
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC2000aa-11]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                     CHAPTER 21A--PRIVACY PROTECTION
 
               SUBCHAPTER II--ATTORNEY GENERAL GUIDELINES
 
Sec. 2000aa-11. Guidelines for Federal officers and employees


(a) Procedures to obtain documentary evidence; protection of certain 
        privacy interests

    The Attorney General shall, within six months of October 13, 1980, 
issue guidelines for the procedures to be employed by any Federal 
officer or employee, in connection with the investigation or prosecution 
of an offense, to obtain documentary materials in the private possession 
of a person when the person is not reasonably believed to be a suspect 
in such offense or related by blood or marriage to such a suspect, and 
when the materials sought are not contraband or the fruits or 
instrumentalities of an offense. The Attorney General shall incorporate 
in such guidelines--
        (1) a recognition of the personal privacy interests of the 
    person in possession of such documentary materials;
        (2) a requirement that the least intrusive method or means of 
    obtaining such materials be used which do not substantially 
    jeopardize the availability or usefulness of the materials sought to 
    be obtained;
        (3) a recognition of special concern for privacy interests in 
    cases in which a search or seizure for such documents would intrude 
    upon a known confidential relationship such as that which may exist 
    between clergyman and parishioner; lawyer and client; or doctor and 
    patient; and
        (4) a requirement that an application for a warrant to conduct a 
    search governed by this subchapter be approved by an attorney for 
    the government, except that in an emergency situation the 
    application may be approved by another appropriate supervisory 
    official if within 24 hours of such emergency the appropriate United 
    States Attorney is notified.

(b) Use of search warrants; reports to Congress

    The Attorney General shall collect and compile information on, and 
report annually to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives on the use of search warrants by Federal 
officers and employees for documentary materials described in subsection 
(a)(3) of this section.

(Pub. L. 96-440, title II, Sec. 201, Oct. 13, 1980, 94 Stat. 1882.)
