I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4341 
To direct the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Congress a report 
on the use, in advertising and other media for the promotion of commer-
cial products, of images that have been altered to materially change 
the physical characteristics of the faces and bodies of the individuals 
depicted. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 27, 2014 
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mrs. CAPPS, and Mr. DEUTCH) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
A BILL 
To direct the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Con-
gress a report on the use, in advertising and other media 
for the promotion of commercial products, of images 
that have been altered to materially change the physical 
characteristics of the faces and bodies of the individuals 
depicted. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Truth in Advertising 
Act of 2014’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:36 Mar 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4341.IH
H4341
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Advertisers regularly alter images used in 
print and electronic media to materially change the 
physical characteristics of models’ faces and bodies, 
often altering the models’ size, proportions, shape, 
and skin color, removing signs of ageing, and mak-
ing other similar changes to models’ appearance. 
(2) An increasing amount of academic evidence 
links exposure to such altered images with emo-
tional, mental, and physical health issues, including 
eating disorders, especially among children and teen-
agers. There is particular concern about the mar-
keting of such images to children and teenagers 
through distribution in teen-oriented publications, 
advertising displayed in public places outside the 
home, and online media. 
(3) Such altered images can create distorted 
and unrealistic expectations and understandings of 
appropriate and healthy weight and body image. 
(4) The dissemination of unrealistic body stand-
ards has been linked to eating disorders among men 
and women of varying age groups, but it has a par-
ticularly destructive health effect on children and 
teenagers. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:36 Mar 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4341.IH
H4341
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(5) Academic evidence has demonstrated a con-
nection between the use of very thin models in ad-
vertising and consumer attitudes toward a brand 
based on such advertising, as well as a material in-
fluence of the use of such models on consumer pur-
chase intent, conduct, and reliance. 
(6) In 2011, the American Medical Association 
adopted a policy encouraging advertising associa-
tions to work with public and private sector organi-
zations concerned with child and adolescent health 
to develop guidelines for advertisements, especially 
those appearing in teen-oriented publications, that 
would discourage the altering of photographs in a 
manner that could promote unrealistic expectations 
of appropriate body image. 
SEC. 3. REPORT BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade 
Commission shall submit to Congress a report that con-
tains— 
(1) a strategy to reduce the use, in advertising 
and other media for the promotion of commercial 
products, of images that have been altered to mate-
rially change the physical characteristics of the faces 
and bodies of the individuals depicted; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:36 Mar 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4341.IH
H4341
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) recommendations for an appropriate, risk- 
based regulatory framework with respect to such 
use. 
(b) INPUT OF EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS AND EX-
PERTS.—In preparing the report required by subsection 
(a), the Federal Trade Commission shall solicit input from 
external stakeholders and experts on the strategy and rec-
ommendations required to be included in such report. The 
Commission, in consultation with the Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Mental Health and the Administrator 
of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad-
ministration, shall ensure that input is obtained from an 
appropriate number of stakeholders and experts and, to 
the extent practicable, from stakeholders and experts that 
are geographically and culturally diverse and that include 
stakeholders and experts from the physical and mental 
health, business, and consumer advocacy communities. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:36 Mar 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4341.IH
H4341
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS