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United States · Bill · S

S. 506 (96th)

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1979

reportedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 March 1979

Last action

26 August 1980 · Reported

Status

Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, S. Rept. 96-919.

Sponsors

Sen. Mathias, Charles McC., Jr. [R-MD], Sen. Bayh, Birch [D-IN], Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH], Sen. Javits, Jacob K. [R-NY], Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA], Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT], Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH], Sen. Weicker, Lowell P., Jr. [R-CT], Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Sen. Tsongas, Paul E. [D-MA], Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA], Sen. Durkin, John A. [D-NH], Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE], Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY]

Subjects

Housing

Source updated

10 August 2026

Housing

Summary

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1979 - Amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (the Fair Housing Act) to exempt only the renting of space within a single family dwelling unit by the occupant of such unit to any other person from the prohibitions against discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. Prohibits insurers against hazards from discriminating in housing insurance contracts. Includes the handicapped within the groups that may not be discriminated against in housing. Prohibits discrimination in housing finance because of the national origins of people residing in the vicinity of the dwelling involved. Prohibits discrimination in the buying of debts secured by real property. Includes Federal agencies having regulatory authority over financial institutions within the administrative authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Revises the procedures for enforcing the fair housing antidiscrimination provisions of the Act. Permits the Secretary of enforce the provisions upon receiving a charge filed by an aggrieved party within one year after the alleged discrimination occurred or upon the Secretary's initiative. Permits the Secretary to refer charges to certified State or local agencies for action. Directs the Secretary and other Federal agencies to cooperate and avoid duplication of their efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to order preliminary relief in certain circumstances. Sets forth the procedures to be followed when the Secretary has an administrative hearing on a complaint. Permits aggrieved individuals to commence civil actions within three years of the alleged discriminatory practice. Prohibits proceedings by both the Secretary and the aggrieved individual. Authorizes the Attorney General (1) to intervene in an aggrieved individual's civil action and (2) to commence a civil action (A) against a person engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to these provisions or (B) to enforce the Secretary's findings or orders. Permits the aggrieved individual to intervene in an action commenced by the Attorney General. Allows prevailing parties reasonable attorney fees. Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the court of appeals to determine the validity of the Secretary's final orders under this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 March 1979

    Introduced

    Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 March 1979

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 26 August 1980

    Reported

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, S. Rept. 96-919.

    Source: Committee

  4. 26 August 1980

    Reported

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, S. Rept. 96-919.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

Leesvertaling

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 26 August 1980

    Open at official source

  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 1 March 1979

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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