US HB592 | 2011-2012 | 112th Congress
Status
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: Introduced on February 9 2011 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2011-02-14 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Status: Introduced on February 9 2011 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2011-02-14 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011 - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court, in any civil action in which the pleadings state facts relevant to the protection of public health or safety, from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement agreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records, unless in connection with such order the court has first made independent findings of fact that: (1) the order would not restrict the disclosure of information relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or potential health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the confidentiality interest asserted. Prohibits a court, again in any such civil action, from: (1) enforcing any provision of an agreement between or among parties to the civil action, or an order entered under this Act, that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency with authority to enforce laws regulating an activity relating to such information; or (2) enforcing any provision of a settlement agreement between or among parties to such civil action that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement (excluding any money paid) that involve matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety, or from discussing matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety involved in such civil action. Excepts from this enforcement prohibition (thus allowing enforcement of) a settlement agreement provision about which the court finds that the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or potential public health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information in question, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the confidentiality interest asserted. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information of an individual outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit, require, or authorize the disclosure of classified information, as defined under the Classified Information Procedures Act.
Title
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011
Sponsors
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D-NY] | Rep. Theodore Deutch [D-FL] | Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D-OH] | Rep. Fortney Stark [D-CA] |
History
Date | Chamber | Action |
---|---|---|
2011-02-14 | House | Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law. |
2011-02-09 | House | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. |
Same As/Similar To
SB623 (Related) 2011-08-02 - By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 112-45. Minority views filed.
Subjects
Civil actions and liability
Evidence and witnesses
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Law
Right of privacy
Evidence and witnesses
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Law
Right of privacy
US Congress State Sources
Type | Source |
---|---|
Summary | https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/592/all-info |
Text | https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr592/BILLS-112hr592ih.pdf |