Skip to main content
HR 50 101th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil actions and liability Constitutional torts Criminal investigation Government Operations and Politics

Federal Bureau of Investigation First Amendment Protection Act of 1989

Introduced: January 3, 1989 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 3, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 3, 1989
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Bureau of Investigation First Amendment Protection Act of 1989 - Prohibits the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from initiating or conducting any investigation that may involve the collection of information about the exercise by a U.S. person of first amendment rights, except as specified. Requires the Attorney General to issue guidelines for investigations covered by this Act.

Sets forth standards to be followed by the FBI in the conduct of an investigation, the disposition of any records obtained, and the periodic review of open investigations.

Provides a civil remedy for any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act.

Waives the provisions of this Act with respect to background investigations conducted with the consent of the subject regarding: (1) nominees to judicial and executive branch positions requiring the advice and consent of the Senate; (2) employees of the Department of Justice; or (3) the granting or retention of security clearances.

What's happening now January 3, 1989

Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Mar 29, 1990
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Nov 3, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 50: Federal Bureau of Investigation First Amendment Protection Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-50/
MLA
"H.R. 50: Federal Bureau of Investigation First Amendment Protection Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-50/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 50, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-50/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 50: Federal Bureau of Investigation First Amendment Protection Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-50/)
Report a problem