§1979 Release of Security Information

Summary

Only the Capitol Police can share certain sensitive security information about policing, protection, intelligence/counterterrorism, or emergency response for Congress, people they protect, and the Capitol buildings and grounds when that information was gathered by or for the Capitol Police or an incident command. The Capitol Police may release that information only if the Capitol Police Board decides — after talking with other law enforcement, security preparedness experts, and the appropriate congressional committees — that sharing it will not harm safety or security. The Senate and House (including any Member, officer, or committee) can still get information about Capitol Police operations. The Capitol Police Board can make rules to carry this out with approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives. This rule took effect on December 8, 2004, and applies to any remaining part of fiscal year 2004 if the Act was passed before October 1, 2004, and to fiscal year 2005 and each year after.