This bill would change a federal crime that bans falsely saying you received a military decoration or medal. It raises the maximum prison term from 1 year to 3 years for those false claims in several parts of 18 U.S.C. 704, including general military decorations, the Congressional Medal of Honor clause, and combat badge provisions. The bill also requires the Attorney General, working with the Veterans Affairs Inspector General and other relevant agency heads, to start a study within 90 days to identify any monetary or government benefits that people obtained by making these false claims. The Attorney General must report the study findings and policy recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the law taking effect. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
If a person is convicted under the amended sections, the law would allow up to three years in prison for falsely claiming certain military awards instead of up to one year now. The bill orders a short government study and a report that could identify cases where false medal claims led to monetary or other government benefits.
No publicly available information on estimated costs. The bill directs the Attorney General and other agency officials to conduct a study and produce a report, which would use agency time and resources.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.