Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-2856
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Introduced: 2021-04-26
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Government studies and investigations

Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Law enforcement administration and funding

Right of privacy

Urban and suburban affairs and development
Latest action: action_date: 2021-10-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill establishes reporting requirements related to the use of surveillance technology by law enforcement agencies in major metropolitan areas. The term <em>major metropolitan area</em> means an area with at least 250,000 residents.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill requires a law enforcement agency of a major metropolitan area receiving federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report annually to DHS, the Inspector General of DHS, and Congress on the use of surveillance technology.</p> <p>Additionally, the bill requires the Inspector General of DHS to report annually to Congress on the use of surveillance technology and the impact of its use on civil liberties and privacy. <br> </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2856 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 26, 2021 Mr. Torres of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report on the use of surveillance technology, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021 . 2. Reporting on surveillance technology (a) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, a law enforcement agency of a major metropolitan area receiving any Federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security shall report the use of surveillance technology to: (1) The Secretary of Homeland Security. (2) The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. (3) The United States Congress. (b) Report by Inspector General Not later than one year after the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the use of surveillance technology and the impact the use of such technology has on civil liberties and privacy. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Law enforcement agency The term law enforcement agency means a State, local, Indian tribal, or campus public agency engaged in the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution, or adjudication of violations of criminal laws. (2) Major metropolitan area The term major metropolitan area means an area including 250,000 residents or more. (3) Surveillance technology The term surveillance technology means equipment, software, or system capable of, or used or designed for, collecting, retaining, processing, or sharing audio, video, location, thermal, biometric, or similar information, that is operated by or at the direction of the department.