Citizen Empowerment Act of 2015

To amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain procedures for conducting in-person or telephonic interactions by Executive branch employees with individuals, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Citizen Empowerment Act 2. Amendments (a) In general Part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 79 the following: 79A Services to Members of the Public Sec. 7921. Procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees. 7921. Procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees (a) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) the term telephonic (2) the term State (b) Recording of enforcement actions (1) Recording by individuals Any employee of an Executive agency who is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official in-person or telephonic interaction with an individual, relating to a possible or alleged violation of any Federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine, forfeiture of property, civil monetary penalty, or criminal penalty against, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, such individual or a business owned or operated by such individual, shall allow such individual to make an audio recording of such in-person or telephonic interaction at the individual’s own expense and with the individual’s own equipment. (2) Recording by Federal employees Any employee of an Executive agency that is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interaction described in paragraph (1) may record that interaction if such employee— (A) informs the individual of such recording prior to or at the initiation of the in-person or telephonic interaction; and (B) upon request of the individual, provides the individual with a transcript or copy of such recording, but only if the individual provides reimbursement for the cost of the transcription and reproduction of such transcript or copy. (c) Explanations of rights (1) In general Any employee of an Executive agency shall, before or at an initial in-person or telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official in-person or telephonic interaction, described in subsection (b)(1), provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of the individual’s rights under this section. (2) Separate notifications for separate violations Paragraph (1) shall not, for purposes of any interaction described in subsection (b)(1), be considered satisfied based on a notification previously given if that previous notification was given in the case of a possible or alleged violation separate from the possible or alleged violation at hand. (d) Application to official representative or those holding power of attorney Any person who is permitted to represent, before an Executive agency described in subsection (b)(1), an individual permitted to make an audio recording under such subsection of an in-person or a telephonic interaction conducted by an employee of that Executive agency— (1) shall be permitted— (A) to make an audio recording under subsection (b)(1) as if the person were such individual; and (B) to receive a transcript or copy of an audio recording under subsection (b)(2) as if the person were such individual; (2) shall receive the same notice as that which is required to be provided to the individual under subsection (c); and (3) with respect to an audio recording (as referred to in paragraph (1)(A)) and a transcript or copy of a recording (as referred to in paragraph (1)(B)), shall have the same rights as described in subsection (e). (e) Property of audio recording Any audio recording or transcript of an audio recording made pursuant to subsection (b)(1) or provided to an individual pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B) shall be the property of such individual. (f) No cause of action This section does not create any express or implied private right of action. (g) Exceptions (1) Classified information, public safety, criminal investigation This section shall not apply to any in-person or telephonic interaction— (A) that is likely to include the discussion of classified material; (B) that is likely to include the discussion of information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety; or (C) that, if released, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation if such investigation is being conducted by a Federal law enforcement officer (as defined by section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008) who is employed by a Federal law enforcement agency. (2) Determination by employees An employee of an Executive agency who makes a determination that an exception created by paragraph (1) applies to an in-person or a telephonic interaction or to a series of such interactions shall provide written notification of such determination to any person who would otherwise be permitted to make an audio recording of the interaction under subsection (b)(1) or (d). (h) Prior law For the purposes set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), this section supersedes section 2511(2)(d) of title 18 and any provision of Federal or State law insofar as such section or provision relates to the recording of an in-person or a telephonic interaction described in subsection (b)(1). (i) Disciplinary action An employee who violates this section shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with otherwise applicable provisions of law. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 79 the following: 79A. Services to Members of the Public 7921 .

Summary: Citizen Empowerment Act of 2015 Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official interaction with an individual relating to a possible violation of federal law that could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines or penalties or the collection of unpaid tax to allow such individual to make an audio recording of the interaction. Permits the employee conducting the interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual of the recording prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript of the recording at such individual's expense. Requires the employee conducting an initial in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights. Exempts from the application of this Act any in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction that: (1) is likely to include the discussion of classified material or information that would endanger public safety if released publicly; or (2) if released, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by a federal law enforcement officer.