This bill creates two new federal crimes in Title 18 of the U.S. Code: one for killing public safety officers and another for assaulting public safety officers. "Public safety officer" is defined to include law enforcement officers, firefighters (including some volunteers), chaplains, rescue squad or ambulance crew members, and various judicial officers and court staff. Federal jurisdiction applies when the offense involves travel across state lines, use of interstate or foreign commerce, use of weapons that traveled in interstate commerce, interference with interstate commerce, or when the victim is a federal law enforcement officer, a U.S. judge, or a federally funded public safety officer. Penalties for killing include a minimum prison term of 10 years up to life; if death results the sentence is 30 years to life or possibly death. Penalties for assault vary by injury: 2–10 years for bodily injury, 5–20 years for substantial bodily injury, at least 10 years for serious bodily injury, at least 20 years if a deadly or dangerous weapon was used, and up to 1 year in lesser cases. The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to add sentencing enhancements of at least 5 offense levels when a defendant lures a victim to a location to kill or to assault the victim.
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The bill's findings say law enforcement officers, first responders, and public safety officials regularly risk their lives and that they and their families make sacrifices. It says these officials are being intentionally targeted and that Congress should act to promote law and order and help officers do their jobs.
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