I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5815 
To amend chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code, to prohibit certain 
deceptive practices in relation to a census, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 2, 2021 
Ms. ESHOO (for herself and Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Over-
sight and Reform 
A BILL 
To amend chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code, to 
prohibit certain deceptive practices in relation to a cen-
sus, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Honest Census Com-
munications Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES RELAT-
ING TO CENSUS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 13, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—DECEPTIVE PRACTICES 
‘‘§ 251. Prohibition on deceptive practices 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘census’ means any census under 
this title, including the decennial census of popu-
lation; 
‘‘(2) the term ‘census-related information’ 
means any information regarding— 
‘‘(A) the time, place, or manner of holding 
any census; or 
‘‘(B) the qualifications for, or restrictions 
on, participation in any census; and 
‘‘(3) the term ‘covered communication’ means 
any— 
‘‘(A) written communication; 
‘‘(B) electronic or digital communication, 
including a communication through a website, 
application, online forum, social media plat-
form, streaming service, or other means of com-
munications using the internet or a similar 
communications network; or 
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‘‘(C) telephonic communication, including 
any phone call, text message, or other commu-
nication sent, received, or transmitted using a 
wireless or wireline phone or a cellular or other 
phone network. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any per-
son, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to 
communicate or cause to be communicated any census-re-
lated information by any means, including by means of 
any covered communication, or to produce any census-re-
lated information with the intent that the census-related 
information be communicated— 
‘‘(1) knowing the census-related information to 
be materially false; and 
‘‘(2) with the intent to impede or prevent an-
other person from participating in any census. 
‘‘(c) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—Any individual who vio-
lates subsection (b) shall be fined in the amount equal to 
the maximum penalty provided under subsection (d), im-
prisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. 
‘‘(d) CIVIL PENALTIES.—A civil penalty of not more 
than $11,181 may be assessed against any individual who 
violates subsection (b).’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—DECEPTIVE PRACTICES 
‘‘251. Prohibition on deceptive practices.’’. 
Æ 
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