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First Substitute S.B. 107

Senator David P. Hinkins proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
COMMUNICATIONS AND MORTGAGE FRAUD

             2     
PENALTY AMENDMENTS

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

             6     
House Sponsor: Jennifer M. Seelig

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Criminal Code regarding communications fraud.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    modifies the penalties for communications fraud and mortgage fraud by removing
             14      the provision regarding obtaining or attempting to obtain something that does not
             15      have monetary value.
             16      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             17          None
             18      Other Special Clauses:
             19          None
             20      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             21      AMENDS:
             22          76-6-1204, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 370
             23          76-10-1801, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 120
             24     
             25      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:


             26          Section 1. Section 76-6-1204 is amended to read:
             27           76-6-1204. Classification of offense.
             28          (1) Notwithstanding any other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, a person who
             29      violates Section 76-6-1203 is guilty of a:
             30          (a) class A misdemeanor when the value is or exceeds $300 but is less than $1,000;
             31          (b) third degree felony when the value is or exceeds $1,000 but is less than $5,000;
             32          (c) second degree felony when the value is or exceeds $5,000; and
             33          [(d) second degree felony when the object or purpose of the commission of an act of
             34      mortgage fraud is other than the obtaining of something of monetary value; and]
             35          [(e)] (d) second degree felony when the object or purpose of the commission of an act
             36      of mortgage fraud is the obtaining of sensitive personal identifying information, regardless of
             37      the value.
             38          (2) The determination of the degree of any offense under Subsection (1) is measured by
             39      the total value of all property, money, or things obtained or sought to be obtained by a violation
             40      of Section 76-6-1203 , except as provided in Subsections (1)(d) [and (e)].
             41          (3) Each residential or commercial property transaction offense under this part
             42      constitutes a separate violation.
             43          Section 2. Section 76-10-1801 is amended to read:
             44           76-10-1801. Communications fraud -- Elements -- Penalties.
             45          (1) Any person who has devised any scheme or artifice to defraud another or to obtain
             46      from another money, property, or anything of value by means of false or fraudulent pretenses,
             47      representations, promises, or material omissions, and who communicates directly or indirectly
             48      with any person by any means for the purpose of executing or concealing the scheme or artifice
             49      is guilty of:
             50          (a) a class B misdemeanor when the value of the property, money, or thing obtained or
             51      sought to be obtained is less than $300;
             52          (b) a class A misdemeanor when the value of the property, money, or thing obtained or
             53      sought to be obtained is or exceeds $300 but is less than $1,000;
             54          (c) a third degree felony when the value of the property, money, or thing obtained or
             55      sought to be obtained is or exceeds $1,000 but is less than $5,000;
             56          (d) a second degree felony when the value of the property, money, or thing obtained or


             57      sought to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000; and
             58          [(e) a second degree felony when the object of the scheme or artifice to defraud is other
             59      than the obtaining of something of monetary value; and]
             60          [(f)] (e) a second degree felony when the object or purpose of the scheme or artifice to
             61      defraud is the obtaining of sensitive personal identifying information, regardless of the value.
             62          (2) The determination of the degree of any offense under Subsection (1) shall be
             63      measured by the total value of all property, money, or things obtained or sought to be obtained
             64      by the scheme or artifice described in Subsection (1) except as provided in Subsection (1)(e).
             65          (3) Reliance on the part of any person is not a necessary element of the offense
             66      described in Subsection (1).
             67          (4) An intent on the part of the perpetrator of any offense described in Subsection (1) to
             68      permanently deprive any person of property, money, or thing of value is not a necessary
             69      element of the offense.
             70          (5) Each separate communication made for the purpose of executing or concealing a
             71      scheme or artifice described in Subsection (1) is a separate act and offense of communication
             72      fraud.
             73          (6) (a) To communicate as described in Subsection (1) means to:
             74          (i) bestow, convey, make known, recount, or impart; [to]
             75          (ii) give by way of information; [to]
             76          (iii) talk over; or [to]
             77          (iv) transmit information.
             78          (b) Means of communication include [but are not limited to] use of the mail, telephone,
             79      telegraph, radio, television, newspaper, computer, and spoken and written communication.
             80          (7) A person may not be convicted under this section unless the pretenses,
             81      representations, promises, or material omissions made or omitted were made or omitted
             82      intentionally, knowingly, or with a reckless disregard for the truth.
             83          (8) As used in this section, "sensitive personal identifying information" means [any of
             84      the following] information regarding an individual's:
             85          (a) Social Security number;
             86          (b) driver's license number or other government issued identification number;
             87          (c) financial account number or credit or debit card number;


             88          (d) password or personal identification number or other identification required to gain
             89      access to a financial account or a secure website;
             90          (e) automated or electronic signature;
             91          (f) unique biometric data; or
             92          (g) any other information that can be used to gain access to an individual's financial
             93      accounts or to obtain goods or services.


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