Protect and Serve Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-743
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]
Introduced: 2023-02-02
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Crime victims

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Firearms and explosives

Law enforcement officers

Violent crime
Latest action: action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-02-02
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong></strong><b>Protect and Serve Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce.</p> <p>It imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a prison term, a fine, or both&#8212;on a violator.</p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 743 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 2, 2023 Mr. Rutherford (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer , Ms. Stefanik , Mr. Golden of Maine , Mr. Stauber , and Mr. Ruppersberger ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to punish criminal offenses targeting law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protect and Serve Act of 2023 . 2. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers (a) In general Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 120. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers (a) In general Whoever, in any circumstance described in subsection (b), knowingly assaults a law enforcement officer causing serious bodily injury, or attempts to do so— (1) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and (2) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if— (A) death results from the offense; or (B) the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, or an attempt to kill. (b) Circumstances described For purposes of subsection (a), the circumstances described in this subparagraph are that— (1) the conduct described in subsection (a) occurs during the course of, or as the result of, the travel of the defendant or the victim— (A) across a State line or national border; or (B) using a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce; (2) the defendant uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in connection with the conduct described in subsection (a); (3) in connection with the conduct described in subsection (a), the defendant employs a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device, or other weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce; (4) the conduct described in subsection (a)— (A) interferes with commercial or other economic activity in which the victim is engaged at the time of the conduct; or (B) otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce; or (5) the victim is a Federal law enforcement officer. (c) Certification requirement (1) In general No prosecution of any offense described in this section may be undertaken by the United States, except under the certification in writing of the Attorney General, or a designee, that— (A) the State does not have jurisdiction; (B) the State has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction; (C) the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in protecting the public safety; or (D) a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice. (2) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of Federal officers, or a Federal grand jury, to investigate possible violations of this section. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Law enforcement officer The term law enforcement officer means an employee of a governmental or public agency who is authorized by law— (A) to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, or the investigation of any criminal violation of law; or (B) to engage in or supervise the detention or the incarceration of any person for any criminal violation of law. (2) State The term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 120. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers. .