WASHINGTON, DC – The House Judiciary Committee has given final approval to a Delahunt-authored bill that would require federal agencies to consider the possible privacy implications of any regulations that they propose.

HR 2840, the Federal Agency Privacy Protection Act, would require federal agencies to produce “privacy impact” analyses as part of any new proposed regulations and when the final rules are published after public comment periods. 

In addition, agencies would have to alert the public that as part of the proposed new rule,  personally identifiable data is being collected, ensure this information is not used for unintended purposes, and allow people to correct any inaccuracies. 

Agencies can seek a waiver from this requirement to prevent the disclosure of classified information that would harm legal investigations.  In such an instance, the agency would be required to send a classified report to the Judiciary Committee in lieu of making the information available to the public.

HR 2840 passed unanimously.  It is now up to the Speaker and the Rules Committee to decide when, or if, the Delahunt bill will be debated by the full House of Representatives.

Congressman Delahunt is a member of the House Judiciary Committee. 
 

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