H.R. 1551

119 HR 1551 IH: Protect and Serve Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-02-25
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 1551  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 25, 2025   Mr. Rutherford  (for himself,  Mr. Gottheimer ,  Mr. Stauber ,  Mr. Golden of Maine ,  Mr. Hern of Oklahoma , and  Mr. Fitzgerald ) introduced the following bill; which was 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), willfully causes serious bodily injury to a person because of that person’s status as a law enforcement officer, 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)
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;
(3)
the conduct described in subsection (a) occurs on Federal property or in interference of Federal actors; and
(4)
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 has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction; or
(B)
a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice. To determine whether a prosecution meets this standard, the Attorney General shall consider:
(i)
the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges;
(ii)
the extent of planning and premeditation;
(iii)
the intended outcome of the conduct;
(iv)
disregard for human life, including collateral damage to unintended victims; and
(v)
benefit to public safety from Federal prosecution.
(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 at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
120. Crimes targeting law enforcement officers.
  .