SB 51 — CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards. (8/1/26)

SLS 26RS-200 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.

51 BY SENATOR KLEINPETER CRIME/PUNISHMENT.AN ACT To enact R.S.

Creates the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards.

(8/1/26) AN ACT To enact R.S.

Fraudulent representation of military service or awards A.(1)ApersoncommitsfraudulentA.(1)Aperson representationofcommitsfraudulent militaryserviceorrepresentationofmilitaryserviceor awards when he makes aafalse falserepresentationthathehasrepresentationthat receivedorhe otherwisehas receivedorotherwise holds amilitaryservicerecordorawardthatwaseitherrevokedornotgranted to, achieved by, assigned to, or earned by the person with the intent to injure, defraud, obtain economic gain, advantage, benefit, or secure any privilege for himself or another.

(2)Whoevercommitsthecrimeoffraudulentrepresentationof(2)Whoevercommitsthecrimeoffraudulent representationof military service or awards shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

PageB. 1 of 4 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-200 REENGROSSED SB NO.

51 B.

(7)Page Combat1 Actionof Ribbon,2 CombatCoding: Action Badge, or Combat Action Medal.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

51 ENROLLED (7) Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, or Combat Action Medal.

Whoever commits the crime of fraudulent representationofrepresentation of military serviceorawardsserviceor awards whenthefraudulent representationresults in theissuance of a benefit reserved to active duty service members, veterans, or the family members of active duty service members or veterans shall be fined not more thanthanten tenthousandthousand dollars, imprisoned with orwithout hard laborfornotlabor fornot more than five years, or both.

Page(3) 2"Veteran" means a person who has served in the armed services or reserve forces of 4the Coding:United States or the national guard of any state.

WordsPRESIDENT whichOF areTHE struckSENATE throughSPEAKER areOF deletionsTHE fromHOUSE existingOF law;REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

wordsPage in2 boldfaceof type2 andCoding: underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-200 REENGROSSED SB NO.

51 (3) "Veteran" means a person who has served in the armed services or reserve forces of the United States or the national guard of any state.

The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared bySenate Legislative Services.

The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 51 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Kleinpeter Proposedlawcreatesthecrimeoffraudulentrepresentationofmilitaryserviceorawardsand makes it unlawful for a person to make a false representation that he has received or otherwise holds a military service record or award that was either revoked or not granted, achieved, assigned, or earned with intent to injure, defraud, obtain economic gain, advantage, benefit, or secure anyprivilege for himself or another.

Proposed law provides that a person who commits the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards will be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Proposed law provides that whoever commits the crime of fraudulent representation of militaryserviceorawardswithregardtoanyofthefollowingmilitaryawardsorhonorswill be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than one year, or both:

(1) Congressional Medal of Honor.

(2) Distinguished-service cross.

(3) Navy cross.

(4) Air Force cross.

(5) Silver star.

(6) Purple Heart.

(7) Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, or Combat Action Medal.

(8) A replacement or duplicate of anyof these awards.

Proposed law provides that whoever commits the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards when the fraudulent representation results in the issuance of a benefit reserved to active duty service members, veterans, or the family members of active duty service members or veterans will be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years, or both.

Proposed law further provides that the offender must pay full restitution of the benefit received in violation of proposed law.

Proposed law provides that:

(1) "Award" means any medal, service ribbon, ribbon device, badge, rank insignia, or other honor awarded by the U.S.