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HR 3146 107th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Civil actions and liability Commerce Consumer complaints Consumer education Consumer protection Damages Deceptive advertising Direct mail advertising Electronic commerce Electronic mail systems Government Operations and Politics Identification devices Injunctions Internet service providers Law Legal fees Liability (Law) Mailing lists Punitive damages

Netizens Protection Act of 2001

Introduced: October 16, 2001 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) 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
Oct 29, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
Oct 16, 2001
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 16, 2001
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Netizens Protection Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person from initiating the transmission of an unsolicited electronic mail (e-mail) message in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce if such message: (1) does not contain the name, physical address, and e-mail address of the sender; (2) does not provide an electronic method for contacting the sender to request that no further messages be sent; or (3) is part of a bulk transmission of such messages and includes information that is false or misleading with respect to the body of the message. Provides a private right of action for violations of such prohibition.

Requires each interactive computer service provider to make available to each of its customers its policy regarding unsolicited e-mail, including options for the customer to elect to receive or not receive such e-mail. Prohibits customers from using the equipment or facilities of the provider to initiate the bulk transmission of an unsolicited e-mail message if the provider's policy prohibits such bulk transmissions. Provides a right of action for providers adversely affected by customer violations of such prohibition.

States that a provider who, in good faith, takes action to restrict or prevent the receipt of unsolicited e-mail by its customers shall not be liable for any harm resulting from the failure to prevent such receipt.

What's happening now October 29, 2001

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3146: Netizens Protection Act of 2001. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-3146/
MLA
"H.R. 3146: Netizens Protection Act of 2001." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-3146/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3146, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-3146/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3146: Netizens Protection Act of 2001](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-3146/)
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