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HR 4478 100th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Advertising and Marketing Charitable contributions Consumer protection Deceptive advertising Postal Services and Facilities Postal service Public Welfare and Charities Publishers and publishing

Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988

Introduced: April 28, 1988 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 7, 1988
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Aug 8, 1988
Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Aug 8, 1988
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Aug 8, 1988
Called up by House Under Suspension of Rules.
Jul 13, 1988
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. Report No: 100-772 (Part I).
Jun 8, 1988
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Jun 8, 1988
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 4, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Postal Personnel and Modernization.
May 2, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Criminal Justice.
Apr 28, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Apr 28, 1988
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Apr 28, 1988
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988 - Amends Federal law to declare as nonmailable any mail matter which is designed to resemble a bill, invoice, or statement of account due, but which in fact constitutes a solicitation of donations. Requires such mail matter to bear on its face in conspicuous type that it is a solicitation of donations and that the addressee is under no obligation to make any payment.

Declares as nonmailable any mail matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government, or which are substantially the same as such products or services; (2) for the purchase of products or services and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document.

Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.

What's happening now September 7, 1988

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 939 Related bill Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1987
  • HR 1550 Related bill Deceptive Mailings to Senior Citizens Prevention Act of 1987
  • HR 3382 Related bill Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1987
 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Apr 28, 1988
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4478: Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4478/
MLA
"H.R. 4478: Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4478/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4478, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4478/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4478: Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4478/)
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