Skip to main content
S 493 105th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Commerce Computer crimes Computer software Conspiracy Counterfeiting Electronic data interchange Electronic surveillance Equipment and supplies Fines (Penalties) Forfeiture Fraud Identification devices Law Radio Recidivists Science, Technology, Communications Sentences (Criminal procedure) Sentencing guidelines Telecommunication industry

Wireless Telephone Protection Act

Introduced: March 20, 1997 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 31 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 24, 1998
Became Public Law No: 105-172.
Apr 24, 1998
Signed by President.
Apr 17, 1998
Presented to President.
Apr 2, 1998
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Apr 1, 1998
Senate agreed House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3021)
Apr 1, 1998
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed House amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3021)
Feb 27, 1998
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Feb 26, 1998
A similar measure H.R. 2460 was laid on the table without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
On passage Passed without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 2460. Agreed to without objection.
Feb 26, 1998
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2460 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. After passage of the bill, it shall be in order to consider in the House S. 493. It shall be in order to consider a motion to strike all after the enacting clause of the Senate bill and insert in lieu thereof the provisions of H.R. 2460 as passed by the House.
Feb 26, 1998
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 368. (consideration: CR H645)
Feb 26, 1998
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Dec 16, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Nov 12, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 12, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 12, 1997
Received in the House.
Nov 10, 1997
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 10, 1997
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 10, 1997
The substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 10, 1997
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12484-12487)
Sep 18, 1997
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 167.
Sep 18, 1997
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 18, 1997
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 9, 1997
Referred to Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, Government.
Mar 20, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 20, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2655-2656)
Mar 20, 1997
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Wireless Telephone Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to penalize those who use, produce, traffic in, have control or custody of, or possess hardware or software knowing that it has been configured for altering or modifying a telecommunications instrument so that such instrument may be used to obtain unauthorized access to telecommunications services (but permits an officer, employee, or agent of, or a person under contract with, an entity that owns communications transmission facilities, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of those facilities, and holds an operating license issued by the Federal Communications Commission under authority of the Communications Act of 1934, for the purpose of protecting the property or legal rights of that carrier to use, produce, have custody or control of, or possess such hardware or software).

Provides increased penalties for a second or recurrent offense for fraudulent activities involving counterfeit communications access devices. Sets penalties for attempts to engage in such activity.

Defines "scanner receiver" to include a device or apparatus that can be used to intercept an electronic serial number, mobile identification number, or other identifier of any telecommunications service, equipment, or instrument (thus bringing such devices within the scope of code prohibitions against fraud and related activity in connection with access devices).

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and the policy statements of the Commission, if appropriate, to provide an appropriate penalty for offenses involving the cloning of wireless telephones, including offenses involving an attempt or conspiracy to do so, taking into account specified factors.

What's happening now April 24, 1998

Became Public Law No: 105-172.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1