Bills · HR 4695
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4695Crime and Law Enforcement
Facial Recognition Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION JUL 23
READING
27MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because facial recognition technology is becoming more common, and how law enforcement uses it has significant implications for privacy and civil liberties. If this bill becomes law, it would create clearer boundaries for police use of this powerful technology, potentially reducing the risk of misidentification, unwarranted surveillance, and overreach. For instance, requiring court orders ensures an independent check on when and how the technology is deployed, similar to other investigative tools. If the bill doesn't become law, law enforcement agencies might continue to use facial recognition with fewer restrictions, potentially leading to inconsistencies across different jurisdictions and less protection for individuals. The regular removal of photos for those not convicted addresses concerns about innocent people remaining in surveillance databases indefinitely. Voters should care because it balances the need for effective law enforcement with the public's right to privacy and protection from intrusive government surveillance.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
State and local governments that don't follow the bill's requirements will lose 15% of their federal grant money from a specific crime control program.
This provides a financial incentive for law enforcement agencies to comply with the new facial recognition rules.
PROVISION 02
Law enforcement officers can only use facial recognition with reference photo databases if they have a specific court order, with some exceptions for emergencies.
This introduces judicial oversight, treating facial recognition searches more like traditional warrant-based searches.
PROVISION 03
Every six months, photos of individuals who are under 18, released without charge, had charges dropped, or were acquitted must be removed from arrest photo databases when those databases are used for facial recognition.
This protects the privacy of individuals not convicted of crimes and prevents their continued surveillance via facial recognition.
PROVISION 04
The head of a law enforcement agency (or their appointed representative) must approve any application for a warrant to use a reference photo database with facial recognition.
This adds an internal layer of accountability and high-level approval within law enforcement before seeking judicial permission.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
46
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 5 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 23
Introduced in House
JUL 23
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4695
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Last actionJul 23, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025
House BillHR 4695Crime and Law Enforcement
Facial Recognition Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 23, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
27 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
