House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Strengthen State and Local Efforts to Fight Cyber Crime

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (H.R. 3490). This bill, authored by Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), officially authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) under the United States Secret Service in order to train state and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges on how to investigate cyber and electronic crimes, conduct computer and mobile device forensic examinations, and respond to network intrusion investigations. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) praised today’s Committee approval of H.R. 3490 in the statements below. Chairman Goodlatte: “The rapid growth of innovation and technology in the 21^st century has improved all of our lives but it also has presented criminals with new ways to commit crimes. As mobile phones, computers, and the Internet are now used by most Americans every day, no one is immune from cyber-crime. “In order to protect Americans from cyber criminals, the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act enables technology experts at the Secret Service to train local law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on how to combat cyber-crime in their own cities and states. I am pleased the House Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly approved this bill today and urge the House to take it up immediately.” Congressman Ratcliffe: “The threats facing state and local law enforcement are ever changing. Cyber criminals use technology to commit crimes of almost any type. Our men and women in law enforcement are working in an extremely challenging environment, and it is imperative that we equip them to address these challenges in an effort to protect the most vulnerable from being exploited. H.R. 3490, the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2015, is a much-needed bill that will help law enforcement fight back against increasingly sophisticated cybercrimes. I’m grateful that it was passed and am hopeful for its consideration on the floor of the U.S. House.”