PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Favorable Executive Comment Received from Interior.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 13, 1997
Indian Child Welfare Act Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to provide for retention by an Indian tribe of exclusive jurisdiction over child custody proceedings involving specified Indian children. Revises requirements, with respect to Indian children, regarding: (1) the voluntary termination of parental rights; and (2) the withdrawal of a consent to such voluntary termination or to adoption. Requires a party seeking the voluntary placement of an Indian child or the voluntary termination of parental rights to provide written notice to the Indian child's tribe. Sets forth the requirements for such a written notice. Permits an Indian tribe to intervene only if a child's tribe has filed a written objection, but permits the child's Indian tribe to intervene in any case in which the Indian tribe did not receive a written notice. Provides criminal sanctions for fraudulent representation with respect to any proceeding involving an Indian child.
People & committees
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] · R–AK
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Favorable Executive Comment Received from Interior.
Joint Hearings Held by the Committee on Resources and by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E464-465)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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