This bill would add a new federal crime in Title 18 called "Crimes targeting law enforcement officers." It makes knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury a federal offense with penalties up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both. If the assault results in death, includes kidnapping, or includes an attempt to kill, the penalty may be a term of years or life in prison, a fine, or both. The federal crime applies only in certain circumstances, including when the conduct crosses a State line or national border, uses channels or instruments of interstate or foreign commerce, involves a weapon that traveled in interstate or foreign commerce, interferes with or affects interstate commerce, or when the victim is a Federal law enforcement officer. The bill requires a written certification by the Attorney General (or a designee) before the United States may prosecute under this new section, except that federal officers and grand juries may still investigate. The bill also defines "law enforcement officer" and "State" for this section.
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Sponsors introduced the bill to add a federal offense and penalties for assaults that target law enforcement officers and to set the conditions under which the United States may prosecute those offenses. The bill text lists the specific circumstances that allow federal jurisdiction and includes a certification requirement by the Attorney General.
No publicly available information.