The federal legislation that supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records management mission includes:
- The Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. Chapters 21, 29, 31, 33), which defines and sets the standards for creating, maintaining, and disposing of federal records.
- The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), which aims to reduce paperwork burdens and ensure efficient record management.
- The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regulations (36 CFR parts 1220, 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228, 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236), providing guidelines for managing records throughout their lifecycle.
- The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 552), ensuring public access to records.
- The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), protecting personal information and allowing individuals access to their records.
- 18 U.S.C. Chapter 101, which deals with the preservation of records and penalties for improper destruction or alteration.
Together, these laws and regulations form the cornerstone of the DHS records management mission to ensure records are managed efficiently, securely, and in compliance with federal standards.
