[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2067 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2067

To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to incorporate certain features 
   in the redesign of the United States currency so as to make such 
         currency readily accessible to the visually impaired.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 25, 1997

  Ms. Rivers introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Banking and Financial Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to incorporate certain features 
   in the redesign of the United States currency so as to make such 
         currency readily accessible to the visually impaired.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Common Sense 
Currency Act of 1997''.
    (b) Findings.--The Congress hereby finds the following:
            (1) Approximately 3,700,000 Americans are visually 
        disabled, 3,500,000 Americans have low vision, and another 
        9,000,000 Americans live with milder forms of visual 
        impairment.
            (2) As the geriatric population of the United States 
        increases, so will the number of people with low vision.
            (3) Many Americans who are visually impaired are employed, 
        provide for themselves, and lead active and productive lives.
            (4) In one critical area, however, the self-sufficiency of 
        the visually impaired is greatly hindered: the uniform size and 
        color of United States currency makes even the simplest 
        commercial transaction a risky venture for the visually 
        impaired.
            (5) The United States stands virtually alone out of all the 
        nations of the world in the use of a single color scheme for 
        all denominations of currency since 167 countries use a clearly 
        differentiated color scheme for all denominations of currency 
        and 2 additional countries use a clearly differentiated color 
        scheme for at least some denominations of currency.
            (6) In addition, many countries use different sizes for 
        different denominations of currency and at least 23 countries 
        incorporate tactile features on currency to permit the use of 
        such currency by the [blind].
            (7) Many of the options available for currency design which 
        would reduce the risk of loss through mistake, deceit, or fraud 
        for the visually impaired would also be beneficial for the 
        general ``seeing'' population and would reduce the amount of 
        losses incurred by businesses through mistakes, fraud, or the 
        mishandling of currency by cashiers at the cash register.

SEC. 2. REDESIGNED CURRENCY REQUIRED TO INCORPORATE FEATURES FOR THE 
              VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall incorporate 
the following features in the design of all denominations of United 
States currency consistent with the principles described in subsection 
(b):
            (1) Size.--A different size note shall be used for each 
        different denomination of Federal reserve notes.
            (2) High-contrast numerals.--The denomination of each 
        Federal reserve note shall appear in large high-contrast 
        numerals on a uniform background.
            (3) Color scheme.--A clearly differentiated color scheme 
        shall be used for each denomination of currency.
            (4) Engraved marks.--Specific engraved marks, visible or 
        invisible, shall be used for each denomination of United States 
        currency.
    (b) Principles Applicable to Currency Design.--In redesigning the 
United States currency in accordance with subsection (a), the following 
principles shall apply:
            (1) Readily identifiable denominations.--It should be fast 
        and easy to identify and distinguish the denominations of the 
        redesigned currency.
            (2) No special devices.--The identification of the 
        denominations of currency by the visually impaired should not 
        require any special devices or equipment other than everyday 
        aids, such as eyeglasses.
            (3) Cost-effective.--The redesign of the currency should be 
        cost-effective.
            (4) Combination of tactile and other features.--The 
        redesigned currency should include tactile features to enable 
        the blind to use the currency as well as the color and size 
        features described in subsection (a) for the visually impaired.
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