[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF TWO CORPORATE CRIME BILLS

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2015

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing two bills to help 
hold accountable corporations who market dangerous products and who 
violate the law. We rely on corporations to provide necessary goods and 
services to consumers and to provide jobs for our citizens. 
Unfortunately, sometimes corporations engage in acts that may harm us 
or that otherwise run afoul of the law. That is why I am introducing 
these measures.
  The Dangerous Products Warning Act concerns businesses who learn that 
products they are marketing are dangerous but who do not inform the 
appropriate federal agency or warn the public.
  It amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison 
term of up to 5 years on any business entity or product supervisor with 
respect to a product or business practice who knows of a serious danger 
associated with such product or business practice and knowingly fails 
within 15 days after discovering such danger to inform an appropriate 
federal agency in writing, warn affected employees in writing, and 
inform other affected individuals. The bill imposes a fine and/or 
prison term of up to 1 year on any individual who intentionally 
discriminates against an employee who informs a federal agency or warns 
employees of a serious danger associated with a product or business 
practice.
  The Corporate Crime Database Act deals with the concern that the 
public has inadequate means of learning about the degree to which 
companies are engaging in acts in violation of the law, and sets up a 
mechanism to track such violations and make the information available 
to the public.
  The bill directs the Attorney General to: (1) acquire data, for each 
calendar year, regarding all administrative, civil, and criminal 
judicial proceedings against any corporation or corporate official 
involving a felony or misdemeanor or civil charge where potential fines 
may be $1,000 or more; (2) establish and maintain a publicly available 
website on improper conduct by all corporations with annual revenues of 
more than $1 billion; and (3) prepare an annual report to Congress 
detailing the number of civil, administrative, and criminal enforcement 
actions brought against any corporation or corporate official and the 
final dispositions of such actions.
  With the enactment of these two bills, we would take important steps 
toward protecting our citizens from harm and empowering them to know 
which corporations are violating our laws.

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