Which federal law establishes a code of fair information practices that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals?

The Privacy Act is the federal law that sets forth a framework of fair information practices concerning how personal data about individuals is collected, maintained, used, and shared by federal agencies. Enacted in 1974, the Privacy Act aims to protect individual privacy by regulating how federal entities handle personal information and mandates that individuals have access to their records maintained by these agencies.

This law requires agencies to establish procedures for individuals to access their records, request amendments to inaccurate records, and be informed of the use of that data. It emphasizes transparency and accountability, ensuring that the rights of individuals regarding their personal information are upheld.

In contrast, the other options focus on different areas. The Smith-Hughes Act primarily relates to vocational education funding and training, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act addresses employment discrimination, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act deals specifically with the privacy of student education records. Each of these laws serves essential purposes but does not encapsulate the broader scope of personal information management that the Privacy Act addresses.