Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-191. Additional views filed.

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A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. 10/4/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Revised Statutes and federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly deceiving any other person regarding: (1) the time, place, or manner of conducting any federal election; or (2) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election. Makes intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote, or from voting for the candidate of such other person's choice, an essential element of the offense. Prescribes a criminal penalty for such deceptive acts.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

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A bill to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and for other purposes. 9/21/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 - Title I: New Federal Criminal Laws Needed To Fight Violent National, International, Regional, And Local Gangs That Affect Interstate And Foreign Commerce - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibitions against criminal street gangs. Defines "criminal street gang" as a formal or informal group, organization, or association of five or more individuals: (1) each of whom has committed at least one gang crime; and (2) who collectively commit three or more [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. With written report No. 110-70. Additional views filed.

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A bill to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information. 5/23/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Enhancing Punishment For Identity Theft And Other Violations Of Data Privacy and Security - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to add intentionally accessing a computer without authorization to the definition of racketeering activity. (Sec. 102) Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years for intentionally and willfully concealing a security breach involving sensitive personally identifiable information that causes economic damage to one or more persons. Defines "sensitive personally identifiable information"[...]

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Latest Action: 01/07/2008 - Signed by President.

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members, and for other purposes. 1/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec 101) Amends the federal judicial code to require the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements for the U.S. judicial branch.(Sec. 102) Authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to provide for the security of the U.S. Tax Court.(Sec. 103) Authorizes additional amounts in FY2007-FY2011 for: (1) hiring deputy U.S. Marshals to provide security for judicial officers and U.S. attorneys; and (2) the Office of Protective Intelligence to provide secure computer systems.(Sec. 104) Amends the Ethics in Government Act [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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A bill to authorize additional appropriations for supervision of Internet access by sex offenders convicted under Federal law, and for other purposes. 11/14/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007 or the KIDS Act of 2007 - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 to: (1) evaluate and purchase Internet filtering and monitoring programs and devices; (2) train probation officers in the use of such programs and devices and in the supervision of sex offenders; and (3) hire probation officers and other personnel as required to supervise convicted sex offenders effectively.Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include as discretionary conditions for the probation and supervised release of a convicted sex offender restricted access to the Internet and monitoring of computers used by such offender by a probation officer; (2) impose a fine and/or prison term of [...]

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Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to better assure cyber-security, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) prohibit accessing or remotely controlling a protected computer to obtain identification information; (2) revise the definition of "protected computer" to include computers affecting interstate or foreign commerce or communication; (3) expand the definition of racketeering to include computer fraud; (4) redefine the crime of computer-related extortion to include threats to access without authorization (or to exceed authorized access of) a protected computer; (5) impose criminal penalties for conspiracy to commit computer fraud; (6) impose a fine and/or five year prison term for failure to notify the U.S. Secret Service or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of a major security breach (involving a significant risk of identity theft) in a [...]

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Latest Action: 04/02/2008 - Received in the House.

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A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address online pharmacies. 4/1/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit the delivery, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances over the Internet without a valid prescription. Exempts telemedicine practitioners. Defines "valid prescription" as a prescription that is issued for a legitimate purpose by a practitioner who has conducted at least one in-person medical evaluation of the patient. Adds definitions to the Controlled Substances Act relating to online pharmacies and the issuance of prescriptions over the Internet.Imposes registration and reporting requirements on online pharmacies.Requires an online pharmacy to: (1) display on its Internet homepage a statement that it complies with the requirements of this Act; (2) comply [...]

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Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3757-3758)

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A bill to fight criminal gangs. 3/26/2007--Introduced. Fighting Gangs and Empowering Youth Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes programs for combating criminal gangs, including after-school programs, programs for safe and drug-free schools and communities, gang resistance education and training programs, and adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects.Establishes or increases funding for criminal gang-related programs, including: (1) demonstration grants to public and private entities for innovative approaches to combat gang activity; (2) programs that target certain at-risk youth and juvenile offenders ages 11 to 19; (3) state studies of parole or post-incarceration supervision violations and revocations; (4) substance abuse treatment; (5) mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations; (6) transition training for incarcerated youth offenders; (7) gang activity policing grants; (8) grants to prosecutors and law enforcement officials to combat violent [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12087-12089)

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A bill to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--Introduced. Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that: (1) constitutes a crime of violence under federal law or a felony under state, local, or Indian tribal laws; and (2) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim or is a violation of state, local, or tribal hate crime laws. Directs the Attorney General to give priority for such assistance: (1) with respect to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one state; and (2) to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain deceptive practices in Federal elections, and for other purposes. 6/25/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for anyone before or during a federal election to knowingly communicate, or attempt to communicate, false election-related information about that election, with the intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote. Increases from one year to five years' imprisonment the criminal penalty for intimidation of voters. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under this Act.Authorizes any person to report to the Attorney General false election information or intimidation of voters.[...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to check against all available terrorist watchlists those alien smugglers and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. land, air, and sea borders. Revises alien smuggling and related criminal offense and penalty provisions. Provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over such offenses. Limits a defense of necessity for knowingly bringing an illegal alien into the United States from the high seas. Exempts from certain of such violations (transporting or harboring in the United States) a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States (or its agents or officers) that encourages, invites, or enables an alien who is present in the United States to [...]

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Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to make technical corrections to the new border tunnels and passages offense.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.

Latest Action: 10/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13451-13452)

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A bill to fight crime. 10/25/2007--Introduced. Crime Control and Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, and other federal laws to establish and reauthorize programs to prevent and control crime. Reauthorizes and expands the program for community-oriented policing services (COPS program). Authorizes the hiring of an additional 1,000 agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in FY2008-FY2012. Authorizes the hiring of additional Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.Establishes a National Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice to study the role of law enforcement after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for: (1) early Head [...]

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Latest Action: 10/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13194-13195)

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A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve prevention, investigation, and prosecution of cyber-crime, and for other purposes. 10/22/2007--Introduced. Cyber-Crime Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) add criminal penalties for conspiracy to intentionally access a protected computer (i.e., computers serving the federal government or financial institutions); (2) redefine the crime of computer-related extortion to include threats to access without authorization (or to exceed authorized access of) a protected computer; (3) impose criminal penalties for damaging 10 or more protected computers during any one-year period; (4) expand the definition of racketeering to include computer fraud; (5) eliminate the interstate communication requirement for purposes of prosecuting computer fraud offenses; and (6) impose civil forfeiture penalties for unauthorized access to protected computers.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and revise [...]

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Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to enable increased federal prosecution of identity theft crimes and to allow for restitution to victims of identity theft. 11/15/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) authorize criminal restitution orders in identity theft cases to compensate victims for the time spent to remediate the intended or actual harm incurred; (2) expand identity theft and aggravated identity theft crimes to include offenses against organizations (currently, only natural persons are protected); (3) include conspiracy to commit a felony within the definition of "felony violation" for purposes of aggravated identity theft crimes; (4) include making, uttering, or possessing counterfeited securities, mail theft, and tax fraud as predicate offenses for aggravated identity theft; (5) enable prosecution of computer [...]

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Latest Action: 12/10/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-239.

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A bill to help Federal prosecutors and investigators combat public corruption by strengthening and clarifying the law. 12/10/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise and expand prohibitions against bribery, theft of public money, and other public corruption offenses. (Sec. 2) Establishes a six-year limitation period for the prosecution of public corruption crimes involving bribery, extortion, theft of government property, mail fraud, and racketeering. (Sec. 3) Expands mail and wire fraud statutes to cover offenses involving any other thing of value (e.g., intangible rights and licenses). (Sec. 4) Modifies general venue rules for criminal prosecutions to allow prosecutions in any district in which an act in furtherance of an offense is committed.(Sec. 5) Reduces from $5,000 to $1,000 the threshold amount [...]

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Latest Action: 07/23/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to make technical corrections to the new border tunnels and passages offense.

7/23/2007--Introduced.

Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.

Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to make technical corrections to the new border tunnels and passages offense.

7/23/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.

Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8745-8748)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide adequate protection to the rights of crime victims, and for other purposes. 6/29/2007--Introduced. Crime Victims' Rights Rules Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to ensuring that the rights and standing of crime victims are accounted for in the federal criminal justice system.Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow for the involvement of crime victims in the various phases of the criminal justice process, including: (1) the initial court appearance of a defendant; (2) the preliminary hearing; (3) the pretrial conference; (4) transfers of trial venues; and (5) revocations or modifications of probation or supervised release. Sets forth requirements for giving notice to crime victims of criminal proceedings and their right to participate in such proceedings.Requires a court to consider the views of crime victims before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.[...]

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Latest Action: 02/13/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating [...]

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