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HR 537 113th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil actions and liability Elementary and secondary education Employee hiring Employment discrimination and employee rights Higher education Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Right of privacy School administration

Social Networking Online Protection Act

Introduced: February 6, 2013 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 23, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Apr 23, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Apr 23, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Feb 6, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Feb 6, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Social Networking Online Protection Act - Prohibits employers from: (1) requiring or requesting that an employee or applicant for employment provide a user name, password, or any other means for accessing a private email account or personal account on a social networking website; or (2) discharging, disciplining, discriminating against, denying employment or promotion to, or threatening to take any such action against any employee or applicant who refuses to provide such information, files a compliant or institutes a proceeding under this Act, or testifies in any such proceeding.

Sets forth, with respect to employer violations of this Act: (1) civil penalities; (2) the authority of the Secretary of Labor to bring injunctive actions; and (3) the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts to provide legal or equitable relief including employment, reinstatement, promotion, and payment of lost wages and benefits.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit certain institutions of higher education and local educational agencies from requesting such password or account information from students or potential students. Prohibits denial of admission, suspension, expulsion, and other discipline or discrimination against students who decline to provide such information, file a complaint, institute a proceeding, or testify in any related proceeding.

What's happening now April 23, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 537: Social Networking Online Protection Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-537/
MLA
"H.R. 537: Social Networking Online Protection Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-537/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 537, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-537/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 537: Social Networking Online Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-537/)
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