PRESS Act

Bill: 117-hr-4330
Sponsor: Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2021-07-01 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-01
text: 

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.
 
Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work. Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between the third party and a journalist.

action_date: 2022-06-07
text: 

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.
 
Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work. Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that is stored by the third party on behalf of a journalist.

action_date: 2022-09-19
text: 

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.
 
Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work. Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that is stored by the third party on behalf of a journalist.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-20
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7927-7928)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4330.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7927-7930)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 268.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-07-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-01
text: Introduced in House