Laws Addressing Federal Agency Functions

Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of 1946
The APA governs the operations of federal agencies, including the processes by which federal agencies address public inquiries for information and develop and issue regulations.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1967
FOIA provides the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency, including EEOC records. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested unless it falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement. FOIA appears in the APA at 5 U.S.C. § 552.

Privacy Act of 1974
The Privacy Act creates fair information requirements that govern federal agency collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals maintained in systems of records (groups of records under agency control from which information is retrieved by an individual’s name or an identifier). Federal agencies must give the public notice of their systems of records and cannot disclose a record about an individual without written consent unless the disclosure falls under one of 12 exceptions. The Privacy Act appears in the APA at 5 U.S.C. § 552a.

Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976
The Sunshine Act requires certain meetings of federal agencies to be open to public observation. It appears in the APA at 5 U.S.C. § 552b.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995  
The PRA is a federal law that governs how federal agencies collect information from the public. The PRA ensures that agencies consider potential burdens on the public of seeking information from them, while also respecting privacy. More information on the PRA can be found in A Guide to the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Government Organization and Employees: 5 U.S.C. 571
This provision, also known as the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, provides for alternative means of dispute resolution in the federal administrative process.

Government Organization and Employees: 5 U.S.C. 7301
This provision establishes ethical conduct standards and financial disclosure regulations for federal employees.

Claims of the U.S. Government: Administrative Collection Activities: 31 U.S.C. Chapter 37
The federal law on U.S. Government Debt Collection sets forth how federal agencies may collect debts.  The relevant parts for EEOC debt collection are 31 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. and 31 U.S.C. 3720A.