S. 1819: Defending Our Government’s Electronic Data: Bolstering Responsible Oversight and Safeguards Act

This bill, known as the "Defending Our Government’s Electronic Data: Bolstering Responsible Oversight and Safeguards Act" or the "DOGE BROS Act," aims to increase penalties for various violations of federal laws regarding the unauthorized access and disclosure of sensitive government information.

Increased Penalties

The bill proposes significant increases in financial penalties for specific violations, including:

• Unauthorized Access to Information: The fines for individuals accessing information from U.S. departments or agencies without authorization will rise from a maximum of $5,000 to $30,000.
• Social Security and Health Information: Unauthorized disclosures of information held by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services will see penalties increase from $10,000 to $25,000.
• Taxpayer Information: The fines for unauthorized disclosures of taxpayer information will also increase from $5,000 to $25,000.
• Census Data: The penalties for wrongful disclosure of census data will be raised from $5,000 to $25,000.

Enhancements to Existing Laws

The legislation seeks to amend existing laws to make penalties more stringent. This includes:

• Adjusting existing fines outlined in Section 552a(i) of title 5, United States Code to reflect the new penalty amounts.
• Adding a new provision in Section 1030 of title 18, United States Code that establishes a higher maximum fine for individuals who illegally obtain information from U.S. departments or agencies, setting the fine at up to $750,000 for certain offenses.

Scope of Application

The bill applies to various federal laws concerning the protection of sensitive and personal data, specifically focusing on penalties associated with unauthorized access and disclosure, which are deemed essential for maintaining the integrity of government data.

Implementation and Enforcement

By introducing these increased fines, the bill aims to deter potential violations and enhance the accountability of individuals and organizations that handle sensitive government information. It is intended to reinforce the importance of safeguarding electronic data managed by federal agencies.

Relevant Companies

None found