Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (29 May 2026): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
H.R. 9076, the Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026, would amend federal criminal law (title 18, U.S. Code) to restrict how government agencies use "mail covers"—a Postal Service practice of recording information from the outside of mail without opening it. Under the bill, a governmental entity could not use a mail cover unless it first obtained a court order. A court could issue such an order only if the agency presented specific, articulable facts showing reasonable grounds to believe the mail cover information is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation, and state authorities could not obtain an order if state law prohibits it. The bill also directs the Chief Postal Inspector, upon request, to preserve related records for 90 days while an order is sought, with one 90-day renewal allowed.
The bill affects federal, state, and local law enforcement or other governmental entities that seek to use mail covers, as well as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which implements the requirement. It effectively adds a judicial oversight step to a surveillance tool that previously could be authorized administratively.
The bill was introduced in the House on May 29, 2026, by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the House, the Senate, and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
29 May 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9076 do?
- H.R. 9076, the Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026, would amend federal criminal law (title 18, U.S. Code) to restrict how government agencies use "mail covers"—a Postal Service practice of recording information from the outside of mail without opening it. Under the bill, a governmental entity could not use a mail cover unless it first obtained a court order. A court could issue such an order only if the agency presented specific, articulable facts showing reasonable grounds to believe the mail cover information is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation, and state authorities could not obtain an order if state law prohibits it. The bill also directs the Chief Postal Inspector, upon request, to preserve related records for 90 days while an order is sought, with one 90-day renewal allowed. The bill affects federal, state, and local law enforcement or other governmental entities that seek to use mail covers, as well as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which implements the requirement. It effectively adds a judicial oversight step to a surveillance tool that previously could be authorized administratively. The bill was introduced in the House on May 29, 2026, by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the House, the Senate, and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 9076 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9076. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9076?
- H.R. 9076 was sponsored by Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (D-PA), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9076?
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (29 May 2026).
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