Security Screening Confidential Data Privacy Act
Latest action (16 Dec 2010): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 4037, the Security Screening Confidential Data Privacy Act, would create a new federal criminal offense related to images produced by "advanced imaging technology"—such as backscatter x-ray or millimeter-wave body scanners—used to screen individuals at airports or when entering federally owned buildings. The bill would make it illegal for an individual to photograph or otherwise record such a screening image without express authorization under federal law or regulation, or to distribute such an image to someone not authorized to receive it. Violators could be fined, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
The bill includes two exceptions: it would not apply to someone acting within their job who records or distributes such an image solely for use in a criminal investigation or prosecution, or to a journalist (as defined in the bill) who publishes an image while holding a good-faith belief it was not recorded or distributed unlawfully. The measure would primarily affect security personnel, travelers and visitors subject to body scanning, and anyone who might record or share such images, including members of the press.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 16, 2010, by Senator Charles Schumer along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 111th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Security Screening Confidential Data Privacy Act - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to one year on any individual who: (1) photographs or otherwise records an image produced using advanced imaging technology during the screening of an individual at an airport or upon entry into any building owned or operated by the federal government without express authorization pursuant to a federal law or regulation; or (2) distributes such image to any individual who is not authorized pursuant to a federal law or regulation to receive it.
Exempts: (1) individuals who record or distribute an image soley to be used in a criminal investigation or prosecution; and (2) journalists who publish an image in good faith that the image was not recorded or distributed in violation of such prohibition.
Common questions
- What does S. 4037 do?
- S. 4037, the Security Screening Confidential Data Privacy Act, would create a new federal criminal offense related to images produced by "advanced imaging technology"—such as backscatter x-ray or millimeter-wave body scanners—used to screen individuals at airports or when entering federally owned buildings. The bill would make it illegal for an individual to photograph or otherwise record such a screening image without express authorization under federal law or regulation, or to distribute such an image to someone not authorized to receive it. Violators could be fined, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. The bill includes two exceptions: it would not apply to someone acting within their job who records or distributes such an image solely for use in a criminal investigation or prosecution, or to a journalist (as defined in the bill) who publishes an image while holding a good-faith belief it was not recorded or distributed unlawfully. The measure would primarily affect security personnel, travelers and visitors subject to body scanning, and anyone who might record or share such images, including members of the press. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 16, 2010, by Senator Charles Schumer along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 111th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
- Has S. 4037 become law?
- Not yet. As of 16 Dec 2010, S. 4037 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 4037?
- S. 4037 was sponsored by Sen. Charles “Chuck” Schumer [D-NY] (Democrat-NY), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4037?
- Introduced (16 Dec 2010).
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