Skip to main content
H.R. 546 117th Congress House

Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act

Official title: To regulate monitoring of electronic communications between an incarcerated person in a Bureau of Prisons facility and that person's attorney or other legal representative, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 28, 2021 Introduced by: Hakeem S. Jeffries Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Correctional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal justice information and recordsDetention of personsEvidence and witnesses
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Lawyers and legal servicesRight of privacyTelephone and wireless communication
Sign in to write a letter

Free account. One morning email at most, only on days something moved. Already have one? Sign in.

This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 25, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 24, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 11 (Roll no. 36). (text: 02/23/2020 CR H557-558)
Feb 24, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 24, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H610-611)
Feb 23, 2021
Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 23, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Feb 23, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 546.
Feb 23, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H557-560)
Jan 28, 2021
Introduced in House
Jan 28, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 24, 2021 House · vote #36 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 414–11 See who voted →
 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.

 Latest action February 25, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of a privileged electronic communication between an incarcerated person and his or her legal representative.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5546 Reintroduction of Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 2 Republican 5
R
Crenshaw, Dan
Texas · Feb 11, 2021
 R
Johnson, Dusty
South Dakota · Feb 11, 2021
Jackson Lee, Sheila
· Feb 1, 2021
Armstrong, Kelly
· Jan 28, 2021
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Jan 28, 2021
Cicilline, David
· Jan 28, 2021
 R
Mace, Nancy
South Carolina · Jan 28, 2021
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Jan 28, 2021
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Jan 28, 2021
 D
Neguse, Joe
Colorado · Jan 28, 2021
Taylor, Van
· Jan 28, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 546: Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-546/
MLA
"H.R. 546: Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-546/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 546, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-546/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 546: Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-546/)
Report a problem