Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3191
Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]
Introduced: 2018-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Judicial review and appeals
National Archives and Records Administration

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: 

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to: (1) commence establishing a collection of civil rights cold case records, (2) commence preparing and publishing the subject guidebook and index to the collection, and (3) establish criteria for transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records to NARA, to include required metadata.
 
All civil rights cold case records transmitted to NARA for disclosure to the public shall be included in the collection, available to the public for inspection and copying by 60 days after the record's transmission to NARA, and prioritized for digitization by NARA.
 
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board is established as an independent agency of impartial private citizens. The records of the review board shall not be destroyed, with an exception.

action_date: 2019-01-08
text: 

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to: (1) establish a collection of civil rights cold case records; (2) prepare and publish the subject guidebook and index to the collection; and (3) establish criteria for transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records to NARA, to include required metadata.
 
All civil rights cold case records transmitted to NARA for disclosure to the public shall be included in the collection, available to the public for inspection and copying, and prioritized for digitization by NARA.
 
The bill requires redacted records or records for which public disclosure is postponed to be reviewed annually.
 
The bill enumerates grounds for which disclosure of records may be postponed, including causing damage to national security, invading personal privacy, or interfering with ongoing law enforcement proceedings. 
The bill establishes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board as an independent agency of impartial private citizens. The board shall consider and render decisions on determinations to seek postponement of disclosure of civil rights cold case records. With the exception of certain administrative records, records of the review board shall not be destroyed.
 
The review board may request the Department of Justice to petition any court in the United States or abroad to release information relevant to civil rights cold cases held under seal of court. A similar request may be made to a court in the United States for release of information held under an injunction of grand-jury secrecy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-08
text: Became Public Law No: 115-426.
action_date: 2019-01-08
text: Became Public Law No: 115-426.
action_date: 2019-01-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2019-01-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-12-27
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-27
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 6 (Roll no. 482). (text: CR H10527-10531)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 6 (Roll no. 482).(text: CR H10527-10531)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10537-10538)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3191.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10527-10531)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Mr. Walker moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-12-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-12-17
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-12-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-12-17
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7727-7731; text as reported in Senate: CR S7727-7734)
action_date: 2018-12-17
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7727-7731)
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 727.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-424.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-424.
action_date: 2018-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4877-4878)
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 115-426