand conventional private jobs through policies made available under this Act. Directs the President in each annual Economic Report to recommend numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power, as well as policies to support these goals and achieve balanced growth and full employment. Requires the preparation of a Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, prepared with the assistance of Economic Advisers and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Requires that such plan set forth foreseeable social and economic goals; provide estimates of unmet social and economic needs; identify available and needed resources; and contain long-term economic goals including: (1) full employment goals set at the number of jobs to be provided in order to reduce unemployment to the minimum level of functional unemployment consistent with efficient job search and labor mobility, (2) full production goals set at levels of output estimated to be yielded by achievement of full employment goals, and (3) full purchasing power goals set at levels estimated to be necessary for attaining and maintaining full employment and production while contributing to an equitable distribution of purchasing power. States that in achieving such goals the President shall include the objective of holding the annual rate of price increases to levels consistent with reasonable price stability. Requires the full employment goal to be consistent with an adult unemployment rate not in excess of three percent. Requires that the plan propose priority policies and programs to support full employment and balanced growth and enumerates sectors of the economy to be included in such policies and programs. Directs the President to submit proposals improving the efficiency and economy of the Federal Government. Requires the Presidents' Budget and Economic Report to set forth the level and composition of Federal expenditures, tax policy, and monetary policy consistent with and in promotion of the goals and policies contained in this Act. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to report to the President and Congress, identifying the extent to which the Federal Reserve will support the economic goals recommended by the President. Stipulates that each Economic Report contain a comprehensive set of anti-inflation policies to supplement monetary and fiscal policy. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Full Employment and Balanced Growth to advise and assist the Council of Economic Advisers. Directs the Council of Economic Advisers to prepare the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan and to consult with the Advisory Committee. Title II: Countercyclical, Structural, and Youth Employment Policies - Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 90 days after the enactment of this Act a proposal, together with necessary legislation, establishing permanent supplementary employment policies and programs required to reduce high unemployment arising from cyclical movements in the economy. Specifies types of programs which should be considered by the President in establishing component parts of such proposal and the means to be utilized in coordinating them. Requires the President to transmit to Congress within such period legislation creating a permanent grant program related to the stabilization and needed growth of State and local budgets. Directs the President to transmit to Congress within 180 days after the enactment of this Act (1) a comprehensive regional and structural employment proposal designed to reduce chronic underutilization of human and capital resources in certain areas of the country and in groups within the labor force, and (2) legislation providing institutional means to encourage public and private investment in areas with substantial unemployment and to provide an alternative source of capital funds for local and State governments to finance public facilities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress legislation creating a comprehensive youth employment program which utilizes existing resources and facilities and provides additional employment programs. Directs the President to provide job opportunities through reservoirs of federally operated public employment projects and approved private nonprofit employment projects to the extent that willing, able adults are not otherwise provided job opportunities. Establishes, within the Department of Labor, a Full Employment Office to assist in creating such employment opportunities. Directs the President to transmit to Congress a proposal, together with such legislation as is necessary, on how the income maintenance and employment policies can be integrated to insure that employment is substituted for income maintenance to the maximum extent feasible. Title III: Policies and Procedures for Congressional Review - Requires the Joint Economic Committee to carry out overall review of executive branch policies under this Act. Requires the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to review the fiscal policy, economy in government policies, and Federal budget priorities recommended by the President. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to review and make recommendations to Congress on annual numerical goals for employment, production, and purchasing power proposed by the President. Provides for Congressional review of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Plan, including reports to the Joint Economic Committee from the standing committees of Congress on matters that relate to the plan, public hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and consideration of State and local views on the plan. Establishes a Division of Full Employment and Balanced Growth within the Congressional Budget Office to assist the Joint Economic Committee in the discharge of its duties under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this title, with specified exceptions, be incorporated into the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Title IV: General Provisions - Makes general provisions with respect to nondiscrimination, labor standards, and authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires executive department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, additional district court judges to specified judicial districts of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia, 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 be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast for such offices. 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 · 10 January 1977
Fair Marketing of Petroleum Products Act - Prohibits refiners or distributors of petroleum products from canceling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise, or unless such refiner or distributor withdraws entirely from the sale of refined petroleum products in commerce for sale other than resale in the United States. Limits the marketing activities of a person who is a major market shareholder, as such term is defined in this Act, prohibiting the establishment of new distributorships or retail outlets the personnel of which are under the control of such person or under the control of an entity controlled by such person if such activity would yield to such shareholder a specified share of the market for petroleum products. Sets forth procedural and jurisdictional requirements for suits brought as result of violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish standards with respect to preventive health care for identifiable populations within public health programs funded under such Act. Specifies that such standards shall be developed to identify populations in need and to maintain population-directed preventive health programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Continuing Education in Science and Engineering Act - Authorizes the National Science Foundation to initiate a program of continuing education for individuals with scientific and engineering training who (1) have been engaged in their careers for at least three years; or (2) have had their careers interrupted for at least three years. Requires such program to be designed to provide such persons: (1) with new knowledge and abilities in their special fields; or (2) with knowledge and abilities in other fields enabling them to make a more valuable contribution to the nation. Directs such program to include but not be limited to: (1) the development of special curriculums and education techniques; and (2) the awarding of fellowships to enable persons with scientific and technical training to pursue continued education. Establishes guidelines for the allocation of fellowships. Authorizes the Foundation to contract for the development of courses and curriculums specially designed for its continuing education program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Repeat Offenders Prosecution and Prison Improvement Act - Title I: Financial Assistance for Career Criminal Prosecution Programs - Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to provide grants and technical assistance to certain units of local government having populations of at least 250,000 for the establishment and operation of programs designed to identify and expedite the prosecution of career criminal offenders. Sets forth requirements for grant applications and limits on payments to any single local government. Establishes within the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration of the Department of Justice an Office of Repeat Offenders to administer, disseminate information, and report to the President and Congress on the grant and assistance programs created in this title. Title II: Federal Regional Prison System - Directs the Attorney General to construct five Federal regional prisons to be managed by the Bureau of Prisons. States that not more than 25 percent of the prisoners confined in any such prison may be persons convicted of Federal crimes, the balance of the inmates to consist of State offenders who would otherwise qualify for imprisonment in a Federal medium or maximum security institution and are assigned to a regional prison pursuant to a State contract with the Attorney General. Subjects State prisoners confined in prisons built under this Act to the same discipline and treatment as Federal prisoners and to the same parole standards as State prisoners in the State in which the prisoner was convicted.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Youth Initiatives Act - Title I: Youth Initiatives Programs - Establishes: (1) a national youth service program designed to provide assistance to States, local governments, and public or private nonprofit organizations for the employment of youths; (2) an opportunities in private enterprise program designed to provide assistance to business concerns for the employment of youth; and (3) an Office of Youth Initiatives in the Executive Office of the President. Directs local governments and authorizes States desiring to participate in programs under this title to establish commissions of specified composition, which bodies shall, among other functions, distribute funds and review applications received under such program. Sets forth formula for allocating program funds among and within the States. Authorizes any State, political subdivision thereof, private nonprofit institution, or profit-making concern desiring to carry out a project under this title to transmit an application to the appropriate commission or State. Specifies information to be included in such an application, including: (1) a description of the type of work to be carried out, the type of employment positions to be filled, and the period during which youths would be employed; (2) a description of the opportunities for skill development and job training which will be made available to youths; and (3) a description of the manner in which the local share of the costs will be provided. Requires applicants to provide assurances regarding hiring preferences, administrative costs, and wages. Enumerates criteria for the approval of applications, including findings that a project will: (1) result in the production of goods and services which are valuable to the community and to the nation; (2) provide appropriate counseling and placement services; (3) provide an inventory of job tasks which can be performed by handicapped individuals; (4) provide effective means through which youths participating in the project may acquire basic education and training; and (5) not impair any existing contract, result in the substitution of Federal funds for the performance of work which would be performed in the absence of the availability of such funds, or result in the substitution of jobs receiving assistance under the title for jobs receiving assistance under any other Federal program. Requires States and commissions, in approving projects under this title, to assure that not less than 75 percent of the youths participating in such projects are members of low-income families and meet specified unemployment standards. Restricts the use of Federal funds for any project to not more than 80 percent of its cost. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Office of Youth Initiatives to: (1) monitor programs and projects carried out under title I and to submit a report to Congress and the President with respect to the effectiveness of such operations; and (2) carry out research and development activities relative to youth employment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Makes every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups or non- resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Extends coverage to all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished. Extends coverage to: (1) comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered; (2) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency; and (3) pathology and radiology services as parts of institutional services. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Extends coverage to two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations; and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Lists approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and those available for use outside such organized settings. Declares that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Extends coverage to professional services of optometrists and podiatrists, subject to regulations, and diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. Excludes from coverage: (1) health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law; and (2) services of a professional practitioner if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Allows eligible professional practitioners to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to existing State standards. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals. Makes psychiatric hospitals eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Allows the following to participate as providers of health services under this Act: (1) a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients; (2) a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society; and (3) community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under the Health Security Program. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of medical services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when acting as an employee. Allows reimbursement for any services furnished by such institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State. Grants similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Directs that three separate accounts be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Allocates the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Stipulates that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Directs the Board to divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, equipment; and miscellaneous services. Stipulates that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers shall be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Stipulates that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies shall be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Stipulates that a health organization shall be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services; and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care, to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for the administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member, full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires that the members be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Directs the Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services and the administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Authorizes the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. Stipulates that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to one percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, raising the rate to 2.5 percent. Adds a new one percent Health Security tax on earned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act; and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commission shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Requires that after the effective date of benefits received under this Act no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen and Indians and Alaskan natives and also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Treaty Powers Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Senate that any international agreement which involves a significant political, military, or economic commitment to a foreign country which has not been authorized by statute or treaty and is not entered into pursuant to emergency circumstances constitutes a treaty and should be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent. Provides that the Senate may, by resolution, find that any international agreement hereafter entered into which has not been submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent constitutes a treaty. States that it shall not be in order to consider any bill or joint resolution or any amendment thereto, or any report of a committee of conference, which authorizes or provides budget authority to implement any international agreement which the Senate has found to constitute a treaty unless the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification of such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Committee System Reorganization Amendments - Title I: Standing Committees: Jurisdictions and Sizes - Establishes and defines, pursuant to the Standing Rules of the Senate, the jurisdictions of the Senate committees on Agriculture and Small Business; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; the Budget; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Foreign Relations; Governmental Affairs; Human Resources; the Judiciary; and Rules, Administration, and Standards in lieu of the present standing Senate committees. Title II: Committee Assignments; Chairmanships - States that no Senator may serve on more than two standing and one select, special, or ad hoc committees and no more than two subcommittees of each standing committee and one subcommittee of each select, special, or ad hoc committee of which he is a member. Allows each Senator to serve as chairman of not more than one standing, select, special, or ad hoc committee of the Senate or joint committee of Congress and not more than one subcommittee of any Senate or joint committee of which he is a member. Requires the appropriate Senate committee to report legislation not later than July 1, 1977, terminating specified joint congressional committees and prohibits the referral to or receipt of a report from any joint congressional committee by the Senate. Title III: Multiple Referral of Proposed Legislation; Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees - Requires the presiding officer of the Senate to decide which committee has jurisdiction with respect to any proposed legislation except that such decision shall be subject to appeal. States that upon motion by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates, proposed legislation may be referred to two or more committees jointly or sequentially. Sets forth rules for the establishment of ad hoc committees by resolution proposed by the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designates. Title IV: Scheduling of Committee Meetings - Requires the Committee on Rules, Administration, and Standards of the Senate to maintain a computerized schedule of all meetings of the committees and subcommittees of the Senate and all meetings of the joint committees of the Congress and their subcommittees to be available on-line to terminals in the offices of all Senators, committees of the Senate, and permanent joint committees of the Congress to be updated hourly. Prohibits the meeting of a Senate committee or subcommittee, without special leave, after the first two hours after a meeting of the Senate has commenced and in no case after two o'clock p.m. unless the Majority and Minority Leaders have given their consent. Prohibits Senate members of congressional joint committees from meeting at such times without special leave. Declares it the sense of the Senate that, insofar as possible, roll call votes should not be held before two o'clock p.m. on any day without 24 hours' notice. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 190b) Title V: Continuing Review of the Committee System - Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate to review on a continuing basis the committee system of the Senate and to report the results of such review to the Senate during each Congress. Requires such report to include such Leaders' recommendations for change, if they have such recommendations. Title VI: Amendments not within a Committee's Jurisdiction - Makes out of order any proposed committee amendments which contains matter not within the jurisdiction of the committee proposing such amendment. Title VII: Committee Staffs - Provides for the transfer of committee staffs from the committees existing before the effective date of this Resolution to those committees created by this resolution. Specifies severance pay and other compensation for staff members whose jobs are terminated as a result of the provisions of this resolution or any other action which terminates the committee duties of the Senator for whom such staff member worked for the purposes of assisting such Senator in carrying out such committee duties. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - States that all proposed legislation and nominations referred to the standing committees of the Senate before the effective date of this resolution shall be rereferred on such effective date to the appropriate standing committee.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Transfers responsibility for furnishing certified copies of payment bonds from the Comptroller General to the officer that awarded the public contract for which the bond was given.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Expresses Senate support of the Public Broadcasting Service's petition to the Federal Communications Commission which requests reservation of vertical line twenty-one for television transmission of captioning information for use by hearing impaired individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Waives application of the Congressional Budget Act requirement that new budget authorizations be reported to Congress before May 15th in order to permit Senate consideration of S. 796 (Administrative Procedure Act amendment). States that such waiver is necessary because this bill was part of a package of legislation which was not reported until September 17, and was the only bill therein containing an authorization for new budget authority.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Changes the monetary limitation for the waiver of actions brought by the heads of Federal agencies on claims arising out of the overpayment of pay and allowances from $500 to an amount to be set from time to time by the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1976
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 5546, amending the Public Health Service Act to extend training programs for the health professions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1976
Establishes a Compact of Permanent Union between Puerto Rico and the United States. Delineates the legal and political framework for this union. Recognizes the right of the people of Puerto Rico to govern themselves according to their own Constitution and laws, and the right of the United States Government to exercise authority and powers specified in the Compact. Reserves all other political and governmental authority to Puerto Rico or to the people of Puerto Rico. Recognizes the Supreme Court of the United States as the final adjudicator of this Compact, including the decision as to whether the laws of the United States or of Puerto Rico conform to this compact and applicable provisions of the Constitution of the United States. Grants the United States responsibility for foreign affairs and defense affecting Puerto Rico. Provides that Puerto Rico may conclude educational, cultural, health, sporting, professional, industrial, agricultural, financial, commercial, scientific, and technical agreements with foreign countries and may participate in specialized agencies of international organizations dealing in these matters. Makes all persons born in Puerto Rico citizens of the United States with all attenuant rights, privileges, and immunities, as well as duties. Grants United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico the same rights, privileges and immunities as well as duties established by the Constitution and laws of Puerto Rico. States that the currency of the United States shall be the exclusive currency of Puerto Rico, and all United States law relating to currency, coinage, gold, and silver are applicable to Puerto Rico. Directs that economic, trade, and commercial relations between the United States and Puerto Rico shall be conducted within the framework of the common market between the two entities. Prohibits tariffs, customs, or duties on trade between the two countries and makes provisions for regulating proceeds of customs, duties, licenses and tariffs collected in or in respect to imports into Puerto Rico from other countries. Directs the United States to take into account Puerto Rico's stage of economic development in all international trade negotiations, and to protect and promote Puerto Rico's economic interests. Makes all property acquired in Puerto Rico by the United States under the cession of Spain in the treaty of peace of December 10, 1898, and not subsequently disposed of, the property of Puerto Rico. Permits the United States to use for public purposes all property which is now being used for such purposes. Allows the President of the United States to convey from time to time to Puerto Rico any lands, buildings, or interests in lands or other property of the United States within the territorial limits of Puerto Rico which are deemed no longer necessary for the purposes of the United States. Limits the applicability of United States income tax laws to residents of Puerto Rico to that income derived from United States or foreign sources. Establishes full reciprocity between the United States and Puerto Rico and other bodies politic of the United States. Establishes a voting Representative from Puerto Rico in the United States House of Representatives who shall be elected according to the laws of Puerto Rico. Declares that such a Representative shall have all rights, privileges and immunities of such members as are compatible with the Constitution of the United States and as provided by the House of Representatives. Applies all Federal laws to Puerto Rico which are presently applicable. Sets forth methods for objecting to and denying applicability of future legislation which affects Puerto Rico. Permits the assignment of Federal functions to Puerto Rico which would otherwise be vested in the Government of the United States by law. Sets forth the procedures through which such transfers may occur. Places the primary responsibility for protecting and improving the environmental quality of Puerto Rico with Puerto Rico. States that environmental regulations promulgated by Puerto Rico shall be presumptively valid, and not disapproved or superceded by Federal regulations unless they are determined to be clearly injurious to the health and safety of the Puerto Rican people. Creates a Joint Commission on United States-Puerto Rico Relations to assist in bringing the legal and administrative relations between the United States and Puerto Rico into further conformity with the fundamental objectives of this Compact. Enumerates tasks of the Joint Commission, including: (1) to study desirability of retaining, modifying or eliminating application of specified Federal laws to Puerto Rico, and methods of implementing Commission policy decisions; (2) to study other possible transfers of Federal functions to agencies of Puerto Rico, and methods of implementing such transfers; and (3) to study the desirability of recommending a system of contributory payments from the Government of Puerto Rico to the Treasury of the United States in such ways as to not impede the socio-economic development of Puerto Rico. Establishes a United States district court for Puerto Rico and grants this court the same powers as other U.S. district court. Sets forth the procedures and jurisdiction of the U.S. district court for Puerto Rico in general. Applies all immigration laws, rules, regulations, and procedures of the United States to Puerto Rico. States that in order to become effective, this Compact must be approved by the Congress of the United States and by the electorate of Puerto Rico in a special referendum called for that purpose by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico. Establishes an amending procedure to this Compact, which may be modified only by mutual agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Puerto Rico with the approval of the electorate of Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Condemns the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffit and the serious injury of Michael Moffitt. Urges a complete and thorough investigation by Federal authorities of the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1976
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud Act - Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control. Provides that such Office shall have the overall responsibility for directing and establishing policies with respect to the undertaking of activities which are designed to deal with fraud and abuse in the Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services, Medicare and Medicaid. Specifies that the Office shall also have responsibility for investigating alleged fraud or abuse in any such program, and assisting State agencies, at their request, in the establishment and operation of State antifraud and abuse activities. Directs that no payment for Medicare service may be made to a person claiming such payment under an assignment, including a power of attorney, but may be made to an agent of the person furnishing such service. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or the Comptroller General to require providers or suppliers of items or services, with respect to which payment is claimed under one of the programs within the jurisdiction of the Office, to furnish specified information including the following: (1) the identity of persons having ownership interest in such entity; and (2) a consolidated certified costs report with respect to its costs and charges, including costs and charges of related organizations. Specifies sanctions which shall be imposed upon entities which fail to comply with requests for information. Increases the penalties for defrauding the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Provides that it shall be a felony (presently misdemeanor) punishable by imprisonment of up to five years for such an offense. States that where a Professional Standards Review Organization is found competent by the Secretary to assume review responsibility with respect to specified types of health care services or specified providers or practitioners of such services and is performing such reviews, such reviews shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Kennedy-Stevens Commercial Fishing Industry Revitalization Act - Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to establish the Fishing Industry Revitalization Fund, and to appropriate to the Fund for each fiscal year commencing October 1, 1976, an amount equal to the gross receipts from customs duties on fishery products during the calendar year containing the first day of the fiscal year. Repeals the appropriation of 30 percent of such gross receipts to the Department of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make all such funds available to the Regional Fishery Management Councils to carry out their duties under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. Makes appropriations to the Fund for each fiscal year beginning October 1, 1976, of an amount equal to the penalties, fines, and forfeitures assessed for violations of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations for the allotment of funds for commercial fishing industry revitalization by the Councils, under specified criteria. Prohibits use of such funds for administrative expenses of the Councils or the Secretary, except those related to the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act. Permits the Councils to provide grants and loans to increase the efficiency or improve the capability of commercial fishermen and the fishing industry. Directs the Secretary to guarantee the payment of such indebtedness, under specified criteria, and to collect fees for such guarantees. Sets forth procedures for (1) collection of such indebtedness under guarantees of the Secretary and (2) subrogation of the rights of the Secretary. Directs the Attorney General, upon the request of the Secretary, to enforce the rights of the Secretary or the United States with respect to such payment. Stipulates the disposition of sums or property received in satisfaction of such claims. Authorizes the Secretary to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury, if sums available to the Secretary of Commerce are insufficient to meet obligations under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon petition and a finding that any person is unable to meet obligations under this Act, (1) to modify or refinance such obligation, (2) to make a supplemental loan to such person, or (3) to make a grant to such person to be applied to such obligation. Sets forth procedures for the approval of assistance for commercial fishing programs by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 1976
Urges the President to direct United States Ambassadors abroad to seek the consideration by foreign governments of suspension of their air service to any foreign nation aiding or abetting terrorism. States that the President should undertake international discussions and negotiations which would strengthen the current minimum safety standards established pursuant to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Urges the President to end air transportation between the United States and any foreign nation which violates such act; services violating nations; or does not maintain transportation security sufficient to meet the minimum security standards established pursuant to the Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the Allen Camp unit of the Central Valley project in California. Authorizes the Secretary to replace roads and bridges which would be inundated by the project. Places restrictions on the use of water from such project. Authorizes the appropriation of $64,220,000 for construction of the unit. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1977 of $150,000 under the Indian Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, $1,200,000 under the Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, $1,200,000 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and $632,000 under the Adult Education Act for the continuation of specified grants authorized under those Acts. Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants under authorities contained in the Indian Education Act in specified amounts to applicants not yet funded for fiscal year 1976 from the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
National Influenza Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, conduct, and support activities necessary to carry out a national influenza immunization program. Directs the Secretary to make quarterly reports to Congress on the administration of such activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the scope and extent of liability for personal injuries arising out of immunization programs and of alternative approaches to providing protection against such liability and compensation for such injuries. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such study, along with legislative recommendations, to Congress within one year of enactment of these provisions. Makes the United States liable with respect to claims for personal injury or death resulting from the administration of vaccine under the immunization program. Establishes procedures under which all such claims will be asserted directly against the United States and makes such procedures the exclusive legal remedy.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Disapproves the deferral of budget authority for operating grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation as reported by the Comptroller General of the United States to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in his letter dated July 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Commends the United States Olympic team and the United States Olympic Committee for the achievements of the American athletes at the XXI Olympiad held in Montreal, Canada.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1976
Treaty Powers Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Senate that any international agreement which involves a significant political, military, or economic commitment to a foreign country constitutes a treaty and should be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent. Provides that the Senate may, by resolution, express its sense that any international agreement hereafter entered into which has not been submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent constitutes a treaty. States that it shall not be in order to consider any bill or joint resolution or any amendment thereto, or any report of a committee of conference, which authorizes or provides budget authority to implement any international agreement which the Senate has found to constitute a treaty unless the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification of such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1976
Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make long-term, low interest, incentive loans for investment in fisheries shoreside facilities for underutilized fisheries and fishing vessels for underutilized fisheries. Sets forth the terms for such loans. Requires the Secretary, before approving a loan for the purchase of a new or used vessel, to determine that the applicant's comtemplated operation of such vessel in a fishery will not cause economic hardship or injury to efficient vessels already operating in that fishery. Directs that loans pursuant to this Act shall be made only to citizens or nationals of the United States. Provides that no corporation, partnership, or association organized under the laws of American Samoa shall be deemed a national of the United States unless 75 percent of the interest therein is owned by nationals or citizens of the United States. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury a Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a fund from which to make loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $250,000,000 to provide initial capital for all loans under this Act. Repeals provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 which provide loans for financing or refinancing of the cost of purchasing, constructing, equipping, maintaining, repairing, or operating commercial fishing vessels or gear. Directs that any outstanding loans made under such provisions shall be handled in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1976
Directs the President to establish an Office of Hispanic Affairs within specified executive departments and agencies. Provides that such office shall participate in all policy planning and development for all programs which affect the Hispanic communities. Authorizes the President to take such measures as he determines are necessary to instruct the chairpersons of the ten Federal regional councils to insure that the problems and needs of Hispanics are taken into consideration in decisions related to Federal assistance to State and local governments. Provides that the Secretary of Commerce shall establish and maintain a Hispanic Information Clearinghouse which shall collect, analyze, and disseminate information concerning the social, economic, employment, health, and housing needs and conditions of Hispanics.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1976
National Meals-on-Wheels Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to allow States to distribute Federal funds for the establishment of: (1) projects to provide home-delivered meals to qualified homebound elderly persons; (2) an information and referral system for homebound individuals receiving such meals; and (3) an operation to seek volunteer personnel for the delivery of such meals and to compensate such personnel for related transportation expenses. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for the purpose of providing home-delivered meals under this Act. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to conduct a demonstration project involving at least three States to determine the feasibility of using the meals system designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the elderly as a component of, or substitute for, regular nutrition projects assisted under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary in fiscal year 1977 to carry out this project.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1976
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Attorney General parole into the United States those aliens having fled to Argentina and those Uruguayans within Uruguay who are in danger of losing their lives because of their political beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, under Title XVIII (Medicare), to have a qualified professional psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis, in order to furnish necessary performed psychiatric services, and to permit such nurses to perform specified medical and other health services which are performed by physicians. Defines "qualified professional nurse" to mean an individual who: (1) is licensed to practice nursing by the State in which such function is performed; (2) holds a master's degree in psychiatric nursing or a related field, or practices under the supervision of an individual who has such a degree; and (3) is certified as a psychiatric nurse by the duly recognized professional nurses' organization. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act: (1) to authorize payment for professional services furnished by a qualified professional psychiatric nurse; (2) to prohibit payment for services furnished by any intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility which does not have a qualified psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis; and (3) to prohibit payment for inpatient services furnished by a psychiatric hospital unless such hospital provides to qualified professional nurses the same staff privileges which are extended to physicians.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000105_200.jpg)