Porch Pirates Act of 2025
Summary
The Porch Pirates Act of 2025 aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to extend federal protections to packages left for collection by private or commercial interstate carriers, similar to those already in place for items in interstate or foreign commerce. This bill seeks to address the increasing problem of package theft from residential properties after delivery but before the recipient takes possession. The bill amends section 659 of Title 18 to include specific protections for these packages.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Porch Pirates Act of 2025 would make the theft of packages left for collection by private or commercial interstate carriers a federal crime. This could lead to increased prosecution of package theft and potentially deter such crimes. The Act clarifies Congressional authority to regulate matters related to interstate commerce.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Public Safety: Deters package theft, enhancing the security of personal property.
- Reduced Financial Loss: Protects consumers from financial losses due to stolen goods.
- Clearer Legal Framework: Provides a specific federal law to address package theft, aiding law enforcement.
- Interstate Commerce Protection: Reinforces the federal government's role in regulating and protecting interstate commerce.
- Consumer Confidence: Increases consumer confidence in online shopping and delivery services.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Overreach: Could potentially federalize crimes that are traditionally handled at the state or local level.
- Increased Federal Caseload: May increase the workload of federal courts and law enforcement agencies.
- Enforcement Challenges: Requires effective enforcement mechanisms to be successful.
- Unintended Consequences: Could lead to unintended consequences related to the definition of 'physical possession'.
- Limited Scope: Only addresses theft after delivery by interstate carriers, not other types of theft.
Constitutional Alignment
The Porch Pirates Act of 2025 appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. By extending federal protections to packages handled by interstate carriers, the bill reinforces Congress's authority to regulate activities that affect interstate commerce. The Sense of Congress section explicitly states the intent to act within this authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).