As expected, President Clinton signed the Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act-S.335–into law on Dec. 12.
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-ME, in February, is designed to curb the distribution of misleading sweepstakes and their effect on consumers and their families.
“The signing of this bill into law means that consumers will soon see an improvement in sweepstakes mailings,” said Sen. Collins in a statement. “Once this legislation takes affect, mailings will be required to make crystal clear to consumes that no purchase is necessary to enter a sweepstakes and that a purchase will not improve an individual’s chances of winning a prize.”
Collins said most provisions in the legislation will take effect in April, 120 days after it was signed into law.
