Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 108th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D ThompsonSponsor

10 cosponsors · 10 D

6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the primary mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that civil rights are not diminished by efforts aimed at securing the homeland.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Sep 29, 2004

Requires DHS's Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to report directly to the Secretary of DHS. Includes among the Officer's responsibilities to: (1) assist the Secretary, directorates, and offices of DHS to develop, implement, and periodically review DHS policies and procedures to ensure that the protection of civil rights is appropriately incorporated into DHS programs and activities; (2) oversee compliance with requirements relating to civil rights; (3) coordinate with the DHS Privacy Officer; and (4) investigate complaints and information indicating possible abuses of civil rights unless the DHS Inspector General (IG) determines that such complaints or information should be investigated by the IG.

Directs the IG to designate a senior official within the IG's Office to perform specified functions, including initiating investigations of alleged abuses by DHS employees, officials, contractors, or grantees.

Requires the Privacy Officer to report directly to the Secretary. Makes the Privacy Officer responsible for coordinating with the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to ensure that programs, policies, and procedures involving civil rights and privacy are addressed in a comprehensive manner and that Congress receives appropriate reports.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004

Latest action (Nov 5, 2004): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: House · Introduced: Sep 29, 2004

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.