Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (26 Jun 1996): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 would amend federal criminal law (title 18, United States Code) to restrict the sale and disclosure of children's personal information. It would make it a federal crime, punishable by fine, up to one year in prison, or both, for a "list broker" to knowingly sell or purchase a child's personal information—such as name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or physical description—without parental consent, or to condition a sale or service on obtaining such consent. It would also require list brokers and businesses that directly market to children using such information to disclose, upon a parent's request, the source of the information, what has been disclosed, and to whom. Additionally, it would bar using prison or certain registered offender labor to process children's data, and would criminalize knowingly distributing such information if there is reason to believe it will be used to harm a child.
The bill would primarily affect list brokers, marketers, and other businesses that collect, buy, or sell personal data about children under 16, as well as parents and children, who could sue violators for civil damages (at least $1,000) plus attorney's fees.
The bill was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein, with Senator Barbara Boxer, on June 26, 1996, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 104th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit specified activities relating to personal information about a child (defined as a person under age 16), including knowingly: (1) selling such information (by a list broker) without the consent of a parent of that child, knowing that such information pertains to a child; (2) using prison inmate labor for data processing of personal information about children; and (3) distributing or receiving any such information, knowing or having reason to believe that the information will be used to abuse or physically harm the child. Authorizes civil actions by children or their parents with respect to whom a violation of this Act occurs. Directs the court to award a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs.
Timeline
26 Jun 1996
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 1908 do?
- The Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 would amend federal criminal law (title 18, United States Code) to restrict the sale and disclosure of children's personal information. It would make it a federal crime, punishable by fine, up to one year in prison, or both, for a "list broker" to knowingly sell or purchase a child's personal information—such as name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or physical description—without parental consent, or to condition a sale or service on obtaining such consent. It would also require list brokers and businesses that directly market to children using such information to disclose, upon a parent's request, the source of the information, what has been disclosed, and to whom. Additionally, it would bar using prison or certain registered offender labor to process children's data, and would criminalize knowingly distributing such information if there is reason to believe it will be used to harm a child. The bill would primarily affect list brokers, marketers, and other businesses that collect, buy, or sell personal data about children under 16, as well as parents and children, who could sue violators for civil damages (at least $1,000) plus attorney's fees. The bill was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein, with Senator Barbara Boxer, on June 26, 1996, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 104th Congress.
- Has S. 1908 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1908. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1908?
- S. 1908 was sponsored by Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (D-CA), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1908?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. (26 Jun 1996).
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