A bill to explicitly make unauthorized access to Department of Education information technology systems and the misuse of identification devices issued by the Department of Education a criminal act.
Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act of 2019
This bill establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized access of certain student loan information and expands the requirements for student loan exit counseling.
Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly use an access device (e.g., account number) that was issued to another person or was fraudulently obtained to access Department of Education (ED) information technology systems for commercial advantage or private financial gain. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
Further, the bill expands loan exit counseling requirements to require an institution of higher education that participates in federal student-aid programs to provide an explanation to borrowers cautioning them about third-party student debt relief companies.
It also requires ED to prevent unauthorized access to the central database for student aid (i.e., the National Student Loan Data System) and warn borrowers of suspicious activity regarding their student loan accounts.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7141-7142)
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7141-7142)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7141-7142)
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7141-7142)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Ms. Stevens moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6880-6883)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1153.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6881)
Enacted as Public Law 116-251
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6881)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 116-251.
Became Public Law No: 116-251.