HR 5118 114th Congress House

SHIELD Act

Official title: To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to specify certain effects of guidelines, general statements of policy, and similar guidance issued by the Federal Trade Commission.

Introduced: April 28, 2016 See on congress.gov

Commerce Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCompetition and antitrustConsumer affairs

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Evidence and witnessesFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Intergovernmental relationsState and local government operations

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Apr 29, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

Apr 28, 2016

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Apr 28, 2016

Introduced in House

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Latest action April 29, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Solidifying Habitual and Institutional Explanations of Liability and Defenses Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit guidelines or general statements of policy issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from: (1) conferring rights upon any person, state, or locality; or (2) binding the FTC or any person, state, or locality to a recommended approach.

In enforcement actions, the FTC must prove a violation of a law enforced by the FTC. The FTC's enforcement actions or consent orders may not be based solely on allegations that acts or practices are inconsistent with guidelines or general policy statements unless the acts or practices violate FTC-enforced law.

Compliance with guidelines or general statements of policy may be used as evidence of compliance with a law under which the guidelines or statements were issued.

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