This is an official notice of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services representing the investigative and security professions for 38 years

 

Capitol
NCISS 
Legislative Alert
July 26, 2013
 

 

Cybersecurity Bill Introduced 

 

Cybersecurity Bill Introduced

 

As public officials await their summer vacations, two recent developments could foretell action on issues impacting security and investigative professionals.  Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced  S 1353, the "Cybersecurity Act of 2013" and several state attorneys general have blasted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for its actions to discourage the use of criminal background checks.

 

Congress is scheduled to begin a month long "district work period," at the end of next week.  But in advance of that recess Senator Rockefeller introduced legislation designed to help prevent cyber attacks.  Senator Rockefeller, who chairs the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, was able to get Senator John Thune (R-SD) to cosponsor the measure, so it may obtain bipartisan support.  S 1353 does not include any provisions that directly affect private investigators.  However, several times in the recent past he indicated that similar legislation could be amended to include privacy provisions.  Last Congress the Committee had a bill before it that included restrictions on the use of pretexting.  NCISS will be carefully monitoring S 1353 and will oppose any such amendment.

 

In a positive development,  the EEOC has been criticized by nine state attorneys general for issuing employer guidance to severely restrict the use of criminal background checks.  The joint letter also blasted the EEOC for filing two lawsuits against companies that had a policy of denying employment to individuals who had been convicted of specific crimes.  The letter opposed the action of the EEOC and accused the Commission of attempting to create a new "protected class" of criminals in the civil rights law.

 

It is uncertain if the letter will have any effect on the EEOC.  All nine AG's are Republican and the EEOC has a majority of Democrats.  Nevertheless, this is a very positive development.  NCISS continues to participate with an ad hoc coalition to oppose the restrictions on the use of background checks.


 

 Larry Sabbath  Larry Sabbath

NCISS Legislative Advocate 

7501 Sparrows Point Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21219-1927

T-(800) 445-8408  F-(410) 388-9746

www.nciss.org

  

 (Permission granted to repost this message)

 

Want to add your voice to the efforts to address restrictive legislation and protect your profession? 
Go to www,nciss,org for membership information. Check out other links on the web site as well. 

NCISS: Your Voice In the Nation's Capital for 38 years!

NCISS Logo