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Bill99th CongressFiled Apr 10, 1986Crime and Law Enforcement
S. 2281

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986

Bill journey · stage 3 of 5

Passed at least one chamber

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Oct 1, 1986)

(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to change the scienter requirement from "knowingly" to "intentionally" for certain offenses regarding accessing the computer files of another.

Revises the definition of "financial institution" to which the financial record provisions of computer fraud law apply. Applies such provisions to any financial records (including those of corporations and small businesses), not just those of individuals and certain partnerships.

Modifies existing Federal law regarding accessing Federal computers. Makes the basic offense trespass. Removes criminal liability for exceeding (without the intent to defraud) authorized access to a Federal computer in one's own department or agency.

Creates new Federal criminal offenses of: (1) property theft by computer occurring as part of a scheme to defraud; (2) altering, damaging, or destroying information in, or preventing the authorized use of, a Federal interest computer; and (3) trafficking in computer access passwords.

Eliminates the special conspiracy provisions for computer crimes. (Such conspiracies shall be treated under the general Federal conspiracy statutes.)

Amends penalty provisions to remove the cap on fines for certain computer crimes.

Exempts authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities.

What just happenedOct 1, 1986

Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Trible, Paul S., Jr. [R-VA](R-VA)Sponsor
7 cosponsors2 D5 R
Read on Congress.gov
7cosponsors1committees11actions1amendments2related bills15subjects
  1. Oct 1, 1986Floor

    Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

  2. Oct 1, 1986Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

  3. Oct 1, 1986Floor

    Considered by Senate.

  4. Sep 3, 1986Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 883.

  5. Sep 3, 1986Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond under the authority of the order of Aug 16, 86 with amendments. With written report No. 99-432. Additional views filed.

    Judiciary Committee
  6. Sep 3, 1986Committee14000

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond under the authority of the order of Aug 16, 86 with amendments. With written report No. 99-432. Additional views filed.

    Judiciary Committee
  7. Jun 12, 1986Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  8. Apr 25, 1986Committee

    Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department.

    Judiciary Committee
  9. Apr 16, 1986Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.

    Judiciary Committee
  10. Apr 10, 1986IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Apr 10, 1986IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedOct 1, 198635
(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to change the scienter requirement from "knowingly" to "intentionally" for certain offenses regarding accessing the computer files of another.

Revises the definition of "financial institution" to which the financial record provisions of computer fraud law apply. Applies such provisions to any financial records (including those of corporations and small businesses), not just those of individuals and certain partnerships.

Modifies existing Federal law regarding accessing Federal computers. Makes the basic offense trespass. Removes criminal liability for exceeding (without the intent to defraud) authorized access to a Federal computer in one's own department or agency.

Creates new Federal criminal offenses of: (1) property theft by computer occurring as part of a scheme to defraud; (2) altering, damaging, or destroying information in, or preventing the authorized use of, a Federal interest computer; and (3) trafficking in computer access passwords.

Eliminates the special conspiracy provisions for computer crimes. (Such conspiracies shall be treated under the general Federal conspiracy statutes.)

Amends penalty provisions to remove the cap on fines for certain computer crimes.

Exempts authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Sep 3, 198601
(Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, S. Rept. 99-432)

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to change the scienter requirement from "knowingly" to "intentionally" for certain offenses regarding accessing the computer files of another.

Revises the definition of "financial institution" to which the financial record provisions of computer fraud law apply. Applies such provisions to any financial records (including those of corporations and small businesses), not just those of individuals and certain partnerships.

Modifies existing Federal law regarding accessing Federal computers. Makes the basic offense trespass. Removes criminal liability for exceeding (without the intent to defraud) authorized access to a Federal computer in one's own department or agency.

Creates new Federal criminal offenses of: (1) property theft by computer occurring as part of a scheme to defraud; (2) altering, damaging, or destroying information in, or preventing the authorized use of, a Federal interest computer; and (3) trafficking in computer access passwords.

Eliminates the special conspiracy provisions for computer crimes. (Such conspiracies shall be treated under the general Federal conspiracy statutes.)

Amends penalty provisions to remove the cap on fines for certain computer crimes.

Exempts authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities.

Introduced in SenateApr 10, 198600

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to change the scienter requirement from "knowingly" to "intentionally" for certain offenses regarding accessing the computer files of another.

Revises the definition of "financial institution" to which the financial record provisions of computer fraud law apply. Applies such provisions to any financial records (including those of corporations and small businesses), not just those of individuals and certain partnerships.

Revises the criminal liability of persons who exceed authorized access to Federal computers. (Makes the basic offense trespass. Removes the coverage of authorized accessors who exceed their authorizations, but without "intent to defraud.")

Creates new Federal criminal offenses of: (1) property theft by computer occurring as part of a scheme to defraud; (2) altering information in, or preventing the authorized use of, a Federal interest computer; and (3) trafficking in computer access passwords.

Eliminates the special conspiracy provisions for computer crimes. (Such conspiracies shall be treated under the general Federal conspiracy statutes.)

Amends penalty provisions to remove the cap on fines for certain computer crimes.

Exempts authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities.