United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to remove the exemptions from registration under those Acts for certain industrial development bonds. Designates such bonds as those which provide interest included as gross income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Exempts certain bonds issued under specified conditions involving government projects from the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend trading in industrial development bonds issued by a commercial or industrial enterprise pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1978
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 2715 (Securities and Exchange Commission authorization).
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1978
Thomas A. Edison Centennial Educational Act - Establishes the Thomas A. Edison Centennial Commission within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to encourage and support the observance of the 100th anniversary of the invention of the first practical incandescent electric lamp and the other scientific contributions made by Thomas Edison. Authorizes the Commission to make grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1981 to a nonprofit institution of higher education to collect, compile, edit, and publish the papers of Thomas Edison. Terminates the Commission on Septermber 30, 1981. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979 through 1981 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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 · 11 July 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that (1) the trials of Antoly Shcharansky, Viktoras Petkus, and Aleksandr Ilyich Ginzburg are matters of deep concern to the American people that adversely affect Soviet-American relations; and (2) the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet should seek a humanitarian resolution to these cases and work toward improving such relations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1978
Expresses as the sense of the Congress that the President should call upon the Government of the Soviet Union, contact national and international relegious councils, and utilize formal and informal contacts with Soviet officials in order to revive and secure religious liberty in the Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, statutory subsistence allowances received by State police officers between 1969 and 1978.
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 · 15 May 1978
Amends the North Pacific Fisheries Act of 1954 to define: (1) "fishery conservation zone of the United States" to mean the zone established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, and (2) "fishing vessel" to mean vessels engaged in the catching, processing, or transporting of fish in the Convention area (North Pacific Ocean waters and adjacent seas), or vessels outfitted for such activities, or vessels in normal support of such a vessel. Amends such Act to authorize the Secretary of State (under present law the President), with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, to accept or reject certain recommendations made by the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission. Amends such Act to require the Secretary of Commerce (1) to enforce all provisions of this Act and the International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean, and (2) to adopt regulations in consultation with the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to carry out the objectives of this Act and the Convention. Stipulates that the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enforce this Act. Specifies certain enforcement powers granted to enforcement officers. Allows enforcement officers to enforce the provisions of the Convention or this Act in the Convention area outside the U.S. fishery conservation zone and similar zones of Canada and Japan. Includes among the powers granted such officers, the power to board any vessel of Canada or Japan fishing for anadromous species and to inspect such vessel. Makes it unlawful for any person to violate any provision of the Convention or this Act; to refuse to permit an enforcement officer to board and inspect any fishing vessel; to forcibly assault or resist any such enforcement officer; and to interfere with the apprehension of any other person who has committed an act prohibited by this Act. Subjects any person found guilty of a civil violation to a fine not to exceed $25,000 for each violation. Makes any person found guilty of a criminal offense punishable by a fine of not more than $50,000 or by imprisonment of not more than six months or both, except that, if in the commission of any offense, the person uses a dangerous weapon or engages in conduct that causes bodily injury to any authorizing enforcement officer, the offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment of not more than ten years or both. Provides that authorized funds pursuant to this Act may be used to carry out other research and observer programs established pursuant to the Convention. Provides that each Canadian or Japanese fishing vessel which is authorized to fish within the U.S. fishery conservation zone shall have on board a registration permit setting forth the terms and conditions contained in the Convention that apply with respect to such operations. Declares that the objective of the Convention shall be interpreted to protect the North American salmon and the reduction or elimination of the incidental taking of marine mammals. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to take such actions to assure the full implementation of marine mammal research and the reduction or elimination of the incidental taking of marine mammals, including the placement of duly authorized agents on board Japanese fishing vessels for scientific observations relating to the incidental taking of marine mammals. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with the Secretary of State, to report to Congress on the steps taken to implement the Convention and the results of all research carried out pursuant to the Convention, including estimates of the incidental taking of the Dall's porpoise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore part of the pre-1969 tax treatment of capital gains by repealing the capital gains item of tax preference for the minimum tax; lowering the corporate alternative tax to 25 percent of net capital gain; and lowering the alternative individual tax to 25 percent of net capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for increases in the cost of refined petroleum products due to the imposition of duties or fees on such products by the President pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Limits eligibility for such credit to residential users, hospitals, churches, and educational institutions. Limits the amount of allowable credit to $75 for an individual taxpayer. Reduces the amount of allowable credit by 75 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of such individual exceeds $20,000. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to refund in advance one-fourth of the taxpayer's tentative credit under this Act for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Civil Rights Commission Act - Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Amends such Act with respect to: (1) the compensation of Civil Rights Commission members; (2) the deadline for a report by the Commission to the Congress on violations of civil rights; (3) establishment of advisory committees to the Commission; and (4) vacancies on the Commission. Amends such Act to require the Commission: (1) to study age and handicap discrimination; (2) to review related Federal law policies; and (3) to serve as a clearinghouse for information regarding such discrimination; (4) to establish a civil rights advisory commission in each State; and (5) to investigate allegations of age or handicap discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
National Workers' Compensation Standards Act - Establishes minimum standards for State workers' compensation laws. Provides that the employers in any State in which the laws do not meet the minimum standards shall be required to pay to any employee the difference between the State payments and the payments the Federal standards would require. Authorizes grants to States to assist them in achieving compliance with the minimum standards set forth in this Act. Vests administrative responsibility for these provisions in the Department of Labor. Establishes a National Workers' Compensation Advisory Commission to monitor the progress of the States in meeting the standards established by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, by rule making proceedings, standards for determining whether diseases arise out of the course of employment and cause death or disability. Requires any such standard to be a minimum standard for State workers' compensation laws for that disease.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 1 May 1978
ERISA Improvements Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to submit to Congress within 90 days of the passage of this Act any changes in the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) which are necessitated by the provisions of this Act. Title I: Consolidation of Federal Agency Responsibilities for Employee Benefit Plans - Creates two new positions, one within the Department of the Treasury and the other within the Department of Labor, entitled special liaison officer to the Employee Benefits Commission. Establishes the Employee Benefits Commission within the Executive branch to formulate policy with regard to Federal laws affecting employee benefit plans, to administer and enforce titles I and IV of (ERISA), and to administer and seek compliance with specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to qualification of employee benefit plans. Grants to the Commission specified powers to enable it to carry out its assigned duties, including the power toinitiate court actions to enforce titles I and IV of ERISA and to certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that an employee benefit plan does or does not satisfy the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for qualified plans. Transfers all functions of the Secretary of Labor with regard to ERISA, most functions of the Secretary of the Treasury, and all functions of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to the Commission. Title II: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to provide that it shall be an additional purpose of such Act to foster the establishment and maintenance of employee benefit plans. Redefines the term "employees' beneficiary association" in order to clarify whether multiple employer interests are employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. Narrows the definition of the term "party in interest." Redefines "multiemployer plan" to mean a plan which is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements between an employee organization and more than one employer and to which ten or more employers contribute, or to which more than one and fewer than ten employers contribute if the Commission finds that treating such a plan as a multiemployer plan is appropriate. Amends the reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed on employers maintaining plans. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to exempt any plan from any of the reporting or disclosure requirements of ERISA upon making certain findings. Makes substantive changes in the minimum requirements for a qualified plan with regard to participation, accrual of benefits in a multiemployer plan, suspension of benefits because of reemployment, reduction in retirement or disability benefits, and joint and survivor annuities. Allows the funding method of a plan to take account of all plan provisions, including future benefit reductions. Redefines the contents of a general asset account in the case of plans which have guaranteed benefit policies with an insurer. Imposes a legal obligation to make contributions to a plan upon an employer who has an obligation under a collective bargaining agreement to make contributions to the plan. Permits a multiemployer plan to return an employer contribution within one year after the plan administrator knows that the contribution was made as a result of a mistake of fact. Defines "knowledge" of a fiduciary (who is not a person) for purposes of awareness of a fellow fiduciary's breach of duty. Limits the responsibility of any co-fiduciary with respect to the failure of an employer who is a fiduciary to make contributions to a collectively bargained plan. Subjects every uninsured welfare plan which is a multiple employer trust to such solvency and reserve standards as the Secretary of Labor may require by regulation. Provides that where a judgment has been awarded in an action to collect contributions owed to an employee benefit plan, the court shall allow a reasonable attorney's fee and costs of the action, to be paid by the defendant. Stipulates that with regard to any employee benefit plan other than an eligible individual account plan in which participation is voluntary, no person or employee benefit plan shall be liable in a cause of action alleging explicitly or implicitly that the interest of an employee in such a plan is a security under Federal or State securities laws. Requires that one of the members of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans shall be a representative of employers maintaining small plans. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility of requiring pension plans to provide cost of living adjustments to benefits payable under such plans. Title III: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Provides that in the case of a multiemployer plan, defined benefit plans shall be considered separately from defined contribution plans for purposes of lump sum distributions. Permits a multiemployer plan to deem an employee who has not worked in service covered under the plan for six months as having separated from the service for purposes of lump sum distributions. Allows an income tax deduction for contributions made by employees to qualified retirement plans. Limits the deduction to the lesser of 10 percent of compensation or $1,000, but reduces the allowable deduction by 20 percent of the amount by which the employee's adjusted gross income exceeds $30,000. Requires plans to accept these contributions and sets forth the administrative framework for treatment of the contributions by the plan. Allows an income tax credit for small employers who establish retirement plans that meet ERISA's requirements. Allows such credit in addition to the allowable deduction for employer contributions to a qualified plan. Limits the amount of the credit and phases it down and out over the first five years of each new plan. Allows an income tax credit of five percent of an employer's allowable deductions for contributions to a qualified plan for any year in which the Employee Benefits Commission determines that the plan is an improved plan. Defines an "improved plan" as one which has standards on specified matters which exceed the minimum standards of ERISA and the standards of the plan in the prior year. Prohibits sole proprietors and partners or shareholders with a more than ten percent interest in a business from establishing individual retirement accounts for themselves. Title IV: Special Master or Prototype Plans - Amends ERISA to create a new type of individual account employee pension benefit plan, all the assets of which are controlled by one or more investment managers. Relieves an employer who establishes such a plan of many of the administrative requirements of ERISA.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Establishes the President's Commission on the Victims of the Holocaust for the purpose of considering and developing plans for the design, construction, and location of a permanent memorial in the United States to the victims of the Holocaust. Terminates the Commission within one year after the submission of its final report. Requires that such report be submitted to the Congress and the President within 18 months after the effective date of this resolution. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Older Americans Act Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aging. Authorizes a recipient of a grant under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enter into an agreement with a profitmaking organization to carry out the provisions of such Act. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into new cooperative arrangements with providers of social or nutrition services, multipurpose senior centers, or legal services, for the planning and provision of social services, nutrition services, multipurpose senior centers, or legal services. Defines terms used in such Title. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979, 1980, and 1981 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to divide the State into areas and to designate as a planning and service area any unit of general purpose local government which has a population of 50,000 or more individuals aged 60 or over which contains 15 percent or more of the State population aged 60 or over. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for any of the following social services: (1) health, continuing education, welfare, informational, recreational, homemaker, counseling, or referral services; (2) transportation services to facilitate access to social services or nutrition services, or both; (3) services to assist older persons to use the services available to them; (4) services to assist older persons to obtain adequate housing; including residential repair and renovation projects; (5) services designed to assist older persons in avoiding institutionalization, including preinstitution evaluation and screening and home health services, homemaker services, shopping services, escort services, reader services, letter writing services, and other services to assist independent living in a home environment; (6) services to provide legal and counseling assistance; (7) services to enable older persons to attain and maintain physical and mental well-being through programs of regular physical activity; or (8) any other services meeting standards prescribed by the Commissioner and necessary for the general welfare of older persons. Requires the Commissioner to make grants to States for: (1) the establishment and operation of nutrition projects for older persons which, five or more days a week, provides, in a congregate setting, at least one meal per day each of which assures a minimum of one- third of the daily recommended dietary allowances; (2) the establishment and operation of multipurpose senior centers for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services or nutrition services, or both, for older persons; (3) the provision of legal services for the elderly; and (4) the conduct of projects under which a State long-term care ombudsman receives and investigates complaints made by or on behalf of older persons who are residents of long-term care facilities relating to administrative action which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of such residents. Declares that, under the Act, a national manpower policy shall be developed for the field of aging which will reflect the present and future needs for training personnel in all programs serving the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of conducting studies on: (1) the utilization of services under this Act and other programs for the elderly, with special attention to accessibility to low-income and minority elderly; (2) the problems of State and area agencies on aging and other service providers in operating transportation services, (3) the impact of this Act and other programs in meeting the long-range needs of the elderly population; and (4) the differences in unit costs, service delivery and access between rural areas and urban areas for services assisted under this Act and the special needs of the elderly residing in rural areas. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which will demonstrate methods to expand or improve social services and promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; (5) to meet the special needs of, and improve the delivery of services to older persons who are not receiving adequate services under other provisions of this Act; and (6) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and enter into contracts with appropriate bodies to support programs of legal services and ombudsman programs established under provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to support the development of comprehensive, coordinated systems of community long-term care for older persons. Requires such grants to be used for the development of programs which provide a full continuum of services supporting alternatives to institutional living, including: (1) adult day health; (2) individual assessment of need, service plan development, monitoring, and evaluation of service effectiveness; (3) supported living in public and private, nonprofit housing; (4) family respite services; (5) preventative health services; (6) home health, homemaker, and other rehabilitative and maintenance in-home services; (7) geriatric health maintenance organizations; and (8) other services which the Commissioner determines are appropriate. Redesignates Title IV (Training and Research) of the Act "Training, Research, and Demonstration. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for multidisciplinary centers of gerontology. Redesignates Title V of the Act "Grants for Indian Tribes. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are older persons. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to delegate to the Secretary of the Interior or to the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs any functions under this title. Redesignates Title VI of the Act "Community Service Employment for Older Americans." States that such Title may be cited as the Older American Community Service Employment Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to estabLish an older American community service employment program to promote part-time opportunities in community service activities for unemployed, low-income persons 55 years old who have poor employment prospects. States that eligible individuals employed in such projects shall not be considered to be Federal employees. Provides that in awarding grants or contracts for such projects the Secretary shall give special consideration to national organizations which have a proven ability to provide older persons with employment. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Title. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - States that this Title may be cited as the 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act. Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) to identify any federally assisted activity in which persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
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 · 20 April 1978
Expresses the concern of the Senate regarding the slaughter of dolphins in the Sea of Japan by Japanese fishermen. Encourages the Government of Japan to join in international discussions to cooperate in the establishment of an international cetacean commission, and to adopt comprehensive marine mammal protection legislation.
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 · 11 April 1978
Primary Health Care Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act: (1) to develop and promote a long-term strategy for addressing primary health care needs; and (2) to alleviate the shortage of health resources in both urban and rural medically underserved areas of the country. Establishes the Commission on National Primary Health Care Needs. Requires the Commission to issue a report to Congress on the national primary health care needs with special attention on the varying needs of both urban and rural areas. Directs the Commission to conduct a study to determine if the Department of Defense, the Veterans' Administration, and other Federal health facilities can be utilized to provide health care services in medically underserved areas. Defines the term "primary care" as first contact medical care services, including health promotion and disease prevention, and continuous patient management throughout secondary and tertiary treatment. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a plan to allow community health centers to retain earned income if the income is used to expand or improve the services of the center. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983: (1) to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for projects to plan and develop community health centers to serve medically underserved populations; and (2) to make grants for the costs of operation of public and nonprofit private community health centers which serve medically underserved populations. Defines, for purposes of the Public Health Service Act, the following terms: (1) community hospital; (2) hospital-affiliated primary care center (primary care center); (3) primary care group practice; and (4) primary care resident. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to community hospitals for planning, developing, and operating primary care centers in medically underserved populations. Sets forth specified assurances which a community hospital must include in an application for such a grant. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through fiscal year 1981. Requires the Secretary to establish a plan to allow migrant health centers to retain earned income if the income is used to expand or improve services of the centers. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for: (1) grants to plan and develop migrant health centers; and (2) to make grants for the cost of operation of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and contracts to demonstrate new, improved, or expanded primary health and dental care delivery mechanisms in the community setting for medically underserved populations. Defines, for purposes of the Public Health Service Act, the following terms: (1) "Medically underserved population; (2) "rural"; and (3) "urban."
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Uniformed Services Survivor Benefit Plan Amendments Act - Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan to permit members and former members of the uniformed services who have completed the number of years of service required for eligibility for retired pay but who have not yet, because of age, become entitled to such pay to participate in such plan. Entitles dependents of such members or former members who die before becoming entitled to retired pay to certain medical and dental benefits at facilities of the uniformed services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that there shall be at least one very high frequency commercial television station located within each State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate the adequacy and appropriateness of Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 121 (49 CFR 571.121) with particular attention to whether the antilock braking requirement is practicable and meets the needs of motor vehicle safety. Requires the Secretary to submit the results of such evaluation to Congress within 12 months. Suspends the implementation of any antilock braking requirement until three months after the Secretary submits such report.
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
Expresses the condemnation of the Senate of the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. Declares it the sense of the Senate that (1) Italy deserves the support of the United States, and (2) the President should instruct the Permanent Representative to the United Nations to press for consideration of solutions to the problem of terrorism in all appropriate forums.
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
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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Condemns recent terrorism in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. Extends Congressional condolences to victims of these attacks. Declares that the President should (1) intensify efforts of the executive branch to counter international terrorism, (2) report to Congress on the implementation of laws regarding terrorism; (3) report to Congress on the activities of the Palestine Liberation Organization office in New York; and (4) report to specified Congressional committees the names of nations which furnish assistance to such Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Refugee and Displaced Persons Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to define refugee or displaced person for purposes of such Act. Authorizes the admission of up to 40,000 refugees or displaced persons per year as immigrants. Empowers the Secretary of State to recommend to the Attorney General that all or any portion of a group of refugees or displaced persons be admitted into the United States conditionally in certain circumstances. Authorizes the Attorney General to allow parole admission of aliens for humanitarian reasons. Increases from 20 per cent to 26 per cent of the number of additional visas that shall be allocated to spouses, and unmarried sons or daughters of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study and report to Congress on methods by which the process of filing Federal income tax returns by individuals could be made simpler, more efficient, and less costly by increasing the availability of taxpayer assistance programs, by improving the manner in which the commercial preparation of such returns is monitored, and by simplifying Federal income tax forms.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy for heating the hot water in the Phillip A. Hart Office Building now under construction. Directs the Architect to make cost comparisons between solar and conventional energy systems over specified periods of time and report such findings to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1978
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for the Securities and Exchange Commission for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Amends the Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960, as amended, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for fiscal years 1979-1983 for administration, investigation, and salvage operations of the program providing for recovery, protection, and preservation of significant scientific, prehistorical, historical, or archeological data which may be lost through federally regulated, permitted, or licensed construction projects.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Community Schools and Comprehensive Community Education Act - Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State and local educational agencies to pay the Federal share of establishing community education programs. Defines "community education program" as a program operated by a local educational agency providing educational, recreational, health care, cultural, and other related services for the community. Establishes a Community Education Advisory Council to advise the National Institute of Education concerning community education programs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Williams, Harrison A., Jr. [D-NJ]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000502_200.jpg)