Bill > HR1923

This bill, titled the Public Officials Accountability Act, amends federal law to criminalize a specific type of fraud by public officials: undisclosed self-dealing. This means that if a public official takes an official action, which includes any act within their official duties or any decision or recommendation on matters before them, to benefit themselves, their spouse or minor child, a business partner, a business where they hold a significant role (like an employee or director), or an entity they are negotiating employment with, and they knowingly hide or fail to disclose relevant financial interests as required by law, they can be prosecuted for fraud. The bill defines "public official" broadly to include anyone acting on behalf of the United States or a state government, and "State" to encompass the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. This new prohibition applies to actions taken on or after the bill becomes law.