Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act

This legislation, titled the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act, aims to enhance the authority and operational duration of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board. It establishes a congressional sense that all federal, state, and local civil rights cold case records should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure to inform the public. Key provisions include authorizing the Review Board to reimburse state and local governments for expenses incurred in digitizing, photocopying, or mailing records for inclusion in the collection. The bill also removes a previous exception for state and local governments regarding record transmission requirements. Furthermore, it significantly strengthens disclosure by stipulating that the Freedom of Information Act's personal privacy exemption (552(b)(6)) will not apply to civil rights cold case records created on or before January 1, 1990 . Finally, the bill extends the operational tenure of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board from 7 years to 11 years, allowing more time for its work.