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Public Law115th CongressCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
S. 3191Became Law

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Jan 8, 2019)

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.

What just happenedJan 8, 2019

Became Public Law No: 115-426.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL](D-AL)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors1committees27actions1amendments1related bills10subjects
  1. Jan 8, 2019President

    Became Public Law No: 115-426.

  2. Jan 8, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-426.

  3. Jan 8, 2019President

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 8, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 27, 2018Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 27, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 21, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Dec 21, 2018FloorH37300

    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)

  9. Dec 21, 2018Floor8000

    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)

  10. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10537-10538)

  11. Dec 21, 2018FloorH37220

    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.

  12. Dec 21, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3191.

  13. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10527-10531)

  14. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Walker moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  15. Dec 19, 2018FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  16. Dec 19, 2018FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  17. Dec 18, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  18. Dec 17, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  19. Dec 17, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  20. Dec 17, 2018Floor

    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7727-7731; text as reported in Senate: CR S7727-7734)

  21. Dec 17, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7727-7731)

  22. Dec 10, 2018Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 727.

  23. Dec 10, 2018Committee

    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.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  24. Dec 10, 2018Committee14000

    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.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  25. Sep 26, 2018Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  26. Jul 10, 2018IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4877-4878)

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  27. Jul 10, 2018IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawJan 8, 201949

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.

Introduced in SenateJul 10, 2018

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.

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 — Informed