Honest Census Communications Act

Bill: 116-hr-6215
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
Introduced: 2020-03-12
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Census and government statistics

Civil actions and liability

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-03-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Honest Census Communications Act</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits certain deceptive practices in relation to a census.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill prohibits communicating information known to be materially false and with the intent to impede or prevent another person from participating in any census.</p> <p>Such information is any information regarding (1) the time, place, or manner of holding any such census; or (2) the qualifications for, or restrictions on, participation in any such census.</p> <p>The bill sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6215 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 12, 2020 Ms. Eshoo (for herself and Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform A BILL To amend title 13, United States Code, to prohibit certain deceptive practices in relation to a census, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Honest Census Communications Act . 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: IV Deceptive Practices 251. Prohibition on deceptive practices (a) No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall by any means, including by means of written, electronic or digital (including through a website, app, online forum, social media platform, streaming service, or any other means of communications using the internet or a similar communications network), or telephonic communications (including any phone call, text message, or any other communications sent, received, or transmitted using a wireless or wireline phone or a cellular or other phone network), communicate or cause to be communicated information described in subsection (b), or produce information described in such subsection with the intent that such information be communicated, if such person— (1) knows such information to be materially false; and (2) has the intent to impede or prevent another person from participating in any census under this title, including the decennial census of population. (b) Information described in this subsection is any information regarding— (1) the time, place, or manner of holding any such census; or (2) the qualifications for, or restrictions on, participation in any such census. (c) Any individual who violates subsection (a) shall be fined an amount equal to the maximum penalty provided under subsection (d), imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. (d) A civil penalty of not more than $11,181 may be assessed against any individual who violates subsection (a). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: Subchapter IV—Deceptive Practices 251. Prohibition on deceptive practices. .