Bill · S. 4977· Senate(119-S-4977)
REDACT Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "REDACT Act," seeks to amend the Epstein Files Transparency Act. It provides a private cause of action for individuals whose personally identifiable information or medical files are exposed during the release of documents. The act aims to protect victims from unwarranted invasions of privacy. It allows aggrieved persons to sue the United States if a federal officer or agency fails to withhold or redact sensitive information. If successful, plaintiffs can seek statutory or compensatory damages.
Yes
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+9
The bill creates legal mechanisms to protect victims from the exposure of personally identifiable or medical information.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+7
The bill provides a private cause of action and a waiver of sovereign immunity to ensure victims have legal recourse for privacy violations.
Would women be better off under this?+5
The bill provides a mechanism for privacy protection that may specifically benefit female victims of personal or medical file exposure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Privacy: The bill targets the failure to withhold or redact personally identifiable information, personal files, or medical files of victims that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(B)).
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Ability to Seek Legal Redress: Any person aggrieved by a violation can bring a civil action against the United States (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)).
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Financial Compensation for Harm: If a person prevails, the court can award statutory damages of $50,000 or the amount of compensatory damages, which includes pain, suffering, and emotional distress (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)(i)).
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Coverage of Legal Expenses: The bill allows for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs of litigation (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)(ii)).
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Prevention of Ongoing Harm: The court may award injunctive or declaratory relief, including preliminary injunctive relief upon motion (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)(iii) and (B)).
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Accountability of Government Officials: The United States expressly waives sovereign immunity for actions brought under this subsection, allowing victims to hold federal officers, employees, or agents accountable (Section 2, subsection (d)(2) and (4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Time Limits on Claims: There are specific limitations on when a person can file a lawsuit, requiring action within 5 years of obtaining actual notice of a violation or 5 years after the date of enactment (Section 2, subsection (d)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+9Improves Due Process+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+5
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.