S. 2536: Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2004-06-17 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 704.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2004-06-17 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 704. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004

Plain summary

Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the primary mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that civil rights are not diminished by efforts aimed at securing the homeland. (Sec. 3) Requires DHS's Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to: (1) report directly to the Secretary of DHS; and (2) review and assess information concerning civil rights abuses and profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion by DHS employees and officials. Includes among the Officer's responsibilities to: (1) assist the Secretary, directorates, and offices of DHS to develop, implement, and periodically review DHS policies and procedures to ensure that the protection of civil rights is appropriately incorporated into DHS programs and activities; (2) oversee compliance with requirements relating to civil rights; (3) coordinate with the DHS privacy officer to ensure that programs, policies, and procedures involving civil rights and privacy considerations are addressed in an integrated and comprehensive manner and that Congress receives appropriate reports regarding such programs; and (4) investigate complaints and information indicating possible abuses not to be investigated by DHS's Inspector General (IG). (Sec. 4) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to direct DHS's IG to designate a senior official within the Office of Inspector General to: (1) coordinate Office activities regarding investigations of civil rights abuses; (2) receive, review, and investigate information alleging abuses by DHS employees or by employees of independent contractors or grantees of DHS; (3) ensure that Office personnel receive sufficient training to conduct effective investigations; (4) consult with the Civil Rights Officer regarding such alleged abuses and any policy recommendations that may be founded upon an investigation by the Office; (5) provide such Officer with information regarding investigation outcomes; (6) refer civil rights matters that the IG decides not to investigate to such Officer; (7) ensure that the IG's Office publicizes and provides convenient public access to information regarding the procedure to file complaints or comments concerning civil rights matters and the status of investigations; and (8) inform the Officer of any civil rights deficiencies within DHS. (Sec. 5) Amends the Homeland Security Act to require the DHS privacy officer to report directly to the Secretary and to coordinate with the Civil Rights Officer to ensure that programs involving civil rights and privacy are addressed in an integrated and comprehensive manner and that Congress receives appropriate reports.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 2536, Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004 (2004-08-04); CBO cost estimate: S. 2536, Homeland Security Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2004 (2004-08-04)

Cosponsors on this site

Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] reported raising $22.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108s2536.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/s>

Record fed-us-cong108-s2536 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108