I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2875
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 15, 2009
Mr. Conaway (for himself, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Rooney, Mr. Miller of Florida, Ms. Granger, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Pence, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Akin, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Platts, Mr. Coffman of Colorado, Ms. Fallin, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Turner, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Latta, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Price of Georgia, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Thornberry, Mr. Carter, Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Buyer, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. Roskam, Mr. McHenry, and Mr. Smith of Nebraska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide that certain photographic records relating to the treatment of any individual engaged, captured, or detained after September 11, 2001, by the Armed Forces of the United States in operations outside the United States shall not be subject to disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act).
Detainee photographic records protection
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of
2009
.
Definitions
In this section:
Covered record
The term covered record means any record—
that is a photograph that—
was taken during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, through January 22, 2009; and
relates to the treatment of individuals engaged, captured, or detained after September 11, 2001, by the Armed Forces of the United States in operations outside of the United States; and
for which a certification by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (c) is in effect.
Photograph
The term photograph encompasses all photographic images, whether originals or copies, including still photographs, negatives, digital images, films, video tapes, and motion pictures.
Certification
In General
For any photograph described under subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary of Defense shall submit a certification to the President, if the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, determines that the disclosure of that photograph would endanger—
citizens of the United States; or
members of the Armed Forces or employees of the United States Government deployed outside the United States.
Certification expiration
A certification submitted under paragraph (1) and a renewal of a certification submitted under paragraph (3) shall expire 3 years after the date on which the certification or renewal, as the case may be, is submitted to the President.
Certification renewal
The Secretary of Defense may submit to the President—
a renewal of a certification in accordance with paragraph (1) at any time; and
more than 1 renewal of a certification.
Notice to Congress
A timely notice of the Secretary's certification shall be submitted to Congress.
Nondisclosure of Detainee records
A covered record shall not be subject to—
disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act); or
disclosure under any proceeding under that section.
Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the voluntary disclosure of a covered record.
Effective date
This section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and apply to any photograph created before, on, or after that date that is a covered record.