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HR 3051 104th Congress House

Biological Weapons Enhanced Penalties Act of 1996

Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to further restrict certain activities relating to biological weapons, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 7, 1996 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Armed Forces and National SecurityBioengineeringBiological weaponsBiotechnology
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Environmental ProtectionFines (Penalties)HealthInternational AffairsMass destruction weaponsPoisonsRecombinant DNAScience, Technology, CommunicationsTerrorism
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 28, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Mar 7, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 7, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 28, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Biological Weapons Enhanced Penalties Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include within the scope of prohibitions relating to biological weapons: (1) attempts to acquire biological agents, toxins, recombinant molecules, or delivery systems under false pretenses; and (2) specified actions with respect to recombinant molecules.

Includes within the definition of: (1) "biological agent" certain naturally occurring or bioengineered components of a microorganism, virus, or infectious substance; (2) "toxin" the toxic material of plants, animals, microorganisms, viruses, fungi, or infectious substances; (3) "vector" a molecule, including a recombinant molecule, capable of carrying a biological agent or toxin to a host; and (4) "weapon of mass destruction" any weapon involving a biological agent or toxin.

Includes, within the scope of provisions prohibiting and setting penalties for use of weapons of mass destruction, threatening to use such weapons.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Mar 7, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3051: Biological Weapons Enhanced Penalties Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3051/
MLA
"H.R. 3051: Biological Weapons Enhanced Penalties Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3051/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3051, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3051/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3051: Biological Weapons Enhanced Penalties Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3051/)
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