To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to design and establish a pilot program to facilitate voluntary information sharing between State, local, and regional fusion centers and certain technology companies related to threats of imminent violence, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Aug 2020): Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.
What this bill does
H.R. 7915, the "Protecting America through Information Sharing Act," would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a pilot program enabling voluntary information sharing between social networking companies and state, local, tribal, or territorial (SLTT) law enforcement about online threats of imminent violence. The Secretary would designate a fusion center or law enforcement agency as a "clearinghouse" to receive, analyze, and forward such threats to appropriate authorities. The bill requires a policy framework developed in consultation with privacy and civil liberties groups, sets criteria for selecting the clearinghouse, and provides limited legal liability protection for companies and law enforcement acting in good faith under the program, with exceptions for intentional misconduct or malice.
The bill affects social networking companies, fusion centers, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies, all of whose participation would be voluntary. It explicitly states companies cannot be required to participate or share information, and law enforcement is not required to act on any threat received. Provisions also address reimbursement of overtime and travel costs for participating SLTT personnel, and restrictions ensuring shared information excludes subscriber data and complies with existing privacy law.
The bill would require a program to be established within one year of enactment, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment assessing its effectiveness. It authorizes $3 million for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Introduced in the House on July 31, 2020, by Rep. Michael McCaul and referred to the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, the bill did not receive a vote before the 116th Congress ended, and it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protecting America through Information Sharing Act
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a pilot program to facilitate the voluntary sharing of information by social networking website companies regarding threats of imminent violence posted on such websites.
Any framework established for sharing threat information shall include the consultation of civil liberty and privacy groups on a biannual basis to discuss the development of a framework protecting civil liberties and privacy, and the enforcement of policies guiding the pilot program in protecting civil liberties and privacy.
In establishing the pilot program, DHS shall designate a federal or state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement agency or regional fusion center to serve as a centralized clearinghouse between social networking website companies and law enforcement.
Timeline
1 Aug 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7915 do?
- H.R. 7915, the "Protecting America through Information Sharing Act," would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a pilot program enabling voluntary information sharing between social networking companies and state, local, tribal, or territorial (SLTT) law enforcement about online threats of imminent violence. The Secretary would designate a fusion center or law enforcement agency as a "clearinghouse" to receive, analyze, and forward such threats to appropriate authorities. The bill requires a policy framework developed in consultation with privacy and civil liberties groups, sets criteria for selecting the clearinghouse, and provides limited legal liability protection for companies and law enforcement acting in good faith under the program, with exceptions for intentional misconduct or malice. The bill affects social networking companies, fusion centers, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies, all of whose participation would be voluntary. It explicitly states companies cannot be required to participate or share information, and law enforcement is not required to act on any threat received. Provisions also address reimbursement of overtime and travel costs for participating SLTT personnel, and restrictions ensuring shared information excludes subscriber data and complies with existing privacy law. The bill would require a program to be established within one year of enactment, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment assessing its effectiveness. It authorizes $3 million for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Introduced in the House on July 31, 2020, by Rep. Michael McCaul and referred to the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, the bill did not receive a vote before the 116th Congress ended, and it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 7915 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 7915. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7915?
- H.R. 7915 was sponsored by Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] (R-TX), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7915?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism. (1 Aug 2020).
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