H.R. 1770 — Consumer Safety Technology Act

This section directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish, not later than one year after enactment, a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of CPSC's consumer product safety mission (i.e., protecting the public against unreasonable risks of injury from consumer products, assisting consumer safety evaluations, promoting uniform standards, and researching product-related injuries, as described in 15 U.S.C. 2051(b)). Under the pilot program, CPSC must (1) apply artificial intelligence for at least one of the following: tracking consumer product injury trends, identifying product hazards, monitoring retail marketplaces (including internet websites) for recalled products, or identifying products banned from U.S. import; and (2) consult with technologists, artificial intelligence and machine learning experts, cybersecurity specialists, retailers, manufacturers, consumer safety organizations, and others. Not later than one year after the pilot program's conclusion, CPSC must submit to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee—and publish on its website—a report on the program's findings and data, including the extent to which artificial intelligence advanced the safety mission.

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and other appropriate federal agencies, to complete within one year of enactment a study on possible uses of blockchain technology for consumer protection, including preventing or mitigating fraud and other unfair or deceptive acts or practices under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45). In conducting the study, the Secretary must examine (1) existing and emerging uses of blockchain technology that could protect consumers; (2) trends in commercial use of and investment in such technology; (3) best practices for public-private partnerships; (4) potential benefits and risks; (5) possible modifications to federal regulations to encourage its use; and (6) other relevant observations or recommendations, after providing an opportunity for public comment. This section further requires the Secretary to submit a report containing the study results to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and to make the report publicly available on the Department of Commerce website, within six months after study completion.

This section states congressional findings that (1) it is important for the United States to remain a leader in innovation; (2) tokens and blockchain technology drive innovation and provide consumers with increased choice and convenience; (3) their use is likely to increase; (4) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices, including those involving tokens; (5) the FTC has taken enforcement actions against violators involving tokens; and (6) the FTC should train staff and provide resources to bolster enforcement against such acts or practices.

This section directs the Federal Trade Commission to submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on its website, a report not later than one year after enactment of this Act on (1) any actions taken by the Commission relating to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in transactions relating to tokens; (2) any other efforts of the Commission to prevent such acts or practices relating to tokens; and (3) any recommendations for legislation to improve the ability of the Commission and other relevant federal agencies to protect consumers from such acts or practices in the token marketplace.