Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Jan 1997): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
What this bill does
This bill, the Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997, would change how the government handles money and punishments related to telemarketing fraud. It allows for the seizure of property that is the direct or indirect proceeds of telemarketing fraud. If property is seized, the Attorney General could use it to fund a national information hotline and other efforts to fight telemarketing fraud. The bill also states that restitution for telemarketing fraud victims must be paid before restitution for federal healthcare offenses.
The bill would also affect sentencing for certain fraud crimes. It requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to increase punishments by two levels if a victim is considered vulnerable. Additionally, it would increase punishments by two levels if a defendant commits fraud from a foreign country to avoid prosecution. Presentence reports for fraud convictions would need to include the age of each victim.
Introduced in the House of Representatives in January 1997, the bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and then to its Subcommittee on Crime in January 1997. Its status indicates it is still in the committee referral stage.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for civil and criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of telemarketing fraud. Directs that any property forfeited, or the proceeds of such property, be used to the extent needed, as determined by the Attorney General, for the national information hotline established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and other telemarketing fraud enforcement. Grants the payment of mandatory restitution for telemarketing fraud priority over the payment of restitution in connection with the commission of a Federal health care offense. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase: (1) by two levels the vulnerable victim adjustment; and (2) the offense level for any fraud offense by two levels if the defendant conducted activities to further the fraud from a foreign country in order to impede prosecution for the offense. Requires any presentence report required under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to include information about the age of each victim of each fraud offense for which a defendant is convicted.
Timeline
28 Jan 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 474 do?
- This bill, the Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997, would change how the government handles money and punishments related to telemarketing fraud. It allows for the seizure of property that is the direct or indirect proceeds of telemarketing fraud. If property is seized, the Attorney General could use it to fund a national information hotline and other efforts to fight telemarketing fraud. The bill also states that restitution for telemarketing fraud victims must be paid before restitution for federal healthcare offenses. The bill would also affect sentencing for certain fraud crimes. It requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to increase punishments by two levels if a victim is considered vulnerable. Additionally, it would increase punishments by two levels if a defendant commits fraud from a foreign country to avoid prosecution. Presentence reports for fraud convictions would need to include the age of each victim. Introduced in the House of Representatives in January 1997, the bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and then to its Subcommittee on Crime in January 1997. Its status indicates it is still in the committee referral stage.
- Has H.R. 474 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 474. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 474?
- H.R. 474 was sponsored by Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] (R-VA), with 57 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 474?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime. (28 Jan 1997).
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