Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-740
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Introduced: 2007-01-31 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computer software
Conspiracy
Fines (Penalties)
Forfeiture
Fraud
Identification devices
Internet
Money laundering
Science, Technology, Communications
Telephone

Summary:
action_date: 2007-01-31
text: 
Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement (PHONE) Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit using or providing false caller ID information with intent to defraud or with intent to deceive the recipient of a call about the identity of the caller, or &quot;spoofing&quot; (also prohibits attempts or conspiracies). Exempts from such prohibition authorized activities of a U.S. law enforcement or intelligence agency. Provides for criminal forfeiture of any gains from such offense, or equipment, software or other technology used to commit such offense.

action_date: 2007-03-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement (PHONE) Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) using or providing false caller ID information with intent to defraud or using or providing such information without authorization and with intent to deceive the recipient of a phone call about the identity of the caller; or (2) attempts or conspiracies to do so. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to one year for violations and up to five years for violations for commercial gain.

Exempts from the prohibitions of this Act: (1) lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activities of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or U.S. intelligence agency; and (2) activities relating to witness protection.

Provides for forfeiture of property traceable to a violation of this Act or of equipment, software, or other technology used to commit a violation of this Act. 

Includes fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail and caller ID spoofing as predicate activities for money laundering.

action_date: 2007-03-21
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 8, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement (PHONE) Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) using or providing false caller ID information with intent to defraud or using or providing such information without authorization and with intent to deceive the recipient of a phone call about the identity of the caller; or (2) attempts or conspiracies to do so. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to one year for violations and up to five years for violations for commercial gain.

Exempts from the prohibitions of this Act: (1) lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activities of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or U.S. intelligence agency; and (2) activities relating to witness protection.

Provides for forfeiture of property traceable to a violation of this Act or of equipment, software, or other technology used to commit a violation of this Act. 

Includes fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail and caller ID spoofing as predicate activities for money laundering.

action_date: 2007-05-24
text: 
Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement Act of 2007 or the PHONE Act of 2007- Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) using or providing false caller ID information with the intent to wrongfully obtain anything of value (imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years) or using or providing such information without authorization and with intent to deceive any person or other entity about the identity of the caller (imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to one year); or (2) attempting or conspiring to do so. 

Exempts from the prohibitions of this Act: (1) lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activities of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or U.S. intelligence agency; or (2) activities relating to witness protection.

Provides for forfeiture of property traceable to a violation of this Act or of equipment, software, or other technology used to commit a violation of this Act. 

Includes fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail and caller ID spoofing as predicate activities for money laundering.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 173.
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-03-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 178). (text: CR H2790)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 178).(text: CR H2790)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2796-2797)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 740.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2790-2793)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Ms. Sanchez, Linda T. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2007-03-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 13.
action_date: 2007-03-08
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-37.
action_date: 2007-03-08
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-37.
action_date: 2007-02-07
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-02-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-02-06
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-02-06
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-02-06
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-02-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2007-01-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-01-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-01-31
text: Introduced in House