H.R. 5886 – Illicit Art and Antiquities Trafficking Prevention Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:56 PM UTC

The Illicit Art and Antiquities Trafficking Prevention Act expands the Bank Secrecy Act so that anyone who buys, sells, or otherwise deals in art or antiquities must comply with the same anti‑money‑laundering reporting rules that apply to banks and other financial institutions. The Treasury Department must issue rules to enforce this within about six months, and the new requirements take effect roughly nine months after the law is passed. The bill targets art and antiquities dealers to help curb illegal trafficking and financing of illicit activities.

Key Provisions

Amends the Bank Secrecy Act to add “dealers in art or antiquities” to the list of businesses that must follow its reporting and record‑keeping rules.
Requires the Treasury Secretary to issue regulations implementing this change within 180 days of the law’s enactment.
Sets the new reporting requirement to become effective 270 days after the law is enacted.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 18, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 18, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 18, 2018

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 18, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5886

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 18, 2018

Mr. Messer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL

To apply the Bank Secrecy Act to dealers in art or antiquities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Illicit Art and Antiquities Trafficking Prevention Act.

2.

Application of Bank Secrecy Act to dealers in art or antiquities

(a)

In general

Section 5312(a)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (Y), by striking or at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (Z), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(AA)

dealers in art or antiquities.

.

(b)

Rulemaking

Not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a).

(c)

Effective date

Section 5312(a)(2)(AA) of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect after the end of the 270-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.