Press Protection Act

Summary

Press Protection Act - Prohibits any person acting under color of law, without a prior adversary court proceeding, from searching any place or seizing any things in the possession, custody, or control of any person engaged in the gathering or dissemination of news for the print or broadcast media, unless with a warrant issued by a court upon probable cause that such person has committed or is committing a criminal offense. Establishes a criminal fine of not more than $10,000 for violation of this Act, and creates a civil cause of action for any person aggrieved by a violation. Allows punitive damages of up to $10,000, and reasonable attorneys fees.

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Timeline

1. 1 August 1978

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 1 August 1978

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 1 August 1978

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 1 August 1978

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Drinan, Robert F. [D-MA-4] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Cavanaugh, John J. [D-NE-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Patterson, Jerry M. [D-CA-38] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Roe, Robert A. [D-NJ-8] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Traxler, Bob [D-MI-8] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Walgren, Doug [D-PA-18] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Press Protection Act