S. 3191: Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

115th Congress · Sponsored from Alabama · Became law

What this bill does

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to: (1) establish a collection of civil rights cold case records; (2) prepare and publish the subject guidebook and index to the collection; and (3) establish criteria for transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records to NARA, to include required metadata. All civil rights cold case records transmitted to NARA for disclosure to the public shall be included in the collection, available to the public for inspection and copying, and prioritized for digitization by NARA. The bill requires redacted records or records for which public disclosure is postponed to be reviewed annually. The bill enumerates grounds for which disclosure of records may be postponed, including causing damage to national security, invading personal privacy, or interfering with ongoing law enforcement proceedings. The bill establishes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board as an independent agency of impartial private citizens. The board shall consider and render decisions on determinations to seek postponement of disclosure of civil rights cold case records. With the exception of certain administrative records, records of the review board shall not be destroyed. The review board may request the Department of Justice to petition any court in the United States or abroad to release information relevant to civil rights cold cases held under seal of court. A similar request may be made to a court in the United States for release of information held under an injunction of grand-jury secrecy.

Key facts

• Status Became law
• Introduced 2018-07-10
• Policy area Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
• Cosponsors 3
• Latest action Became Public Law No: 115-426.

Sponsor

Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]

Lead sponsor · Alabama

D

Who funds the sponsor?

Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL] introduced S. 3191. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with S. 3191? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →