Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Introduced
Summary
Court authorization for mail covers would be required before a government entity could use mail covers to gather information from the mail. The bill also would create a preservation duty for the Chief Postal Inspector, set 90‑day retention periods with one possible 90‑day extension, and standardize the definition of “mail cover.”
Show full summary
- Law enforcement: Government entities would need a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction and must present specific and articulable facts showing reasonable grounds that mail covers are relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation. State authorities could not get an order if their State law forbids it.
- Postal operations: The Chief Postal Inspector would be required to preserve records and other evidence on request while an agency seeks a court order. Preserved records must be kept for 90 days and can be extended one time for another 90 days on a renewed request.
- Privacy for individuals: The change would add a judicial check and a clear definition of “mail cover,” which narrows when and how mail tracking can be used against people.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Courts must approve government mail checks
If enacted, the government would have to get a court order before using a mail cover. A court would only grant an order if the government shows specific and articulable facts that the mail cover is relevant to a current criminal investigation. A State agency would not be able to get an order when State law forbids it. The Chief Postal Inspector would have to preserve Postal Service records on request while legal process is sought. Preserved records would be kept for 90 days and would be extended once for another 90 days if requested. The bill would also define "mail cover" by reference to existing postal rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2026
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/29/2026
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2026
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/2/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 6/2/2026
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov