PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E827-828)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 25, 1993
Prescription Drug Records Privacy Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make any retailer of pharmaceutical products or services, physician, or administrator of a health benefit plan who knowingly discloses personally identifiable information contained in a prescription drug record of an individual liable to such individual. Makes exceptions with respect to any such disclosures: (1) to the individual; (2) with the informed, written consent of the individual; (3) to a law enforcement agency (LEA) pursuant to a warrant, a grand jury subpoena, or a court order; (4) to an LEA or health care agency for the purpose of addressing illegal drug diversion or improving prescribing practices; (5) pursuant to a court order in a civil proceeding upon a showing of compelling need for the information that cannot be accommodated by any other means, subject to specified conditions; and (6) to any person involved in the administration and review of health care services provided to the individual. Sets forth provisions regarding safeguards against unauthorized disclosure where court orders are granted. Permits persons aggrieved by any act of an individual in violation of this Act to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for actual and punitive damages, costs, and other preliminary and equitable relief, subject to specified limitations.
People & committees
Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E827-828)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E782)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.1497 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1497 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1497 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1497 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.