November 2, 2001

Bush Signs PATRIOT Act

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001 was signed by President Bush on Oct. 26 (P.L. 107-56).

Specifically, the law prohibits the possession of a biological agent, toxin, or delivery system that is not justified by a "prophylactic, protective, bone fide research, or other peaceful purpose." The bill also prohibits access to biological agents, even for research purposes, by persons who are citizens of a country designated by the State Department as sponsoring terrorism, unlawful users of any controlled substance, convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for longer than a year, or determined to be a mental defective.

The law also includes a section that would allow release of student records to appropriate federal officials, to aid in the investigation of terrorist activity, only if approved by a judge. In addition, the officials would have to indicate how the information from the records would be used. The legislation also provides liability protection to institutions that release such records. Similar provisions were enacted related law enforcement's access to business records.

Information: Erica Froyd, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.