PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to provide for the Attorney General of the United States to develop guidelines for Federal prosecutors to protect familial privacy and communications between parents and their children in matters that do not involve allegations of violent or drug trafficking conduct and the Judicial Conference of the United States to make recommendations regarding the advisability of amending the Federal Rules of Evidence for such purpose.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 6, 1998

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) evaluate the manner in which the States have taken measures to protect the confidentiality of communications between children and parents and whether such measures have been taken in matters that do not involve allegations of violent or drug trafficking conduct; (2) develop guidelines for Federal prosecutors that will provide the maximum protection possible for the confidentiality of communications between children and parents in matters that do not involve such allegations, within any applicable constitutional limits and without compromising public safety or the integrity of the judicial system; (3) disseminate such guidelines and findings to Federal prosecutors; and (4) report to the Congress on such findings and guidelines and recommendations based on the findings on the need for and appropriateness of further action by the Federal Government. Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to complete a review and report to the Congress on: (1) whether the Federal Rules of Evidence should be amended to guarantee that the confidentiality of communications by a child to his or her parent in matters that do not involve allegations of violent or drug trafficking conduct will be adequately protected in Federal court proceedings; and (2) if so, a proposal for amendments that provide the maximum protection possible within constitutional limits and without compromising public safety or the integrity of the judicial system.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D–VT

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1508-1509)

    3. Introduced in Senate

    Bill text & related measures

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

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

    Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    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.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze S.1721 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine S.1721 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine S.1721 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine S.1721 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