The Protection of Classified Information: The Legal Framework

Citation
Jennifer K. Elsea, The Protection of Classified Information: The Legal Framework (CRS Report RS21900) (Dec. 17, 2012) (full-text).

Overview
This report provides an overview of the relationship between executive and legislative authority over national security information, and summarizes the current laws that form the legal framework protecting classified information, including current executive orders and some agency regulations pertaining to the handling of unauthorized disclosures of classified information by government officers and employees.

The report also summarizes criminal laws that pertain specifically to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, as well as civil and administrative penalties.

Finally, the report describes some recent developments in executive branch security policies and relevant legislative activity.