Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

18 U.S.C. § 156

Knowing disregard of bankruptcy law or rule

(a)

Definitions .—

In this section—
(1)
the term “bankruptcy petition preparer” means a person, other than the debtor’s attorney or an employee of such an attorney, who prepares for compensation a document for filing; and
(2)
the term “document for filing” means a petition or any other document prepared for filing by a debtor in a United States bankruptcy court or a United States district court in connection with a case under title 11.
(b)

Offense .—

If a bankruptcy case or related proceeding is dismissed because of a knowing attempt by a bankruptcy petition preparer in any manner to disregard the requirements of title 11, United States Code, or the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

Pub. L. 103–394, title III, § 312(a)(1)(B)108 Stat. 4140Pub. L. 109–8, title XII, § 1220119 Stat. 195(Added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, referred to in subsec. (b), are set out in the Appendix to Title 11, Bankruptcy.

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–82005—Subsec. (a). , in first par., inserted “(1) the term” before “ ‘bankruptcy petition preparer’ ” and substituted “; and” for period at end and, in second par., inserted “(2) the term” before “ ‘document for filing’ ” and substituted “title 11” for “this title”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–8section 1501 of Pub. L. 109–8section 101 of Title 11Amendment by effective 180 days after , and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under Title 11, Bankruptcy, before such effective date, except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

section 702 of Pub. L. 103–394section 101 of Title 11Section effective , and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under Title 11, Bankruptcy, before , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under .