S 774 — Protect and Serve Act of 2021

Summary

Protect and Serve Act of 2021 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. It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 16, 2021

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill establishes new federal offenses for crimes targeting law enforcement officers and outlines the penalties for such offenses.

• Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code

  ``Sec. 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 subsection 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.''.

  This addition creates federal penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers under specific circumstances.

• Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code

  ``120. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers.''.

  This clerical amendment updates the table of sections to include the new section on crimes targeting law enforcement officers.

Action History

1. March 16, 2021

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 16, 2021

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Thomas Tillis · Primary

Subjects