I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 484 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 26, 2011 Mr. Deutch (for himself and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify the personal privacy exemption in the Freedom of Information Act.

1.

Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Personal Privacy Clarification Act.

2.

Findings and Purpose

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, requires a Federal agency to disclose records or information in its possession that have been compiled for law enforcement purposes. The Act provides exemptions from this mandatory disclosure requirement, including for an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 5 U.S.C. §552(b)(7)(C). (2)In AT&T Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals extended the privacy exemption in section 552(b)(7)(C) to corporations. This decision misinterprets the intent of Congress to limit the privacy exemption to individuals, not to corporations. (b)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to respond to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision by clarifying that the intent of the privacy exemption in section 552(b)(7(C) of the Freedom of Information Act is to provide a privacy exemption for individuals, not for corporations.

3.

Clarification of privacy exemption

Section 552(b)(7)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking personal privacy and inserting the privacy of any individual.