Honest Census Communications Act
Bill: H.R.5815 | Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. (D-CA)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
Honest Census Communications Act
This bill prohibits certain deceptive practices in relation to a census.
Specifically, the bill prohibits communicating census-related information, or producing census-related information for communication, knowing the information to be materially false and with the intent to impede or prevent another person from participating in any census.
The bill sets criminal and civil penalties for violations.

To amend chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code, to prohibit certain 
  deceptive practices in relation to a census, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Honest Census Communications Act''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES RELATING TO CENSUS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

                  ``SUBCHAPTER IV--DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

``Sec. 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 population;
            ``(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 platform, 
                streaming service, or other means of communications 
                using the internet or a similar communications network; 
                or
                    ``(C) telephonic communication, including any phone 
                call, text message, or other communication 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 person, whether 
acting under color of law or otherwise, to communicate or cause to be 
communicated any census-related information by any means, including by 
means of any covered communication, or to produce any census-related 
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 another person 
        from participating in any census.
    ``(c) Criminal Penalties.--Any individual who violates subsection 
(b) shall be fined in the amount equal to the maximum penalty provided 
under subsection (d), imprisoned 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).''.
    (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.''.
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