Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1997
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (20 Mar 1997): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1997, if enacted, would amend federal criminal law to prohibit certain activities involving personal information about children under age 16. Specifically, it would prevent list brokers from selling such information without parental consent, using prison inmate labor for processing children's data, or distributing information if there's reason to believe it will be used to abuse or harm a child. The bill also allows children or their parents to file civil lawsuits for violations, with courts ordered to award attorney fees to successful plaintiffs. However, exceptions would remain for sales to government agencies, law enforcement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and institutions of higher education.
This bill would affect individuals and businesses involved with collecting and distributing personal information about minors. Parents and children would gain new rights to take legal action against certain data practices. The bill also outlines specific definitions for "child," "parent," "personal information," and "list broker."
As of March 20, 1997, this bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Dianne Feinstein and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It has not moved beyond its initial introduction.
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 1997 - 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. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the sale of lists to: (1) any Federal, State, or local government agency or law enforcement organization; (2) the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; or (3) any institution of higher education.
Timeline
20 Mar 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 504 do?
- The Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1997, if enacted, would amend federal criminal law to prohibit certain activities involving personal information about children under age 16. Specifically, it would prevent list brokers from selling such information without parental consent, using prison inmate labor for processing children's data, or distributing information if there's reason to believe it will be used to abuse or harm a child. The bill also allows children or their parents to file civil lawsuits for violations, with courts ordered to award attorney fees to successful plaintiffs. However, exceptions would remain for sales to government agencies, law enforcement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and institutions of higher education. This bill would affect individuals and businesses involved with collecting and distributing personal information about minors. Parents and children would gain new rights to take legal action against certain data practices. The bill also outlines specific definitions for "child," "parent," "personal information," and "list broker." As of March 20, 1997, this bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Dianne Feinstein and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It has not moved beyond its initial introduction.
- Has S. 504 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 504. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 504?
- S. 504 was sponsored by Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (D-CA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 504?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. (20 Mar 1997).
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