Year 2000 Information Disclosure Act
Latest action (30 Jul 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 4355, the Year 2000 Information Disclosure Act, was intended to encourage businesses and government entities to share information about "Year 2000" (Y2K) computer problems—the concern that many computer systems could malfunction when dates rolled over from 1999 to 2000. The bill would have created legal protections for statements about Y2K readiness, generally shielding those who made such statements from liability in civil lawsuits unless a claimant could show the statement was false, misleading, and made knowingly, with intent to deceive, or with gross negligence. Republished statements from third parties would receive protection unless proper disclaimers were omitted. The bill also would have allowed posting Y2K information on a designated website to count as adequate legal notice in some cases, and would have let federal agencies collect Y2K data voluntarily while shielding it from FOIA disclosure and from use in lawsuits.
The bill would have affected companies, manufacturers, service providers, and government agencies disclosing Y2K compliance information, as well as parties who might otherwise sue over inaccurate Y2K statements. It explicitly excluded direct statements to consumers about consumer products, and did not alter existing contract rights, trademark law, or agencies' regulatory disclosure authority. Protections would have applied only to statements made between July 14, 1998, and July 14, 2001.
The bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, by Rep. Dan Burton and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. According to the Congressional Research Service, it did not advance as standalone legislation; instead, its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were subsequently enacted into law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Provisions of this bill were incorporated into other bills which were enacted.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4355 do?
- H.R. 4355, the Year 2000 Information Disclosure Act, was intended to encourage businesses and government entities to share information about "Year 2000" (Y2K) computer problems—the concern that many computer systems could malfunction when dates rolled over from 1999 to 2000. The bill would have created legal protections for statements about Y2K readiness, generally shielding those who made such statements from liability in civil lawsuits unless a claimant could show the statement was false, misleading, and made knowingly, with intent to deceive, or with gross negligence. Republished statements from third parties would receive protection unless proper disclaimers were omitted. The bill also would have allowed posting Y2K information on a designated website to count as adequate legal notice in some cases, and would have let federal agencies collect Y2K data voluntarily while shielding it from FOIA disclosure and from use in lawsuits. The bill would have affected companies, manufacturers, service providers, and government agencies disclosing Y2K compliance information, as well as parties who might otherwise sue over inaccurate Y2K statements. It explicitly excluded direct statements to consumers about consumer products, and did not alter existing contract rights, trademark law, or agencies' regulatory disclosure authority. Protections would have applied only to statements made between July 14, 1998, and July 14, 2001. The bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, by Rep. Dan Burton and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. According to the Congressional Research Service, it did not advance as standalone legislation; instead, its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were subsequently enacted into law.
- Has H.R. 4355 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 1998, H.R. 4355 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4355?
- H.R. 4355 was sponsored by Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN5, 2003-2012] (Republican-IN), with 27 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4355?
- Introduced (30 Jul 1998).
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