See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 26, 2011

See Something, Say Something Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to grant immunity from civil liability to persons who, in good faith and based on an objectively reasonable suspicion, report suspicious activity indicating that an individual may be engaging, or preparing to engage, in a violation of law relating to an act of terrorism.

Grants qualified immunity from civil liability to any authorized official who observes, or receives a report of, such activity and takes reasonable action in good faith to respond, consistent with applicable law in the relevant jurisdiction. Provides that an authorized official not entitled to assert the defense of qualified immunity shall nonetheless be immune from civil liability if that official takes reasonable action, in good faith, to respond to the reported activity.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3] · R–NY

Committees

Judiciary Committee

19 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 28, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jan 26, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 26, 2011
Introduced in House
Jan 26, 2011
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 26, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.495 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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Discuss H.R.495, 112th Congress: See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/495

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr495/BILLS-112hr495ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T17:21:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.495 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.495 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.

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Discuss H.R.495, 112th Congress: See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/495

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr495/BILLS-112hr495ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T17:21:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.495 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.495 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.495, 112th Congress: See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/495

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr495/BILLS-112hr495ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T17:21:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.495 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.495 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.495, 112th Congress: See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/495

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr495/BILLS-112hr495ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T17:21:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.495 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.