Bill > S1208

This bill modernizes the Privacy Act by updating key definitions and strengthening protections for individuals' personal information held by government agencies. It expands the definition of "record" and "personally identifiable information" to include a broader range of data, including information linked to devices, and clarifies what it means to "process" such information. The bill introduces more stringent requirements for how agencies collect, use, and disclose personal data, mandating that they only use records for legally authorized purposes and disclose the minimum amount of information necessary. It also enhances civil and criminal penalties for mishandling personal information, allowing courts to award damages (including punitive damages) for intentional or willful violations and increasing potential fines and prison sentences for serious offenses like selling or misusing personal records. The bill applies to a wide range of government entities, including special government employees and temporary consultants, and provides a two-year transition period for most agencies to implement these changes, with some exceptions for specific government organizations like the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Importantly, the bill includes a rule of construction that prevents the legislation from being interpreted as retroactively changing the understanding of previous privacy protections.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1208/all-info