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H.R. 4170 116th Congress House

ENCRYPT Act of 2019

Official title: To preempt State data security vulnerability mandates and decryption requirements.

Introduced: August 6, 2019 Introduced by: Ted Lieu Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Computer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyConsumer affairsFederal preemption
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRight of privacyState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Aug 7, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Aug 6, 2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Aug 6, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 25, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications Act of 2019 or the ENCRYPT Act of 2019

This bill prohibits a state from requiring a manufacturer, developer, seller, or provider of a technology product or service to (1) alter the security functions of its product or service to allow a government agency to conduct a physical search or user surveillance, or (2) use its product or service to decrypt encrypted information.

A technology product or service includes a commercial computer product, electronic device, or online service that is publicly available.

Additionally, it bars a state from prohibiting the manufacture, sale or lease, or provision of a technology product or service because it uses encryption or similar security functions.

 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. 4170: ENCRYPT Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4170/
MLA
"H.R. 4170: ENCRYPT Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4170/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4170, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4170/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4170: ENCRYPT Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4170/)
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