PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8859-8862)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 20, 2000
Enhancement of Privacy and Public Safety in Cyberspace Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to mandate a fine, imprisonment of up to ten years, or both, if an offense or attempted offense in connection with computers would or could cause: (1) loss to one or more persons during any one year period of at least $5,000; (2) modification or impairment of medical examination, diagnosis, or care; (3) physical injury to any individual; (4) a threat to public health or safety; or (5) damage affecting a computer system used by or for a government entity in furtherance of the administration of justice, national defense, or national security.Includes as a conviction for another offense, with respect to the investigative authority of the U.S. Secret Service, conviction for a crime punishable for more than one year which involves unauthorized access to a computer.Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make punishable under the Federal criminal code the intent to cause the unavailability of a communication device or interactive computer service, to cause damage to a protected computer, or to cause other persons to initiate such activities.Makes it unlawful to intercept or access a wire or electronic communication configured to be readily accessible to the general public. Prohibits using evidence of unauthorized intercepted communications.Provides: (1) increased protections from unlawful access to electronically stored communications; and (2) requirements for governmental access to such information.Revises generally the authority for installing and using pen registers and trap and trade devices.
People & committees
Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D–VT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8859-8862)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8858-8859)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.3083 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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