Legislative History of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
Chronology
1. Original Bills: 95 S. 1214; 95 S. 928; 94 S. 3777; 95 H.R. 12533
2. Enacting Bill: Senate Bill 1214, P.L. 95-608, 92 Stat. 3069. also: copy of law with President Carter's signature
3. Bill Summary: "To establish standards for the placement of Indian children in foster or adoptive homes, to prevent the breakup of Indian families, and for other purposes." The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 includes provisions to establish uniform standards for placement of Indian children in foster or adoptive homes, including provisions governing parental consent and intervention procedures, tribal court jurisdiction over child placement proceedings, and non-Indian agency priority placement of Indian children with extended family members. Also authorizes. Federal grants to Indian tribes for family development programs.
4. April 8, 9, 1974, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Program, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Senate, Apr. 8, 9, 1974, iv+531 p., (Library call number: Y4.In8/13:In2/33)
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5. July 1976, Report: Report on Federal, State, and Tribal Jurisdiction, Child Custody and Indian Child Welfare Statistical Survey (pgs. 78-87, 176-241), American Indian Policy Review Commission, July 1976, vii+258 p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/10:F31/2)
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6. June 27, 1977, Debate: Congressional Record Vol. 123 (1978): June 27, Indian Child Welfare Act of 1977
7. August 4, 1977, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Act of 1977, Committee on Indian Affairs, Select. Senate, Aug. 4, 1977, v+603 p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11:In2)
Complete Document (18.06 mb)
Preliminary pages
Bill
Witnesses, part 1 (first half)
Witnesses, part 1 (second half)
Witnesses, part 2 (first half)
Witnesses, part 2 (second half)
Appendix A (first half)
Appendix A (second half)
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
8. November 3, 1977, Senate report: Indian Child Welfare Act of 1977, Committee on Indian Affairs, Select. Senate, Report, S. Rpt. 95-597, Nov. 3, 1977, 58 p.
9. November 4, 1977, Debate: Congressional Record Vol. 123 (1977): Nov. 4, considered and passed Senate.
10. February 9 and March 9, 1978, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Feb. 9, Mar. 9, 1978, v+303 p., (Library call number: Y4.In8/14:96-42)
Complete Document (10.88 mb)
Preliminary pages
February 9 (first half)
February 9 (second half)
March 9
Appendix (first half)
Appendix (second half)
11. July 24, 1978, House report: Establishing Standards for the Placement of Indian Children In Foster or Adoptive Homes, To Prevent the Breakup of Indian Families, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. House, Report, H. Rpt. 95-1386, July 24, 1978, 46 p.
12. September, 1978, Letters: From James Abourezk, Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs regarding ICWA legislation. Letters, September, 1978.
13. October 3, 1978, CRS Memo: Subject: The Power of Congress to Regulate Custody Proceedings Involving Indian Children and to Dictate State Court Procedures in Such Cases, Memo, October 3, 1978.
14. October 14-15, 1978, Debate: Congressional Record Vol. 124 (1978): Oct. 14, H.R. 12533 considered and passed House; passage vacated, and S.1214, amended, passed in lieu. Oct. 15, Senate concurred in House amendments.
15. June 30, 1980, Hearing: Oversight of the Indian Child Welfare Act, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, June 30, 1980, iiv+148p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11:In28)
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16. April 25, 1984, Hearing: Oversight of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, April 25, 1984, iii+432p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11:S.hrg.98-952)
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17. November 10, 1987, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Act, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, Nov. 10, 1987, iii+438p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11;S.hrg.100-574)
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18. May 11, 1988, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Act, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, May 11, 1988, iii+241p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11:S.hrg.100-845)
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19. June 26, 1996, Report: Amendments to the Indian Child Welfare Act, Select Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, June 26, 1996, iv+461p., (Library call number: )
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20. July 26, 1996, Report: To Amend the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, July 26, 1996, 33p., (Library call number: Y1.1/5:104-335)
21. September 19, 1996, Report: Indian Child Welfare Act Amendments of 1996, House Committee on Resources, September 19, 1996, 22p., (Library call number: Y1.1/8:104-808)
22. June 18, 1997, Hearing: Indian Child Welfare Act, Select Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, June 18, 1997, iv+267p., (Library call number: Y4.In2/11:S.hrg. 105-244)
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Pages Title-37
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23. November 13, 1997, Report: Amending the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, November 13, 1997, 44p., (Library call number: Y1.1/5:105-156)
24. Nov. 7, 2003, Statement: Congressional Record Vol. 161 (2003): Nov. 7, 25th Anniversary of Enactment of Indian Child Welfare Act.
25. December 14, 2006, Report: Child Custody Proceedings Under the Indian Child Welfare Act: An Overview, December 14, 2006, 6p.
26. October 12, 2007, Report: Child Custody Proceedings Under the Indian Child Welfare Act: An Overview, October 12, 2007, 6p.
27. December 13, 2018, Senate Resolution: Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, December 13, 2018, 4p.