PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 112-258. Additional views filed.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Nov 29, 2012
Title I: Video Privacy Protection - Video Privacy Protection Act Amendments Act of 2012 - (Sec. 102) Amends provisions of the federal criminal code authorizing a video tape service provider to disclose personally identifiable information concerning any consumer to any person with the informed, written consent of the consumer to: (1) allow such consent to be provided through an electronic means using the Internet; (2) require such consent be in a form distinct and separate from any form setting forth other legal or financial obligations of the consumer; (3) allow such consent to be given in advance for a set period of time, not to exceed two years or until consent is withdrawn by the consumer, which ever is sooner; and (4) require the video tape service provider to provide an opportunity for the consumer to withdraw such consent on a case-by-case basis or to withdraw for ongoing disclosures, at the consumer's election.
Title II: Electronic Communications Privacy - Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act of 2012 - (Sec. 202) Amends the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 to prohibit a provider of remote computing service or electronic communication service to the public from knowingly divulging to any governmental entity the contents of any communication that is in electronic storage or otherwise maintained by the provider.
(Sec. 203) Revises provisions under which the government may require, pursuant to a warrant, the disclosure by such a provider of the contents of such communications. Eliminates the different requirements applicable under current law depending on whether such communications were stored for fewer than, or more than, 180 days.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires a law enforcement agency, within 10 days after receiving the contents of a customer's communication, or a governmental entity, within 3 days, to provide the customer a copy of the warrant and a notice that such information was requested by, and supplied to, the government entity.
(Sec. 204) Authorizes a governmental entity that is seeking a warrant for the contents of communications to include in the application a request for an order delaying the notification required for up to 180 days, in the case of a law enforcement agency, or up to 90 days, in the case of any other governmental entity. Authorizes a court to grant one or more of such extensions on the basis of determinations required under existing law.
Allows a governmental entity that is obtaining the contents of a communication, or information or records, to apply to a court for an order directing a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service to which a warrant, order, subpoena, or other directive is directed not to notify any other person of the existence of the directive for up to 180 days, in the case of of a law enforcement agency, or up to 90 days, in the case of any other governmental entity. Provides for further extensions.
Requires service providers, after such extension, to provide the government three business days' notice of their intent to inform a customer or subscriber that the provider has disclosed the individual's electronic communications information to the government.
People & committees
Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · R–VA
Legislative record
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By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 112-258. Additional views filed.
By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 112-258. Additional views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 556.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Committee on the Judiciary Senate Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-869.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 303 - 116 (Roll no. 891). (text: CR H8161)
House roll call 891 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 303 - 116 (Roll no. 891).(text: CR H8161)
House roll call 891 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8169)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2471.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8161-8165)
Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 211.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-312.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-312.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1276-1277)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2471 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.
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