Blumenthal, Casey Introduce Hide No Harm Act

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Wednesday, Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania introduced the Hide No Harm Act of 2014, which would criminalize the act of corporate concealment.

Automotive News reports the act would deliver prison terms of up to five years and fines for corporate executives who know about a given product’s defects and their potential to do harm, yet do nothing to warn their consumer base or employees.

Blumenthal noted that the act — meant to serve as a deterrent to future cases should Congress approve the bill — would not apply to the ongoing General Motors debacle, believing current criminal law was the right fit for the case.

The Hide No Harm Act of 2014 is co-sponsored Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, and provides legal protections for executives who do notify regulators and consumers about potential problems.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Lie2me Lie2me on Jul 18, 2014

    GM's going to jail...

  • RogerB34 RogerB34 on Jul 18, 2014

    Absurd law. If a corporation hides factual information to the detriment of others they are liable. Apply that to the public sector and many in Washington would be incarcerated.

  • Hogie roll Hogie roll on Jul 18, 2014

    Engineers aren't paid enough to also have to worry about this sort of shit.

    • See 6 previous
    • Mopar4wd Mopar4wd on Jul 18, 2014

      @Hogie roll I know a few Electrical PE's but most industries don;t require it. I'm not sure anyone at the engineering firm I work for has a PE.

  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Jul 18, 2014

    "Automotive News reports the act would deliver prison terms of up to five years and fines for corporate executives who know about a given product’s defects and their potential to do harm, yet do nothing to warn their consumer base or employees." Two problems: 1. Due to the vague wording, 80%+ of corps in America could be liable. What constitutes harm? What constitutes a defect? 2. A better worded bill needs to include actions undertaken by USG.

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