# 114-hr-5107: Social Networking Online Protection Act

114-hr-5107, Social Networking Online Protection Act, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY); status Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5107
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-5107
- Congress: 114
- Title: Social Networking Online Protection Act
- Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
- Introduced: 2016-04-28
- Sponsor: ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Social Networking Online Protection Act This bill prohibits employers from: (1) requiring or requesting that employees or applicants for employment provide their passwords or any other means for accessing their private email accounts or personal online accounts, including social networking websites; or (2) discharging, disciplining, discriminating against, denying employment or promotion to, or threatening to take any such action against employees or applicants who refuse to provide such information, file a complaint or institute a proceeding under this bill, or testify in any such proceeding. Employers who violate these prohibitions are subject to: (1) civil penalties; (2) the authority of the Department of Labor to bring injunctive actions; and (3) the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts to provide legal or equitable relief including employment, reinstatement, promotion, and payment of lost wages and benefits. The Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 are amended to prohibit certain institutions of higher education and local educational agencies from requesting such password or account information from students or potential students. The bill prohibits denial of admission, suspension, expulsion, and other discipline or discrimination against students who decline to provide such information, file a complaint, institute a proceeding, or testify in any related proceeding.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2016-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2016-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2016-04-28T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-5207: Freedom of Religion Act of 2016
- 114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus.
- 114-hr-4798: Reuniting Families Act
- 114-hr-4653: Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2016
- 114-hr-4603: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
- 114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-5107 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5107)

## Related
- [114-hr-5207: Freedom of Religion Act of 2016](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5207)
- [114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika viru…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5044)
- [114-hr-4798: Reuniting Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4798)
- [114-hr-4653: Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2016](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4653)
- [114-hr-4603: Hate Crimes Prevention Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4603)
- [114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4592)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5107 (as of 2025-11-18).