Title: Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2021
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2021
This bill increases the maximum prison term—from one year to three years—for an individual who falsely claims to be the recipient of certain military awards (e.g., a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart) with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5946 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5946

  To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the penalty for 
fraudulent misrepresentation about the receipt of a military decoration 
                   or medal, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 9, 2021

 Ms. Van Duyne (for herself, Mr. Waltz, Mr. Palazzo, and Mr. McKinley) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
 the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the penalty for 
fraudulent misrepresentation about the receipt of a military decoration 
                   or medal, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 2. FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION ABOUT RECEIPT OF A MILITARY MEDAL 
              OR DECORATION.

    (a) Increased Penalty.--
            (1) Military decorations or medals.--Section 704(b) of 
        title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``one 
        year'' and inserting ``three years''.
            (2) Congressional medal of honor.--Section 704(c)(1) of 
        title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``1 year'' 
        and inserting ``three years''.
            (3) Combat badge.--Section 704(d)(1) of title 18, United 
        States Code, is amended by striking ``1 year'' and inserting 
        ``three years''.
    (b) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study to 
identify any monetary or government benefits obtained through a 
fraudulent misrepresentation about the receipt of a military decoration 
or medal as described by section 704(c)(2) or 704(d) of title 18, 
United States Code.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall report 
to Congress on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (b) 
and policy recommendations to resolve issues identified in the study.
                                 <all>