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Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act

Introduced: February 12, 2020 Introduced by: Merkley, Jeff Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 12, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Feb 12, 2020
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act

This bill prohibits any officer, employee, or contractor of a federal agency from engaging in specified activities with respect to facial recognition technology without a warrant until a congressional commission established by this bill recommends rules governing the use and limitations on both government and commercial use of such technology.

Specifically, it prohibits any such individual from setting up a camera to be used in connection with facial recognition technology, accessing or using information obtained from such technology, or importing such technology to identify an individual in the United States until Congress enacts legislation implementing the guidelines established by the commission.

The bill permits an aggrieved person to bring a civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief in the appropriate U.S. district court.

No federal funds may be used by a state or local government to invest in facial recognition software, purchase facial recognition technology services, or acquire images for use in facial recognition technology systems.

What's happening now February 12, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1