United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate interim and definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with appropriate Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act. Establishes a Solar Photovoltaic Energy Advisory Committee to study the need and economic, technological, and environmental consequences of solar photovoltaic energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1978
Authorizes the Attorney General to approve the petitions of two individuals, notwithstanding provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to the number of petitions which may be approved in behalf of children.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a one-time tax exclusion of up to $100,000 of the gain from the sale or exchange of a property used by a taxpayer as his principal residence for at least two years during the three year period prior to the date of the sale or exchange.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1978
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate Committee on Finance consider alternative mechanisms for financing the social security system including the use of general revenues; and (2) if an alternative proposal has not been acted on prior to January 1, 1979, the increases in the social security taxes scheduled to take effect on such date, should be deferred for 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1978
Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to immediately dissolve the Airlines Mutual Aid Pact. Directs the Board to study the collective bargaining process within the airline industry and to make recommendations to Congress within six months on methods of alleviating the occurrence of protracted airline strikes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1978
Expresses the support of the Senate for the nomination of the Public Groups to Promote Observance of the Helsinki Agreement in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1978
Establishes a National Agricultural Cost of Production Board to review, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning, the adequacy and accuracy of the cost-of-production formulas used by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the administration of its price support programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Postal Service Amendments Act - Requires the Postal Service to maintain through October 1, 1982, a postal rate not to exceed 15 cents for the first ounce and 13 cents for each additional ounce for ordinary letters sealed against inspection which are mailed by individuals. Subjects violators of usage of such postal rate to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. Empowers the President to designate the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. Sets forth the duties of the Board which include providing the public with an annual report of the costs and revenues received for each class of mail. Requires the Postal Service to submit to Congress a plan for a research and development program for improving operations by January 15, 1979. Directs the Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission to transmit a copy of any proposal or recommendation for a change in postal rates or services to the appropriate congressional committees. Defines "attributable costs" as used to determine postal rates. Requires the Postal Rate Commission to: (1) study alternative methods of apportioning postal costs; (2) prepare a system of accounts for identifying the costs of each class of mail; and (3) report its findings to Congress by September 30, 1980. Establishes the Task Force on the Mail and Communications to study and make recommendations on the application of new technologies to postal services. Authorizes appropriations to the Postal Service for fiscal years 1979 - 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Entitles the unmarried former spouse of a Federal or Foreign Service employee or Member of Congress who was married to such employee or Member for more than ten years to a share of up to 50 percent of such employee's or Member's annuity and lump-sum benefits, and to a 70 percent share of the annuity of any surviving spouse of such employee or Member, based upon the period of Federal service during which such former spouse was married to the employee or Member.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1978
Domestic Petroleum Supply and Security Act - Amends the Export Administration Act to prohibit the exportation of domestically produced petroleum products as defined in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Allows such petroleum products to be temporarily exported for refining or processing if such products reenter and are consumed in the United States. Sets forth criteria which must be met for domestically produced petroleum products to be exported under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1978
Citizen's Privacy Protection Amendment - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require a subpena duces tecum for the search for and seizure of evidence when anyone acting under color of law has probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is located on or about premises in which the person in possession of the evidence has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Permits issuance of a search warrant instead of a subpena duces tecum only if there is probable cause to believe: (1) the person in possession of the evidence may be involved in the crime under investigation; or (2) the evidence sought to be seized would be destroyed, hidden, or moved if the subpena duces tecum procedures set out in this Act were followed. Creates a cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act, allowing punitive damages of up to $10,000 for each violation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1978
Fair Fund Transfer Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to add the following title: Title IX: Electronic Fund Transfers. Prohibits any financial institution from engaging in any transaction with a customer by means of an electronic terminal without first clearly disclosing to the customer all terms and conditions governing such transfer. States that such disclosure shall include: the consumer's liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers (EFT); the types of transfers the consumer may make; any applicable charges; the consumer's right to reverse a transfer; the financial institution's liability for improper transfer; and the consumer's right to receive electronic fund transfer receipts and account statements. Requires a financial institution to give the customer 21 days notice prior to changing any of the terms of the agreement. States that the consumer must receive a receipt for each transfer affecting the consumer's account at the time of the transfer. Requires financial institutions to provide consumers with a periodic statement for each EFT account. States that receipts and statements required by this Act are to constitute presumptive proof of an EFT payment to a third party. Allows the making of preauthorized transfers only by written authorization from the consumer which shall be revocable at will at any time up to three business days preceding the scheduled transfer. Sets forth a procedure for the resolution of errors which calls for prompt investigation of errors and reply to the consumer. States that if a court finds that a financial institution willfully reported to a consumer that his account was correct when such a conclusion could not reasonably be drawn, such institution is liable for treble damages. Limits a consumer's liability (in the event of an unauthorized cash transfer) to the lesser of $50 or the amount of money obtained. Holds a financial institution liable to a consumer for any failure to make a transfer when properly instructed and for the failure to reverse a transfer. Makes exceptions to such rule in the case of an improper or incorrect transfer if the error was caused by a technical malfunction beyond the control of the institution. Permits a financial institution to issue EFT debit cards or account access codes only in response to an application or in renewal of an existing accepted card. Suspends the consumer's obligation to make payment when a technical malfunction prevents the transfer of funds to a third party who has agreed to accept payment by means of an EFT. Prohibits the conditioning of employment, government benefits, or the extension of credit on the consumer's use of EFT's. Prohibits any agreement which would deprive a consumer of any right granted under this Act. Sets forth the formula for the determination of civil liability. States that any person who willfully and knowingly gives false or inacurrate information, fails to provide information which is required to be disclosed, or otherwise fails to comply with any provision of this title shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Places the enforcement of this title in the case of national banks, Federal Reserve member banks, insured banks, Federal savings and loan associations, and Federal credit unions with their respective regulatory agencies. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this title in all other cases. Directs the Board and the Attorney General to make annual reports to Congress concerning the administration of their functions under this title. Exempts persons from the laws of any State with respect to EFT's only to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any of the terms of this Title.
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
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 · 19 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that an individual's allowable charitable contributions shall be deducted when determining the individual's adjusted gross income, thereby allowing the deduction to individuals who do not itemize.
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 · 4 May 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under the Supplementary Medical Insurance program for lenses prescribed by a physician to improve the eyesight of individuals with severely limited central visual acuity.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1978
Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin Act - Amends the Coinage Act of 1965 to change the size and weight of the one-dollar coin and to require that the obverse side of such coin bear the likeness of Susan B. Anthony.
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 · 25 April 1978
Sugar Stabilization Act - Sets forth the policy of the Congress with respect to foreign trade in sugar. Title I: International Sugar Agreement - Authorizes the President to prohibit the importation of sugar from any country not a member of the International Sugar Organization, and to otherwise regulate foreign trade in sugar to implement the International Sugar Agreement. Establishes civil penalties for the violation of such regulations. Requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report on the Agreement. Title II: Domestic Sugar Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual estimate of the sugar consumption needs of the United States. Establishes a formula for determining the price objectives of domestic sugar. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a quota for the importation of sugar, and to adjust such quota. Authorizes the Secretary to impose an import fee in order to attain the price objective for sugar. Prohibits the established quota from being filled by direct-consumption sugar, except in specified circumstances. Permits the Secretary to suspend such quota and fees under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a quota on the importation of "sugar-containing products. Prohibits the importation of sugar, liquid sugar, or "sugar-containing products" after the import quotas have been filled. Prohibits the importation of certain sugar or liquid sugar into the Virgin Islands in excess of 100 pounds annually. Prohibits the exportation of certain sugar from the United States. Regulates the exportation of sugar. Sets forth items to which the sugar quota shall not apply. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Establishes penalties for the violation of such regulations. Requires certain information to be furnished to the Secretary by persons engaged in the manufacture, marketing, transport, or industrial use, of sugar. Prohibits officials engaged in the administration of this Act to invest in sugar. Establishes penalties for the violation of such prohibition. Authorizes the President to suspend the operation of Title II of this Act in a national emergency. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (1) to conduct surveys and investigations to carry out this Act, and (2) to announce a "daily spot price" for raw sugar in specified circumstances. Terminates the authority of the Secretary under this Act on December 31, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1978
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Skills Training and Private Sector Job Creation Welfare Reform Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to (1) enter into a contract with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated, for the creation of jobs and the provision of skills training for hard-core unemployed welfare recipients in urban and rural depressed areas, and unemployed persons in depressed areas whose unemployment insurance has expired, and (2) enter into contracts with other national community-based organizations, such as the National Urban League, for the provision of comprehensive employment services to such persons. Directs the head of each agency administering authority under any of specified Acts or programs, including the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, the Housing and Community Development Act, and public works assistance programs, to take steps to assure that consideration will be given to national community-based organizations for the provision of comprehensive employment services and job opportunities to welfare recipients pursuant to those Acts and programs.
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
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
Federal Railroad Safety Authorization Act - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety act of 1970 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for expenses of the Office of Safety, State safety programs, expenses of the Federal Railroad Administration and for conducting safety research and development programs. Sets forth limitations on the use of such funds. Amends the Hours of Service Act to define the term "designated terminal" as the home terminal or the away from home terminal of a railroad employee. Limits to ten hours the maximum amount of time which a railroad employee may continuously work without a ten hour off duty period. Prohibits the operation of any freight train exceeding 4,300 feet, exclusive of caboose. Prohibits discrimination against railroad employees who complain of violations of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 or who refuse to operate defective equipment which the employee reasonably believes to be in violation of such Act or regulations promulgated thereunder or who refuses to work in an area where the employee believes there is present an imminent danger to health or safety. Establishes within the Federal Railroad Administration an Office of Occupational Safety and Health to administer the occupational health and safety functions of the Administration. Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of such Office.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Drug Abuse Office, Prevention, and Treatment Amendments - Amends the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act to extend authorizations of appropriations for programs under such Act through fiscal year 1979. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to transmit to the President and Congress an annual report on drug abuse in the United States, including an evaluation and description of the drug abuse functions carried on by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the Secretary to submit a separate report to Congress on drug abuse in rural areas. Requires the National Drug Abuse Strategy developed by the Strategy Council established by the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act to include a mechanism to identify, provide for, and evaluate effective drug abuse prevention programs designed to discourage people from initial experimentation with drugs. Directs State drug abuse agencies to coordinate drug abuse prevention planning with local agencies.
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
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Amendments - Amends the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act to emphasize prevention of alcohol and drug abuse in stating congressional purpose and to expand the focus of the Act to include "approaches" to the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse rather than limiting the scope to curricula. Authorizes grants to State and local educational agencies and other nonprofit agencies to establish demonstration projects for determining the most effective methods of alcohol and drug abuse prevention. Requires that at least 25 percent of such grant money for demonstration projects be used for programs in rural areas. Establishes the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education within the Office of Education. Extends the Act for three years and authorizes appropriations to carry out programs under the Act. Requires that at least 25 percent of the sums appropriated for any fiscal year be used for programs in rural areas.
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 · 10 April 1978
Product and Professional Liability Insurance Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify trusts established for the payment of product and professional liability claims as tax exempt organizations. Allows taxpayers a business income tax deduction for contributions to such trusts only to the extent they do not exceed the reasonable costs of product and professional liability insurance for the deducting taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Regulatory Control Act - Requires every agency rule promulgated pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act to be reviewed every five years in the same manner as provided under that Act. Requires the Comptroller General to participate in the original promulgation and subsequent public review of all such rules. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require all legislation reported out of committee to include a statement requiring one of five specified forms of congressional review of agency rules which would be promulgated pursuant to such legislation if it becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Lee Metcalf Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes as an office of the Senate, the Senate Fair Employment Relations Board to (1) establish and publish policies and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of rule L of the Standing Rules of the Senate, (2) supervise the actions of the Director and the operations of the Senate Fair Employment Relations Office, and (3) hear and determine complaints. Title II: Senate Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes as an office of the Senate, the Senate Fair Employment Relations Office which shall develop procedures to implement the policies of the Board, gather information relating to Senate employment practices, and review procedures for the hearing and settling of complaints. Title III: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunity - Provides for counseling and assistance through the office, to any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of rule L. Sets forth the procedure for filing informal complaints based on employment discrimination, and for the informal settlement of such claims. Sets forth the procedure for filing formal complaints, and for conducting hearings on such claims. Provides for an appeal to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics from an adverse decision or order of the Board. Sets forth remedies available to individuals who have been discriminated against in violation of rule L.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Truth in Lending Simplification and Reform Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to eliminate (1) credit transactions for agricultural purposes and (2) mobile home purchases costing less than $25,000 from coverage under such Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue model forms and clauses, for use in common transactions, describing the transaction in understandable language. Exempts creditors who use such forms from liability under such Act. Permits the Federal Trade Commission to respond to a violation of such Act as if it were a violation of a Federal Trade Commission regulation. Establishes guidelines for restitution by enforcement agencies when they discover understatements by creditors of annual percentage rates or finance charges. Revises disclosure requirements for "open-end" and "closed-end" transactions. Entitles any person whose principal residence is a mobile home to rescind any transaction which would result in a lien on such residence, within three days after receiving notice of his right to do so. Makes other changes to the right of rescission of consumers. Sets forth the liability of creditors and assignees for failure to disclose or inaccurate disclosure of information required by such Act. Requires the Board to publish annual percentage rates charged by all creditors in specified standard metropolitan statistical areas. Reduces disclosure requirements for credit advertising. Requires a creditor to make a good faith effort to refund a consumer's credit balance if it remains in the account for more than six months. Exempts any creditor participating in a credit program administered, insured, or guaranteed by any agency of the United States from civil or criminal penalties under this Act where the violation results from the use of an instrument required by such agency. Requires creditors to respond to oral inquiries about the cost of credit only in terms of an annual percentage rate unless the finance charge consists primarily of simple interest.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
PCP Criminal Laws and Procedures Act - Sets forth penalties for the manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute phencyclidine (PCP) and its salts. Requires, with respect to each transfer of piperidine, that the seller report certain information about the buyer to the Attorney General and that the buyer present positive identification. Requires importers to report each shipment of piperidine received. Specifies guidelines for searches of sellers' premises. Prescribes and sets forth penalties for certain other piperidine-related transactions including sales to minors, or sales to or by fugitives or mental defectives, and commerce in stolen piperidine.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Gifted and Talented Education Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize a grant program for the education of gifted and talented children at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. Authorizes appropriations for such program for fiscal years 1979-1983 and provides guidelines for the allocation and use of such funds. Directs the Commissioner of Education to designate an administrative unit within the Office of Education to coordinate all programs under such Office for gifted and talented children.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Women's Educational Equity Act Amendments - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to (1) extend to fiscal year 1983 and increase the authorizations under the Women's Educational Equity Act; and (2) provide assistance to enable educational agencies and institutions to meet the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 regarding sex discrimination under any federally assisted education program or activity. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the maximum individual small grant that may be authorized by the Commissioner of Education for innovative projects designed to provide educational equity for women.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to increase the participation by States, local communities, private nonprofit groups, and individual groups in efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to obtain a grant under this Act, to establish a State citizen panel on domestic violence. Declares that such a panel shall be established to provide an opportunity for citizen participation in planning and developing efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence, and provide citizens familiar with the problems of domestic violence an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to resolving such problems. Requires each panel: (1) to oversee within the State the implementation of Federal, State, and local projects under this Act; and (2) to study and make recommendations on matters relating to domestic violence. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for applications for such grants. Requires each State receiving a grant to submit to the Secretary a report providing specified information on the implementation of projects to prevent domestic violence. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center on Domestic Violence. Declares the duties of the Director of such Center to be: (1) the coordination of all Federal programs with respect to domestic violence; and (2) the provision of a national information and resource clearinghouse for matters concerning domestic violence. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to enter into contracts to provide for not less than one regional center for domestic violence to be located in each region of the United States as designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to conduct research activities with respect to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to annually submit to Congress a report on the programs authorized by this Act. Directs that the records of any person concerning such person's treatment for drug abuse, in connection with any program assisted under this Act, be kept confidential. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than three years after the enactment of this Act, as to the effectiveness of programs administered pursuant to this Act. Requires the Director to give particular attention to the availability of VISTA volunteers with respect to programs on domestic violence prevention. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Requires the States, to be eligible for grants under this Act, to contribute to programs supported by this Act in amounts specified in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
National Agricultural Land Policy Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain and protect agricultural land, to reduce its conversion to nonagricultural uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes a three-year Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural activities; and (4) methods of protecting such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to institutes of higher learning to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay up to 75 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of agricultural land being converted to nonagricultural uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: General Provisions - Defines terms used in this Act. Title V: Funding - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $15,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $75,000,000 each for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, and $100,000,000 each for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Drug Regulation Reform Act - Title I: Drug Regulation Reform - States the findings of Congress. Prohibits the manufacture, importation, export, or distribution of a drug entity or a drug product without the prior issuance by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare of a monograph containing a description of such drug and requirements and guidelines for the contents of information labeling for the forms of drug products eligible for licensing under such monograph. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to require, in a monograph, postmarketing surveillance of any drug, old or new, for a period of up to five years. Limits the issuance of such monographs to drugs determined safe and effective. Defines "safe" as meaning the health benefits of the drug entity or product clearly outweigh the risks it presents, taking into account pertinent standards and requirements. Defines "effective" to mean that a drug entity when incorporated into a drug product used in accordance with the use conditions set forth on the drug label, will have the effect represented. Provides for amendment, suspension, or revocation of a monograph under specified conditions. Authorizes the provisional issuance of a monograph (for a period not to exceed five years) for any drug entity intended to be used in treatment of a life-threatening or severely debilitating disease when: (1) no other effective methods of treatment exist; or (2) such drug entity offers a major advantage to patients compared to the benefits of alternative methods; and (3) delaying issuance would present significantly greater risks to patients affected by such disease. Requires significant evidence of effectiveness and safety for such provisional issuance. Establishes a monograph-petition review procedure requiring a public hearing on the issuance, amendment, or revocation of any monograph, followed by a review of the evidence and issues by a drug science advisory committee, whose recommendations shall be forwarded to the Secretary for his final decision. Authorizes judicial review of a final order of the Secretary by a United States Court of Appeal. Requires, with specified exceptions, the registration of domestic and foreign establishments engaged in the manufacture, import, export, or distribution of any drug entity or drug product. Prohibits for five years after the issuance date of a monograph the licensure of any drug product without: (1) written authorization from the monograph petitioner; or (2) data and information independent of the monograph which would support a determination that the monograph could be issued. Permits the licensure of a drug product, after the expiration of such five year period, without the making of necessary animal and clinical studies already made to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the drug product under the original monograph. Requires registration of any drug to be used in a drug investigation, and revocation of registration if the human participants in the investigation are subject to unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injury. Specifies standards and requirements for such investigations. Requires the informed consent of participants in such investigations unless the immediate use of the drug product is, in the investigator's opinion, needed to preserve the participant's life and time is not sufficient to obtain either consent from either the participant or his legal representative. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) issue written guidelines regarding protocols and methods for conducting investigations; and (2) to review and advise, upon request, regarding specified aspects of a drug investigation. Requires unlicensed drug products and drug entities not subject to monographs to obtain permits for export to foreign countries. Specifies requirements for such exports. Exempts homeopathic drug entities and products from monograph, licensure, and investigational use requirements if manufactured or imported in accordance with import/export registration requirements of this Act. Requires: (1) patient information labeling in lay persons' language of the risks, benefits, side effects and so forth of any drug entity or product; and (2) practitioner information labeling that identifies the licensee, registrant, permittee and manufacturer of such drug. Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish a compendium of all prescription drugs eligible for licensing under issued monographs. Prohibits from the promotional labeling of any prescription drug product indications for use, comparisons with other drug products, or dosage recommendations not contained in the information labeling of such product. Prohibits drug product licensees and their agents from: (1) distributing sample prescription drug products without charge; and (2) providing services or transferring items to specified medical personnel or their families, if the value of the service or item is at least $5.00, and no charge is made. Requires disclosure of the sponsorship by a drug product licensee or distriutor of medical and scientific educational materials (other than labeling). Forbids the disclosure by pharmacists and their agents of prescriptions or information contained in prescriptions to anybody but the patient, the prescribing practitioner, or other specified persons. Prohibits licensees and their agents from obtaining or attempting to obtain such information. Prescribes civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, and subjects drug entities and products to seizure, for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses in any matter relating to implementation or enforcement of this Title. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect drug manufacturing and distributing establishments to determine compliance with this Title. Title II: National Center for Clinical Pharmacology; Evaluation of the Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the National Center for Clinical Pharmacology to conduct and support, by grants: (1) research in clinical pharmacology and clinical pharmacy; and (2) an ongoing review and analysis of the use of drug products in the United States. Directs the Secretary to contract for an independent evaluation of Title I and its effect on: (1) protection of the public against adverse reactions from and misuse of drug products; (2) innovation in drug research; (3) the economics of the pharmaceutical industry; (4) the cost of drug products; (5) prescribing practices; and (6) the time required for the issuance of monographs. Requires a report on such evaluation to the appropriate Committees of Congress within seven years of enactment.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)