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HR 984 111th Congress House Law Civil actions and liability Evidence and witnesses Government information and archives Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Judicial procedure and administration Judicial review and appeals Jurisdiction and venue

State Secret Protection Act of 2009

Introduced: February 11, 2009 Introduced by: Nadler, Jerrold Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 5, 2009
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
Nov 5, 2009
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 11, 2009
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jun 11, 2009
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 4, 2009
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 29, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Feb 11, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 11, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

State Secret Protection Act of 2009 - Declares that in any civil action brought in federal or state court the government has a privilege to refuse to give information and to prevent any person from giving information only if the government shows that public disclosure of the information that the government seeks to protect would be reasonably likely to cause significant harm to the national defense or the diplomatic relations of the United States.

Requires the court to take steps, including in camera hearings and other proceedings, to protect sensitive information that comes before it.

Sets forth rules regarding the participation of counsel or the disclosure of information when it presents a risk of harm. Provides for court-ordered presentation of adequate or nonprivileged substitutes for privileged information.

Allows the government to: (1) assert the privilege in connection with any claim in a civil action to which it is a party; or (2) intervene in a civil action to which it is not a party in order to do so.

Provides that once the government has asserted the privilege, and before the court makes any determinations, the court shall: (1) undertake a preliminary review of the information in question; and (2) provide the government an opportunity to seek protective measures under this Act.

Establishes procedures and a standard for assessing the privilege claim.

Allows disclosure of information to a nongovernmental party, or admission at trial under the rules of evidence, if the court determines that the privilege is not validly asserted. Prohibits such disclosure or admission if the privilege is determined valid.

Grants the courts of appeal jurisdiction of an appeal by any party from any interlocutory decision or order of a U.S. district court.


What's happening now November 5, 2009

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2