Presidential Directives

This page provides text of Presidential Directives that have a direct or indirect biometric component.

NSPD-59/HSPD-24 National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD)-59 / Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) – 24, “Biometrics for Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security,” was signed by President Bush on June 5, 2008. This directive establishes a framework to ensure Federal departments and agencies use compatible methods and procedures in the collection, storage, use, analysis, and sharing of biometric and associated biographic and contextual information of individuals in a lawful and appropriate manner, while respecting privacy and other legal rights under United States law. This directive builds upon existing coordination efforts and helps to ensure that high-level plans are implemented throughout government. This directive does not impose requirements on State, local, or tribal authorities, or on the private sector. It also does not provide new Federal authority for collection, retention, or dissemination of information, or for identification and screening activities.
HSPD-12 Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 specifies a policy for a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors. The standard calls for interoperable fingerprint minutia to be used for interagency biometric verification; agencies may also use other biometrics for own-employee verification. Technical information may be found at http://piv.nist.gov.
HSPD 11 Comprehensive Terrorist-Related Screening Procedures
HSPD 6 Integration and Use of Screen Information