summary
Introduced
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
In Committee
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a penalty for assault against journalists, and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill creates new federal criminal protections for journalists by establishing specific penalties for assaulting individuals engaged in newsgathering. The bill defines a "journalist" broadly as someone who works for a news organization or service and actively gathers news with the intent to disseminate information about events of public interest, including those working for newspapers, websites, TV, radio, and other media platforms. Under this legislation, individuals who intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist while they are performing newsgathering activities or with the intention of intimidating or impeding their work could face fines and up to 3 years in prison. If the assault causes serious bodily injury, the potential prison sentence increases to up to 6 years. The law applies to assaults that occur in or affect interstate or foreign commerce, and it requires that the perpetrator know or have reason to know the victim is a journalist. This bill aims to protect journalists' safety and ability to report news by creating specific legal consequences for violent interference with their work.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 05/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3203/all-info |
BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr3203/BILLS-119hr3203ih.pdf |
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