SCAM Act

Bill: 116-hr-7055
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
Introduced: 2020-05-28
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Consumer affairs

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Health promotion and preventive care

Health technology, devices, supplies

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Intellectual property
Latest action: action_date: 2020-05-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-05-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Coronavirus Scammers, Crooks, and Manipulators Act or the SCAM Act</b></p> <p>This bill increases the maximum criminal penalties for mail fraud and wire fraud that occur in connection with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency.</p> <p>Additionally, the bill increases the maximum criminal penalties for trafficking in a counterfeit good that is advertised to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7055 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 28, 2020 Mr. Meuser (for himself and Mr. Suozzi ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To provide for an increased fine and term of imprisonment for fraud in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Coronavirus Scammers, Crooks, and Manipulators Act or the SCAM Act . 2. Mail fraud and other fraud offenses (a) Frauds and swindles Section 1341 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 30 years, or both. the following: If the violation occurs in relation to, or involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with the emergency declared on March 13, 2020, by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act relating to Coronavirus Disease 2019, such person shall be fined not more than $1,500,000 or imprisoned not more than 45 years, or both. . (b) Fraud by wire, radio, or television Section 1343 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 30 years, or both. the following: If the violation occurs in relation to, or involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with the emergency declared on March 13, 2020, by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act relating to Coronavirus Disease 2019, such person shall be fined not more than $1,500,000 or imprisoned not more than 45 years, or both. . 3. Counterfeit goods and services Section 2320(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) COVID- 19 Any person who commits an offense under subsection (a) involving a counterfeit good, which is advertised by the person as having the ability to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19, shall, in the case of an individual, be fined not more than $2,500,000, or imprisoned not more than 45 years, or both, or in the case of a person other than an individual, be fined $5,500,000. .