An act to limit governmental search and seizure of documentary materials possessed by persons, to provide a remedy for persons aggrieved by violations of the provisions of this Act, and for other purposes.

Summary

Privacy Protection Act of 1979 - Title I: First Amendment Privacy Protection - Permits government employees to search for and seize work product materials possessed by a person in connection with public communication only if: (1) there is probable cause to believe that the possessor has committed or is committing the criminal offense for which the materials are sought, with specified exceptions; or (2) immediate seizure is necessary to prevent death or bodily injury. Permits government employees to search for or seize documentary materials possessed by a person in connection with a public communication only if: (1) there is probable cause to believe that the possessor has committed or is committing the criminal offense for which the materials are sought; (2) immediate seizure is necessary to prevent death or bodily injury; (3) a subpoena duces tecum would result in the destruction or concealment of the materials; or (4) the materials have not been produced in response to a subpoena duces tecum. Title II: Confidential Information Protection - Permits government employees to search for or seize documentary materials or work products that are considered to be privileged only in the same circumstances spelled out in title I that permit the seizure of documentary materials. Title III: Citizens Privacy Protection - Permits government employees to search for or seize any documentary or work product materials possessed by any person only in the same circumstances spelled out in Title I that permit the seizure of documentary materials. Title IV: Remedies, Exceptions, and Definitions - Exempts searches and seizures conducted to enforce United States customs laws from this Act. Gives persons aggrieved by violations of this Act a civil cause of action against the governmental unit and the violator. Entitles such aggrieved persons to actual and punitive damages and reasonable attorneys' fees. Grants original jurisdiction of such actions to United States district courts.

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Documents

6 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 14 October 1980

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• Conference report filed in House

  summary · EN · 26 September 1980

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 22 September 1980

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 4 August 1980

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 28 July 1980

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 21 September 1979

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