H.R. 4381: Biometric Information Privacy Act

113th Congress · introduced 2014-04-02 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2014-04-02 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Stockman, Steve [R-TX-36] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. 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

Biometric Information Privacy Act

Plain summary

Biometric Information Privacy Act - Establishes an offense that subjects business entities (including organizations, trusts, and nonprofits), government entities, and people to penalties for knowingly: (1) obtaining in a fraudulent manner personal physiological biometric information relating to an individual, or (2) disclosing such information without permission from the individuals to whom the information pertains. Defines "personal physiological biometric information" as genetic information, finger prints, palm prints, hand geometry, iris scans, retina scans, and eye vein scans. Sets forth the following penalties to apply to such offenses: a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both; if the offense is committed under false pretenses, a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both; and if the offense is committed with intent to sell, transfer, or use individually identifiable health information for commercial advantage, personal gain, or malicious harm, a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Permits a governmental entity to obtain such personal information pursuant to a court order only if, in the court proceeding relevant to such order: (1) such entity offers clear and convincing evidence that the subject of the information is reasonably suspected of engaging in criminal activity and that the information sought would be material evidence in the case, and (2) the subject of the information is afforded the opportunity to appear and contest such entity's claim. Requires the Attorney General (DOJ) to enforce violations of this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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A “Yea” vote

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A “Nay” vote

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

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Biometric Information Privacy Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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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: Rep. Stockman, Steve [R-TX-36] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

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.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113hr4381.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/hr>

Record fed-us-cong113-hr4381 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113