Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act
Last recorded step: none recorded yet.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would prohibit the Department of Justice from monitoring privileged electronic communications between inmates and their lawyers.
What it does
This bill would prohibit the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of privileged electronic communications between incarcerated individuals and their legal representatives. It proposes to protect the privacy of digital correspondence to ensure legal counsel remains confidential for those in custody.
Who is affected
This bill affects incarcerated individuals and their legal representatives by protecting the privacy of their electronic communications. It also impacts the Department of Justice, which would be prohibited from monitoring the contents of these privileged digital exchanges.
Key provisions
- Prohibition on monitoring legal communications. The bill prevents the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of privileged electronic communications between individuals who are incarcerated and their legal representatives.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
Not applicable: Bill establishes wholly new authority with no reference to prior law
Stated purpose
The bill aims to protect attorney-client privilege by prohibiting the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of electronic communications between incarcerated individuals and their legal representatives.