Email Privacy Act

Bill: 115-hr-387
Sponsor: Rep. Yoder, Kevin [R-KS-3]
Introduced: 2017-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: 

Email Privacy Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions that limit an electronic communication service (ECS) or remote communication service (RCS) provider from disclosing the contents of a wire or electronic communication that is in electronic storage. 
 
Additionally, it revises the standards for the government to compel an ECS or RCS provider to disclose contents of a wire or electronic communication or noncontent records or information pertaining to a subscriber or customer. 
 
An ECS or RCS provider may notify a subscriber or customer of the receipt of a warrant, court order, subpoena, or request, unless the government obtains an order for delayed notification. 
 
The bill revises the process for obtaining a delayed notification order and lengthens the maximum duration of a delayed notification order. 

action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Email Privacy Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions that limit an electronic communication service (ECS) or remote communication service (RCS) provider from voluntarily disclosing the contents of a wire or electronic communication that is in electronic storage. 
 
(Sec. 3) The bill also revises the standards for the government to compel an ECS or RCS provider to disclose contents of a wire or electronic communication or noncontent records or information pertaining to a subscriber or customer. 
 
The government must obtain a warrant to compel the disclosure of contents of a communication that is in electronic storage, or otherwise stored, held, or maintained by an ECS or RCS provider.
 
An ECS or RCS provider may notify a subscriber or customer of the receipt of a warrant, court order, subpoena, or request, unless the government obtains an order for delayed notification.
 
(Sec. 4) The bill revises the process for obtaining a delayed notification order and lengthens the maximum duration of a delayed notification order.
 
(Sec. 5) The bill does not preclude the government from acquiring, pursuant to other legal authorities: (1) contents of a wire or electronic communication, or (2) noncontent records or information related to a subscriber or customer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H988-989)
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H988-989)
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 387.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H988-992)
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Mr. Yoder moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-01-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: Introduced in House