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Title 2 — The CongressRelease 119-73

§5542 Regulations for safe handling of mail matter

Title 2 › Chapter CHAPTER 55— - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER › § 5542

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Chief Administrative Officer must create rules, with approval from the Committee on House Administration, that let the Officer handle any mail delivered to the House or to any group that has an agreement with the Officer to receive mail. The rules are for protecting people who might touch or be exposed to the mail. No actions taken under those rules can be used to sue or criminally charge any person or group. "Handle" means actions like collecting, isolating, testing, opening, disposing, and destroying mail. The rules apply starting in fiscal year 2004 and every fiscal year after.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §5542

The Congress — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Subject to the approval of the Committee on House Administration, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall implement regulations under which the Chief Administrative Officer shall be authorized to handle any mail matter delivered by the United States Postal Service or any other carrier to the House of Representatives, or to any other entity with whom the Chief Administrative Officer has entered into an agreement to receive mail matter delivered to the entity, in such manner as the Chief Administrative Officer deems necessary to ensure the safety of any individuals who may come into contact with, or otherwise be exposed to, such mail matter.
(b)No action taken under the regulations implemented pursuant to this section may serve as a basis for civil or criminal liability of any individual or entity.
(c)As used in this section, the term “handle” includes but is not limited to collecting, isolating, testing, opening, disposing, and destroying.
(d)This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2004 and each succeeding fiscal year.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 117j–1 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005, which is div. G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 5542

Title 2 — The Congress

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73