An act to provide for the expeditious disclosure of records related to civil rights cold cases, and for other purposes
PL 115-426 (S.3191), enacted 01/08/2019

132 STAT. 5489 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
Public Law 115–426 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the expeditious disclosure of records related to civil rights cold 
cases, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Civil Rights Cold Case Records 
Collection Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ARCHIVIST.—The term ‘‘Archivist’’ means the Archivist 
of the United States. 
(2) CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE.—The term ‘‘civil rights cold 
case’’ means any unsolved case— 
(A) arising out of events which occurred during the 
period beginning on January 1, 1940 and ending on 
December 31, 1979; and 
(B) related to— 
(i) section 241 of title 18, United States Code 
(relating to conspiracy against rights); 
(ii) section 242 of title 18, United States Code 
(relating to deprivation of rights under color of law); 
(iii) section 245 of title 18, United States Code 
(relating to federally protected activities); 
(iv) sections 1581 and 1584 of title 18, United 
States Code (relating to peonage and involuntary ser-
vitude); 
(v) section 901 of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
3631); or 
(vi) any other Federal law that was— 
(I) in effect on or before December 31, 1979; 
and 
(II) enforced by the criminal section of the 
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice 
before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(3) CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE RECORD.—The term ‘‘civil rights 
cold case record’’ means a record that— 
(A) is related to a civil rights cold case; and 
(B) was created or made available for use by, obtained 
by, or otherwise came into the possession of— 
(i) the Library of Congress; 
(ii) the National Archives; 
(iii) any executive agency; 
Civil Rights Cold 
Case Records 
Collection Act 
of 2018. 
44 USC 2107 
note. 
Jan. 8, 2019 
[S. 3191] 
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132 STAT. 5490 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(iv) any independent agency; 
(v) any other entity of the Federal Government; 
or 
(vi) any State or local government, or component 
thereof, that provided support or assistance or per-
formed work in connection with a Federal inquiry into 
a civil rights cold case. 
(4) COLLECTION.—The term ‘‘Collection’’ means the Civil 
Rights Cold Case Records Collection established under section 
3. 
(5) EXECUTIVE
AGENCY.—The term ‘‘executive agency’’ 
means an agency, as defined in section 552(f) of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(6) GOVERNMENT OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Government office’’ 
means any office of the Federal Government that has possession 
or control of 1 or more civil rights cold case records. 
(7) GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.—The term ‘‘Government offi-
cial’’ means any officer or employee of the United States, 
including elected and appointed officials. 
(8) NATIONAL
ARCHIVES.—The term ‘‘National Archives’’ 
means the National Archives and Records Administration and 
all components thereof, including Presidential archival deposi-
tories established under section 2112 of title 44, United States 
Code. 
(9) OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION.—The term ‘‘official investiga-
tion’’ means the review of a civil rights cold case conducted 
by any entity of the Federal Government either independently, 
at the request of any Presidential commission or congressional 
committee, or at the request of any Government official. 
(10) ORIGINATING
BODY.—The term ‘‘originating body’’ 
means the executive agency, Government commission, congres-
sional committee, or other Governmental entity that created 
a record or particular information within a record. 
(11) PUBLIC INTEREST.—The term ‘‘public interest’’ means 
the compelling interest in the prompt public disclosure of civil 
rights cold case records for historical and Governmental pur-
poses and for the purpose of fully informing the people of 
the United States about the history surrounding all civil rights 
cold cases in the United States. 
(12) RECORD.—The term ‘‘record’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 3301 of title 44, United States Code. 
(13) REVIEW BOARD.—The term ‘‘Review Board’’ means the 
Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board established under 
section 5. 
SEC. 3. CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE RECORDS COLLECTION AT THE 
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORD ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
THE
CIVIL
RIGHTS
COLD
CASE 
RECORDS COLLECTION.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Archivist shall— 
(A) commence establishing a collection of civil rights 
cold case records to be known as the ‘‘Civil Rights Cold 
Case Records Collection’’ that ensures the physical integrity 
and original provenance of all records in the Collection; 
(B) commence preparing and publishing the subject 
guidebook and index to the Collection; and 
Publication. 
Deadlines. 
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132 STAT. 5491 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(C) establish criteria for Government offices to follow 
when transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records 
to the Archivist, to include required metadata. 
(2) CONTENTS
OF
COLLECTION.—The Collection shall 
include— 
(A) a copy of each civil rights cold case record— 
(i) that has not been transmitted to the Archivist, 
which shall be transmitted to the Archivist in accord-
ance with section 2107 of title 44, United States Code, 
by the entity described in section 2(3)(B) in possession 
of the civil rights cold case record, except in the case 
of a State or local government; 
(ii) that has been transmitted to the Archivist 
or disclosed to the public in an unredacted form before 
the date of the enactment of this Act; 
(iii) that is required to be transmitted to the 
Archivist; or 
(iv) the disclosure of which is postponed under 
this Act; and 
(B) all Review Board records, as required under this 
Act. 
(b) DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS.—All civil rights cold case records 
transmitted to the Archivist for disclosure to the public— 
(1) shall be included in the Collection; 
(2) not later than 60 days after the transmission of the 
record to the Archivist, shall be available to the public for 
inspection and copying at the National Archives; and 
(3) shall be prioritized for digitization by the National 
Archives. 
(c) FEES FOR COPYING.—The Archivist shall— 
(1) use efficient electronic means when possible; 
(2) charge fees for copying civil rights cold case records; 
and 
(3) grant waivers of such fees pursuant to the standard 
established under section 552(a)(4) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(d) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—The Archivist shall ensure 
the security of civil rights cold case records in the Collection for 
which disclosure is postponed. 
(e) TRANSMISSION TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), each Govern-
ment office shall, in accordance with the criteria established 
by the Archivist under subsection (a)(1)(C)— 
(A) as soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any 
event not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, transmit to the Archivist, for the Archivist 
to make available to the public in accordance with sub-
section (b), a copy of each civil rights cold case record 
that can be publicly disclosed, including any such record 
that is publicly available on the date of enactment of this 
Act, without any redaction, adjustment, or withholding 
under the standards of this Act; and 
(B) transmit to the Archivist upon approval for 
postponement by the Review Board or upon completion 
of other action authorized by this Act, a copy of each 
civil rights cold case record for which public disclosure 
Waiver authority. 
Public inspection. 
Criteria. 
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132 STAT. 5492 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
has been postponed, in whole or in part, under the stand-
ards of this Act, to become part of the protected Collection. 
(2) REOPENING OF CASES.—If, not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General submits 
to the Archivist a certification that the Attorney General 
intends to reopen and pursue prosecution of the civil rights 
cold case to which a civil rights cold case record relates, the 
Attorney General shall transmit to the Archivist the civil rights 
cold case record in accordance with paragraph (1)— 
(A) not later than 90 days after— 
(i) final judgment is entered in the proceedings 
relating to the civil rights cold case; or 
(ii) proceedings relating to the civil rights cold 
case are dismissed with prejudice; or 
(B) not later than the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which the Attorney General submits to the 
Archivist the certification, if an indictment or information 
has not been filed with respect to the civil rights cold 
case. 
(f) PERIODIC REVIEW OF POSTPONED CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE 
RECORDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each civil rights cold case record that 
is redacted or for which public disclosure is postponed shall 
be reviewed not later than December 31 each year by the 
entity submitting the record and the Archivist, consistent with 
the recommendations of the Review Board under section 
7(c)(3)(B). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS
OF
PERIODIC
REVIEW.—The periodic 
review under paragraph (1) shall address the public disclosure 
of additional civil rights cold case records in the Collection 
under the standards of this Act. 
(3) UNCLASSIFIED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION.—Any civil rights 
cold case record for which postponement of public disclosure 
is continued shall include an unclassified written description 
of the reason for such continued postponement, which shall 
be provided to the Archivist and made available on a publicly 
accessible website upon the determination to continue the 
postponement. 
(4) FULL DISCLOSURE OF CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE RECORD 
REQUIRED.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each civil rights cold case record 
that is not publicly disclosed in full as of the date on 
which the Review Board terminates under section 5(n) 
shall be publicly disclosed in full and available in the 
Collection not later than 25 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act unless— 
(i) the head of the originating body, an executive 
agency, or other Government office recommends in 
writing the exemption of the record or information, 
the release of which would clearly and demonstrably 
be expected to— 
(I) cause identifiable or describable damage 
to national security, military defense, law enforce-
ment, intelligence operations, or the conduct of 
foreign relations that is of such gravity that it 
outweighs the public interest in disclosure; or 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Web posting. 
Certification. 
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132 STAT. 5493 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(II) reveal information described in paragraphs 
(1) through (9) of section 3.3(b) of Executive Order 
13526 (75 Fed. Reg. 707; relating to classified 
national security information); 
(ii) the written recommendation described in clause 
(i)— 
(I) is provided to the Archivist not later than 
180 days before the date that is 25 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(II) includes— 
(aa) a justification of the recommendation 
to postpone disclosure; and 
(bb) a recommended specified time at 
which or a specified occurrence following 
which the material may be appropriately dis-
closed to the public under this Act; and 
(iii) the Archivist agrees with the written rec-
ommendation described in clause (i). 
(B) NOTIFICATION.—If the Archivist does not agree with 
the recommendation described in subparagraph (A)(i), the 
Archivist shall notify the head of the originating body, 
executive agency, or other Government office making the 
recommendation not later than 90 days before the date 
that is 25 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(g) DIGITIZATION OF RECORDS.—Each executive agency shall 
make text searchable documents available to the Review Board 
pursuant to standards established under section 552(a)(3) of title 
5, United States Code. 
(h) NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.— 
(1) FINDING.—Congress finds that the public release of 
case-related documents and information without notice may 
significantly affect the victims of the events to which the case 
relates and their next of kin. 
(2) NOTICE.—Not later than 7 days before a civil rights 
cold case record is publicly disclosed, the executive agency 
releasing the civil rights cold case record, in coordination with 
the Government office that had possession or control of the 
civil rights cold case record, shall take all reasonable efforts 
to provide the civil rights cold case record to the victims of 
the events to which the civil rights cold case record relates, 
or their next of kin. 
SEC. 4. GROUNDS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF 
RECORDS. 
Disclosure of civil rights cold case records or particular informa-
tion within a civil rights cold case record to the public may be 
postponed subject to the limitations of this Act if disclosure would 
clearly and demonstrably be expected to— 
(1)(A) cause identifiable or describable damage to national 
security, military defense, law enforcement, intelligence oper-
ations, or the conduct of foreign relations that is of such gravity 
that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure; or 
(B) reveal information described in paragraphs (1) through 
(9) of section 3.3(b) of Executive Order 13526 (75 Fed. Reg. 
707; relating to classified national security information); 
Coordination. 
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132 STAT. 5494 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(2)(A) reveal the name or identity of a living individual 
who provided confidential information to the United States; 
and 
(B) pose a substantial risk of harm to that individual; 
(3) constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; 
(4)(A) compromise the existence of an understanding of 
confidentiality currently requiring protection between a Govern-
ment agent and a cooperating individual or group; and 
(B) be so harmful that the understanding of confidentiality 
outweighs the public interest; 
(5) endanger the life or physical safety of any individual; 
or 
(6) interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings. 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT AND POWERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS COLD 
CASE RECORDS REVIEW BOARD. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established, as an independent 
agency, a board to be known as the Civil Rights Cold Case Records 
Review Board. 
(b) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, 5 individuals to serve 
as members of the Review Board, to ensure and facilitate 
the review, transmission to the Archivist, and public disclosure 
of civil rights cold case records. 
(2) INITIAL APPOINTMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Initial appointments to the Review 
Board shall, so far as practicable, be made not later than 
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In making appointments to 
the Review Board, the President may consider any individ-
uals recommended by the American Historical Association, 
the Organization of American Historians, the Society of 
American Archivists, and the American Bar Association. 
(C) EXTENSION.—If an organization described in 
subparagraph (B) does not recommend at least 2 nominees 
meeting the qualifications stated in paragraph (3) within 
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the deadline 
under subparagraph (A) shall be extended until the earlier 
of 60 days after the date on which such recommendations 
are made or 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(D) ADDITIONAL
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The President 
may request that any organization described in subpara-
graph (B) submit additional recommended nominees. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Individuals nominated to the Review 
Board shall— 
(A) not have had any previous involvement with any 
official investigation or inquiry conducted by the Federal 
Government, or any State or local government, relating 
to any civil rights cold case; 
(B) be distinguished individuals of high national profes-
sional reputation in their respective fields who are capable 
of exercising the independent and objective judgment nec-
essary to fulfill their role in ensuring and facilitating the 
review, transmission to the public, and public disclosure 
of files related to civil rights cold cases and who possess 
Deadlines. 
President. 
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132 STAT. 5495 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
an appreciation of the value of such material to the public, 
scholars, and government; and 
(C) include at least 1 professional historian and 1 
attorney. 
(c) SECURITY CLEARANCES.—All Review Board nominees shall 
be processed for the necessary security clearances in an accelerated 
manner by the appropriate Federal agencies and subject to the 
standard procedures for granting such clearances. 
(d) VACANCY.—A vacancy on the Review Board shall be filled 
in the same manner as the original appointment within 60 days 
of the occurrence of the vacancy. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Review Board shall 
elect 1 of the members as chairperson. 
(f) REMOVAL OF REVIEW BOARD MEMBER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—No member of the Review Board shall 
be removed from office, other than— 
(A) by impeachment and conviction; or 
(B) by the action of the President for inefficiency, 
neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, physical disability, 
mental incapacity, or any other condition that substantially 
impairs the performance of the member’s duties. 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If a member of the Review Board 
is removed from office, and that removal is by the Presi-
dent, not later than 10 days after the removal, the Presi-
dent shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs of the Senate a report specifying the facts found 
and the grounds for the removal. 
(B) PUBLICATION.—The President shall publish in the 
Federal Register a report submitted under subparagraph 
(A), except that the President may, if necessary to protect 
the rights of a person named in the report or to prevent 
undue interference with any pending prosecution, postpone 
or refrain from publishing any or all of the report until 
the completion of such pending cases or pursuant to privacy 
protection requirements in law. 
(3) JUDICIAL REVIEW.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—A member of the Review Board 
removed from office may obtain judicial review of the 
removal in a civil action commenced in the United States 
District Court for the District of Columbia. 
(B) RELIEF.—The member may be reinstated or granted 
other appropriate relief by order of the court. 
(g) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Review Board shall 
be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the 
member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
Review Board. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Review Board 
shall be allowed reasonable travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates for employees of agencies under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
President. 
Deadline. 
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132 STAT. 5496 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
while away from the member’s home or regular place of busi-
ness in the performance of services for the Review Board. 
(h) DUTIES OF THE REVIEW BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Review Board shall consider and 
render decisions on a determination by a Government office 
to seek to postpone the disclosure of civil rights cold case 
records. 
(2) DECISIONS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Review 
Board shall consider and render decisions on— 
(A) whether a record constitutes a civil rights cold 
case record; and 
(B) whether a civil rights cold case record or particular 
information in a record qualifies for postponement of disclo-
sure under this Act. 
(i) POWERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Review Board shall have the 
authority to act in a manner prescribed under this Act including 
the authority to— 
(A) obtain access to civil rights cold case records that 
have been identified and organized by a Government office; 
(B) direct a Government office to make available to 
the Review Board, and if necessary investigate the facts 
surrounding, additional information, records, or testimony 
from individuals, which the Review Board has reason to 
believe is required to fulfill its functions and responsibilities 
under this Act; 
(C) subpoena private persons to compel the production 
of documents and other records relevant to its responsibil-
ities under this Act; 
(D) require any Government office to account in writing 
for the destruction of any records relating to civil rights 
cold cases; 
(E) receive information from the public regarding the 
identification and public disclosure of civil rights cold case 
records; and 
(F) hold hearings, administer oaths, and subpoena 
documents and other records. 
(2) ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENAS.—Any subpoena issued 
under this subsection may be enforced by any appropriate 
Federal court acting pursuant to a lawful request of the Review 
Board. 
(j) WITNESS IMMUNITY.—The Review Board shall be considered 
to be an agency of the United States for purposes of chapter 601 
of title 18, United States Code. 
(k) OVERSIGHT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee on Oversight and Govern-
ment Reform of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate shall have continuing oversight jurisdiction with respect 
to the official conduct of the Review Board and the disposition 
of postponed records after termination of the Review Board, 
and shall have access to any records held or created by the 
Review Board. 
(2) COOPERATION OF REVIEW BOARD.—The Review Board 
shall have a duty to cooperate with the exercise of the oversight 
jurisdiction described in paragraph (1). 
Courts. 
Hearings. 
Subpoena. 
Subpoena. 
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132 STAT. 5497 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(l) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Administrator of General Services 
shall provide administrative services for the Review Board on a 
reimbursable basis. 
(m) INTERPRETIVE REGULATIONS.—The Review Board may issue 
interpretive regulations. 
(n) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Review Board shall terminate not 
later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
except that the Review Board may, by majority vote, extend 
its term for an additional 1-year period if the Review Board 
has not completed its work within that 4-year period. 
(2) REPORTS.—Before its termination, the Review Board 
shall submit reports to the President and the Congress, 
including a complete and accurate accounting of expenditures 
during its existence, and shall complete all other reporting 
requirements under this Act. 
(3) TRANSFER OF RECORDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon termination, the Review Board 
shall transfer all of its records to the Archivist for inclusion 
in the Collection. 
(B) PRESERVATION OF RECORDS.—The records of the 
Review Board shall not be destroyed, except that the 
Archivist may destroy routine administrative records cov-
ered by a general records schedule following notification 
in the Federal Register and after considering comments. 
SEC. 6. REVIEW BOARD PERSONNEL. 
(a) CHIEF OF STAFF.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 45 days after the initial 
meeting of the Review Board, and without regard to political 
affiliation, the Review Board shall appoint an individual to 
the position of Chief of Staff of the Review Board. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The individual appointed as Chief of 
Staff— 
(A) shall be a citizen of the United States of integrity 
and impartiality who is a distinguished professional; and 
(B) shall have had no previous involvement with any 
official investigation or inquiry relating to civil rights cold 
cases. 
(3) CANDIDATE
TO
HAVE
CLEARANCES.—A candidate for 
Chief of Staff shall be granted the necessary security clearances 
in an accelerated manner subject to the standard procedures 
for granting such clearances. 
(4) APPROVAL CONTINGENT ON PRIOR CLEARANCE.—A can-
didate for Chief of Staff shall qualify for the necessary security 
clearance prior to being appointed by the Review Board. 
(5) DUTIES.—The Chief of Staff shall— 
(A) serve as principal liaison to Government offices; 
(B) be responsible for the administration and coordina-
tion of the Review Board’s review of records; 
(C) be responsible for the administration of all official 
activities conducted by the Review Board; and 
(D) have no authority to decide or determine whether 
any record shall be disclosed to the public or postponed 
for disclosure. 
(6) REMOVAL.—The Chief of Staff shall not be removed 
except upon a majority vote of the Review Board to remove 
Coordination. 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Extension. 
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132 STAT. 5498 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
the Chief of Staff for cause on the grounds of inefficiency, 
neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, physical disability, mental 
incapacity, or any other condition that substantially impairs 
the performance of the responsibilities of the Chief of Staff 
or the employees of the Review Board. 
(b) STAFF.— 
(1) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.—The Review Board may, in 
accordance with the civil service laws but without regard to 
civil service laws and regulations for appointments in the 
competitive service under subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 
5, United States Code, appoint and terminate additional 
employees as are necessary to enable the Review Board and 
its Chief of Staff to perform their duties. 
(2) 
REQUIREMENTS.—An 
individual 
appointed 
as 
an 
employee of the Review Board— 
(A) shall be a private citizen of integrity and impar-
tiality; and 
(B) shall have had no previous involvement with any 
official investigation or inquiry relating to civil rights cold 
cases. 
(3) NOMINATIONS.—Before making an appointment pursu-
ant to paragraph (1), the Review Board shall consider individ-
uals recommended by the American Historical Association, the 
Organization of American Historians, the Society of American 
Archivists, and the American Bar Association. 
(4) SECURITY CLEARANCES.—A candidate shall qualify for 
the necessary security clearance prior to being appointed by 
the Review Board. 
(c) COMPENSATION.—The Review Board shall fix the compensa-
tion of the Chief of Staff and other employees in accordance with 
title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay for the 
Chief of Staff and other employees may not exceed the rate payable 
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that 
title. 
(d) ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—The Review Board may create 
advisory committees to assist in fulfilling the responsibilities of 
the Review Board under this Act. 
SEC. 7. REVIEW OF RECORDS BY THE REVIEW BOARD. 
(a) CUSTODY OF RECORDS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD.—Pending 
the outcome of the Review Board’s review activity, a Government 
office shall retain custody of a civil rights cold case record for 
purposes of preservation, security, and efficiency, unless— 
(1) the Review Board requires the physical transfer of 
records for reasons of conducting an independent and impartial 
review; or 
(2) such transfer is necessary for an administrative hearing 
or other official Review Board function. 
(b) STARTUP REQUIREMENTS.—The Review Board shall— 
(1) not later than 90 days after the date on which all 
members of the Review Board are appointed, publish a schedule 
for review of all civil rights cold case records in the Federal 
Register; and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the enactment of this 
Act, begin its review of civil rights cold case records under 
this Act. 
(c) DETERMINATION OF THE REVIEW BOARD.— 
Schedule. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Deadlines. 
Appointment. 
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132 STAT. 5499 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Review Board shall direct that copies 
of all civil rights cold case records be transmitted to the 
Archivist and disclosed to the public in the Collection in the 
absence of clear and convincing evidence that— 
(A) a Government record is not a civil rights cold 
case record; or 
(B) a Government record or particular information 
within a civil rights cold case record qualifies for postpone-
ment of public disclosure under this Act, which shall 
include consideration by the Review Board of relevant laws 
and policies protecting criminal records of juveniles. 
(2) POSTPONEMENT.—In approving postponement of public 
disclosure of a civil rights cold case record, the Review Board 
shall work to— 
(A) provide for the disclosure of segregable parts, sub-
stitutes, or summaries of such a record; and 
(B) determine, in consultation with the originating 
body and consistent with the standards for postponement 
under this Act, which of the following alternative forms 
of disclosure shall be made by the originating body: 
(i) Any reasonably segregable particular informa-
tion in a civil rights cold case record. 
(ii) A substitute record for that information which 
is postponed. 
(iii) A summary of a civil rights cold case record. 
(3) REPORT.—With respect to each civil rights cold case 
record or particular information in civil rights cold case records 
the public disclosure of which is postponed under section 4, 
or for which only substitutions or summaries have been dis-
closed to the public, the Review Board shall create and transmit 
to the Archivist a report containing— 
(A) a description of actions by the Review Board, the 
originating body, the President, or any Government office 
(including a justification of any such action to postpone 
disclosure of any record or part of any record) and of 
any official proceedings conducted by the Review Board 
with regard to specific civil rights cold case records; and 
(B) a statement, based on a review of the proceedings 
and in conformity with the decisions reflected therein, des-
ignating a recommended specified time at which or a speci-
fied occurrence following which the material may be appro-
priately disclosed to the public under this Act. 
(4) NOTICE.—Not later than 14 days after the Review Board 
makes a determination that a civil rights cold case record 
shall be publicly disclosed in the Collection or postponed for 
disclosure and held in the protected Collection, the Review 
Board shall notify the head of the originating body of its deter-
mination and publish a copy of the determination in the Federal 
Register. 
(5) OTHER NOTICE.—Contemporaneous notice shall be made 
to the President of Review Board determinations regarding 
executive branch civil rights cold case records, and to the over-
sight committees designated in this Act in the case of legislative 
branch records. Such notice shall contain an unclassified writ-
ten justification for public disclosure or postponement of disclo-
sure, including an explanation of the application of any stand-
ards under section 4. 
Deadline. 
Determination. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Summary. 
Consultation. 
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132 STAT. 5500 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(d) PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY OVER REVIEW BOARD DETERMINA-
TION.— 
(1) PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE
OR
POSTPONEMENT
OF
DISCLO-
SURE.—After the Review Board has made a formal determina-
tion concerning the public disclosure or postponement of disclo-
sure of an executive branch civil rights cold case record or 
information contained in a civil rights cold case record, obtained 
or developed solely within the executive branch, the President 
shall have the sole and nondelegable authority to require the 
disclosure or postponement of such record or information under 
the standards set forth in section 4, and the President shall 
provide the Review Board with an unclassified written certifi-
cation specifying the President’s decision within 30 days after 
the Review Board’s determination and notice to the executive 
agency as required under this Act, stating the justification 
for the President’s decision, including the applicable grounds 
for postponement under section 4. 
(2) PERIODIC REVIEW.—Any executive branch civil rights 
cold case record for which public disclosure is postponed by 
the President shall be subject to the requirements of periodic 
review and declassification of classified information and public 
disclosure in the Collection set forth in section 3. 
(3) RECORD OF PRESIDENTIAL POSTPONEMENT.—The Review 
Board shall, upon its receipt, publish in the Federal Register 
a copy of any unclassified written certification, statement, or 
other materials transmitted by or on behalf of the President 
with regard to postponement of the public disclosure of civil 
rights cold case records. 
(e) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.—On each day that is on or after 
the date that is 60 days after the Review Board first approves 
the postponement of disclosure of a civil rights cold case record, 
the Review Board shall publish on a publicly available website 
a notice that summarizes the postponements approved by the 
Review Board or initiated by the President, including a description 
of the subject, originating body, length or other physical description, 
and each ground for postponement that is relied upon. 
(f) REPORTS BY THE REVIEW BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Review Board shall report its activi-
ties to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House 
of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the 
Minority Leader of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the President, 
the Archivist, and the head of any Government office whose 
records have been the subject of Review Board activity. 
(2) DEADLINES.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter until termi-
nation of the Review Board, the Review Board shall issue 
a report under paragraph (1). 
(3) CONTENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following information: 
(A) A financial report of the expenses for all official 
activities and requirements of the Review Board and its 
employees. 
Time period. 
Web posting. 
Summary. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
Certification. 
Deadline. 
Notice. 
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132 STAT. 5501 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
(B) The progress made on review, transmission to the 
Archivist, and public disclosure of civil rights cold case 
records. 
(C) The estimated time and volume of civil rights cold 
case records involved in the completion of the Review 
Board’s performance under this Act. 
(D) Any special problems, including requests and the 
level of cooperation of Government offices, with regard 
to the ability of the Review Board to operate as required 
by this Act. 
(E) A record of review activities, including a record 
of postponement decisions by the Review Board or other 
related actions authorized by this Act, and a record of 
the volume of records reviewed and postponed. 
(F) Recommendations and requests to Congress for 
additional authorization. 
(G) An appendix containing copies of reports of post-
poned records to the Archivist required under subsection 
(c)(3) made since the date of the preceding report under 
this subsection. 
(4) NOTICE OF TERMINATION.—Not later than 90 days before 
terminating, the Review Board shall provide written notice 
to the President and the Congress of its intention to terminate 
its operations at a specified date. 
SEC. 8. DISCLOSURE OF OTHER INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL 
STUDY. 
(a) MATERIALS UNDER THE SEAL OF THE COURT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Review Board may request the 
Attorney General to petition any court in the United States 
or abroad to release any information relevant to civil rights 
cold cases that is held under seal of court. 
(2) GRAND JURY MATERIALS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Review Board may request the 
Attorney General to petition any court in the United States 
to release any information relevant to civil rights cold 
cases that is held under the injunction of secrecy of a 
grand jury. 
(B) PARTICULARIZED NEED.—A request for disclosure 
of civil rights cold case records under this Act shall be 
deemed to constitute a showing of particularized need 
under rule 6 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. 
(3) DEADLINE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General shall respond 
to any request that is subject to this subsection within 
45 days. 
(B) NONDISCLOSURE OF GRAND JURY INFORMATION.— 
If the Attorney General determines that information rel-
evant to a civil rights cold case that is held under the 
injunction of secrecy of a grand jury should not be made 
public, the Attorney General shall set forth in the response 
to the request the reasons for the determination. 
(b) COOPERATION WITH AGENCIES.—It is the sense of Congress 
that— 
(1) the Attorney General should assist the Review Board 
in good faith to unseal any records that the Review Board 
Determination. 
Deadline. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Estimate. 
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132 STAT. 5502 
PUBLIC LAW 115–426—JAN. 8, 2019 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3191: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 115–424 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018): 
Dec. 17, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 21, considered and passed House. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2019): 
Jan. 8, Presidential statement. 
determines to be relevant and held under the seal by a court 
or under the injunction of secrecy of a grand jury; and 
(2) all departments and agencies of the United States 
Government should cooperate in full with the Review Board 
to seek the disclosure of all information relevant to civil rights 
cold cases consistent with the public interest. 
SEC. 9. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) PRECEDENCE OVER OTHER LAW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), when this Act 
requires transmission of a record to the Archivist or public 
disclosure, it shall take precedence over any other law (except 
section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), judicial 
decisions construing such law, or common law doctrine that 
would otherwise prohibit such transmission or disclosure with 
the exception of deeds governing access to or transfer or release 
of gifts and donations of records to the United States Govern-
ment. 
(2) PERSONNEL AND MEDICAL FILES.—This Act shall not 
require the public disclosure of information that is exempt 
from disclosure under section 552(b)(6) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(b) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.—Nothing in this Act shall 
be construed to eliminate or limit any right to file any requests 
with any executive agency or seek judicial review of the decisions 
under section 552 of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to preclude judicial review, under chapter 7 of title 5, United 
States Code, of final actions taken or required to be taken under 
this Act. 
(d) EXISTING AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this Act revokes or limits 
the existing authority of the President, any executive agency, the 
Senate, the House of Representatives, or any other entity of the 
Government to publicly disclose records in its possession. 
SEC. 10. FUNDING. 
Until such time as funds are appropriated to carry out this 
Act, the President shall use such sums as are available for discre-
tionary use to carry out this Act. 
Approved January 8, 2019. 
President. 
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