Unmasking Antifa Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4003
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2019-07-25
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Crimes against property

Criminal procedure and sentencing
Latest action: action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-07-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Unmasking Antifa Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a new offense and strengthens the penalty for certain existing offenses involving prohibited conduct while wearing a disguise. </p> <p>Specifically, it establishes a new criminal civil rights violation for wearing a disguise while interfering with another person's exercise of a protected right or privilege. A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both.</p> <p>Additionally, the bill establishes an enhanced penalty&#8212;a mandatory two-year prison term&#8212;for a person who wears a disguise during an offense involving the willful and malicious destruction of a building or property. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4003 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 25, 2019 Mr. Burchett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalty enhancements for committing certain offenses while in disguise, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Unmasking Antifa Act of 2019 . 2. Interference with protected rights while in disguise (a) In general Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 249 the following: 250. Interference with protected rights while in disguise (a) In general Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, while in disguise, including while wearing a mask, injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to deter any law enforcement officer from lawfully carrying out the duties of his office; and no law enforcement officer shall be considered to be in violation of this section for lawfully carrying out the duties of his office or lawfully enforcing ordinances and laws of the United States, the District of Columbia, any of the several States, or any political subdivision of a State. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term law enforcement officer means any officer of the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or political subdivision of a State, who is empowered by law to conduct investigations of, or make arrests because of, offenses against the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item related to section 249 the following: 250. Interference with protected rights while in disguise. . 3. Destroying buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction while in disguise Section 1363 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Whoever, during the commission of an offense under this section, wears a disguise, including a mask, shall, in addition to any term of imprisonment otherwise imposed under this section, be imprisoned for 2 years. .