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HR 5834 114th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Business records Computer security and identity theft Computers and information technology Crimes against property Telephone and wireless communication

Cell Phone Theft Prevention Act of 2016

Introduced: July 14, 2016 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 14, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jul 14, 2016
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Cell Phone Theft Prevention Act of 2016

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit commercial mobile or data service providers from providing service on smart phones that: (1) have been reported to such provider as stolen by an authorized user, or (2) are listed as stolen on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). When a smart phone is reported stolen to a service provider, the provider must notify the CEIR with information necessary to identify the phone.

Smart phones must be equipped with: (1) preloaded antitheft functionality at no additional cost to purchasers, or be capable of downloading such functionality at no cost; and (2) a mobile device identification number.

A criminal penalty is established for anyone who violates prohibitions against: (1) removing, obliterating, tampering with, or altering a smart phone's mobile device identification number; (2) using, producing, trafficking in, having control or custody of, or possessing hardware or software, knowing it has been configured to engage in such identification number removal or alteration violations; or (3) selling a smart phone for which the identification number is listed as stolen on the CEIR.

What's happening now July 14, 2016

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1