[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 50 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Page 2615]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act

December 12, 1999

    Today I have signed into law S. 335, which contains the Deceptive 
Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act. Too often, consumers--especially 
the elderly--either understand sweepstakes mailings to mean that they 
have won large prizes or else spend their savings on unwanted 
merchandise and publications in the hope of increasing their chances of 
winning. Too often, mailing and sweepstakes practices seem designed to 
mislead.
    This legislation will protect Americans against those who use 
sweepstakes and mailings to deceive and exploit the unwary. It will 
establish standards for sweepstakes mailings, skill contests, and 
facsimile checks; restrict ``government look-alike'' documents; and 
allow individuals to have their names and addresses removed from 
sweepstakes mailing lists if they choose. Disclosures will make clear 
that no purchase is necessary to enter a sweepstakes and that a purchase 
will not improve a consumer's chances of winning a prize. The 
legislation also creates strong financial penalties for companies that 
do not disclose all terms and conditions of a contest. Individuals will 
be able to request a stop to certain mailings that come to their homes, 
and companies will face liability if they do not honor these requests. 
The United States Postal Service will have enhanced authority to 
investigate and stop deceptive mailings, and companies will face greater 
penalties for failing to comply with a Postal Service ``stop order.''
    I am proud to sign S. 335 into law today to establish a ``right to 
know'' for sweepstakes mailing recipients and protect Americans against 
misleading mailing and sweepstakes practices.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
December 12, 1999.

Note: S. 335, approved December 12, was assigned Public Law No. 106-168. 
This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
December 13.