PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on the National Intelligence Enterprise.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 26, 2023
Defending Our Classified Secrets Act or the DOCS Act
This bill addresses the possession of classified materials by former elected federal officials.
Specifically, the bill requires an individual who formerly held an elected federal office to certify to the National Archives and Records Administration after leaving office that he or she does not possess any classified materials.
The bill establishes a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for an individual who does not submit the required certification or who submits a certification that contains false information.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence must ensure that there is established a mandatory procedure under which any classified material removed from a sensitive compartmented information facility shall be documented and tracked.
People & committees
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on the National Intelligence Enterprise.
Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Accountability, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Accountability, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Accountability, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: May 27, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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