Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act
Summary
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act amends the 2018 Act to strengthen the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board. It emphasizes the presumption of immediate disclosure for civil rights cold case records. The Act also allows the Review Board to reimburse state and local governments for expenses related to digitizing and transmitting these records.
Expected Effects
This reauthorization will likely result in greater transparency and access to information regarding civil rights cold cases. It extends the tenure of the Review Board, giving them more time to complete their work. By easing the financial burden on state and local governments, it encourages greater participation in the record collection process.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding civil rights cold cases.
- Greater public access to historical records.
- Financial assistance to state and local governments for record digitization and transmission.
- Extended tenure for the Review Board to complete its mission.
- Strengthened powers of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with reimbursing state and local governments, although this is intended to be offset by increased efficiency and participation.
- Possible privacy concerns related to the disclosure of information in older records, although the Act attempts to balance this with the public interest in historical truth.
- The act does not address the underlying issues that led to the cold cases, focusing instead on record collection and review.
- Potential for increased workload on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to manage the influx of digitized records.
- Risk that the Review Board's work may uncover painful truths and exacerbate existing social tensions.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution by promoting transparency and accountability in government, which supports the principles of a well-informed citizenry. It also indirectly supports the First Amendment by facilitating access to information and promoting freedom of expression regarding historical events. The emphasis on due process and fair treatment under the law, as implied by investigating civil rights cold cases, aligns with the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).