Judicial Redress Act of 2015

To extend Privacy Act remedies to citizens of certified states, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Judicial Redress Act of 2015 2. Extension of Privacy Act remedies to citizens of designated countries (a) Civil action; civil remedies With respect to covered records, a covered person may bring a civil action against an agency and obtain civil remedies, in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same limitations, including exemptions and exceptions, as an individual may bring and obtain with respect to records under— (1) section 552a(g)(1)(D) of title 5, United States Code, but only with respect to disclosures intentionally or willfully made in violation of section 552a(b) of such title; and (2) subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 552a(g)(1) of title 5, United States Code, but such an action may only be brought against a designated Federal agency or component. (b) Exclusive remedies The remedies set forth in subsection (a) are the exclusive remedies available to a covered person under this section. (c) Application of the Privacy Act with respect to a covered person For purposes of a civil action described in subsection (a), a covered person shall have the same rights, and be subject to the same limitations, including exemptions and exceptions, as an individual has and is subject to under section 552a of title 5, United States Code, when pursuing the civil remedies described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (d) Designation of covered country (1) In general The Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, designate a foreign country or regional economic integration organization, or member country of such organization, as a covered country (A) the country or regional economic integration organization, or member country of such organization, has entered into an agreement with the United States that provides for appropriate privacy protections for information shared for the purpose of preventing, investigating, detecting, or prosecuting criminal offenses; or (B) the Attorney General has determined that the country or regional economic integration organization, or member country of such organization, has effectively shared information with the United States for the purpose of preventing, investigating, detecting, or prosecuting criminal offenses and has appropriate privacy protections for such shared information. (2) Removal of designation The Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, revoke the designation of a foreign country or regional economic integration organization, or member country of such organization, as a covered country covered country (A) is not complying with the agreement described under paragraph (1)(A); (B) no longer meets the requirements for designation under paragraph (1)(B); or (C) impedes the transfer of information (for purposes of reporting or preventing unlawful activity) to the United States by a private entity or person. (e) Designation of designated Federal agency or component (1) In general The Attorney General shall determine whether an agency or component thereof is a designated Federal agency or component (2) Requirements for designation The Attorney General may determine that an agency or component of an agency is a designated Federal agency or component (A) the Attorney General determines that information exchanged by such agency with a covered country is within the scope of an agreement referred to in subsection (d)(1)(A); or (B) with respect to a country or regional economic integration organization, or member country of such organization, that has been designated as a covered country (f) Federal Register requirement; nonreviewable determination The Attorney General shall publish each determination made under subsections (d) and (e). Such determination shall not be subject to judicial or administrative review. (g) Jurisdiction The United States District Court for the District of Columbia shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising under this section. (h) Definitions In this Act: (1) Agency The term agency (2) Covered country The term covered country (3) Covered person The term covered person (4) Covered record The term covered record (A) by a public authority of, or private entity within, a country or regional economic organization, or member country of such organization, which at the time the record is transferred is a covered country; and (B) to a designated Federal agency or component for purposes of preventing, investigating, detecting, or prosecuting criminal offenses. (5) Designated Federal agency or component The term designated Federal agency or component (6) Individual The term individual (i) Preservation of privileges Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive any applicable privilege or require the disclosure of classified information. Upon an agency’s request, the district court shall review in camera and ex parte any submission by the agency in connection with this subsection. (j) Effective date This Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Judicial Redress Act of 2015 Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate foreign countries or regional economic integration organizations whose natural citizens may bring civil actions under the Privacy Act of 1974 against certain U.S. government agencies for purposes of accessing, amending, or redressing unlawful disclosures of records maintained by an agency. Allows DOJ, with the concurrence of the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Homeland Security, to designate countries or organizations whose citizens may pursue such civil remedies if the person's country or organization has appropriate privacy protections for sharing information with the United States to prevent, investigate, detect, or prosecute criminal offenses. Exempts DOJ's designations from judicial or administrative review. Grants the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising under this Act.