HR 287 IH
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 287
To amend title 18, United States Code, to create civil and criminal penalties
for persons or entities which knowingly and maliciously alter computer
hardware or software with the objective of disabling a computer either
through the loss of stored data or interference with its proper functioning.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 1989
Mr. MCMILLEN of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to create civil and criminal penalties
for persons or entities which knowingly and maliciously alter computer
hardware or software with the objective of disabling a computer either
through the loss of stored data or interference with its proper functioning.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `Computer Protection Act of 1989'.
SEC. 2. TITLE 18 AMENDMENT.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 65 of title 18 of the United States Code is amended
  by adding at the end the following:
`Sec. 1368. Willful sabotage of proper operation of computer systems
  `(a) Whoever willfully and knowingly sabotages the proper operation of
  a computer hardware system or the associated software and thereby causes
  the loss of data, impaired computer operation, or tangible loss or harm to
  the owner of the computer, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned
  not more than 15 years, or both.
  `(b) A party harmed by a violation of this section may in a civil action
  seek appropriate compensation for damages caused by that violation and,
  in the discretion of the court, may be reimbursed by the defending party
  for any or all legal expenses incurred in the course of the action.'.
  (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter
  65 of title 18 of the United States Code is amended by adding at the end
  the following:
`1368. Willful sabotage of proper operation of computer systems.'.