S. 167

119 S167 IS: Protect and Serve Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-01-21
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. 167  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   January 21, 2025   Mr. Tillis  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to punish criminal offenses targeting law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Protect and Serve Act of 2025  .
2.
Crimes targeting law enforcement officers
(a)
In general
 Chapter 7  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
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.
 .
(b)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections for  chapter 7  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
120. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers.
  .