I
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4935
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 5, 2018
Mr. Swalwell of California (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cicilline, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Norton, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Soto, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Rush, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, and Ms. Moore) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a penalty for assault against journalists, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Journalist Protection Act
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Assault against journalists
In general
Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Assault against journalists
In general
Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, intentionally commits, or attempts to commit—
an act described in subsection (b) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both; or
an act described in subsection (c) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 6 years, or both.
Bodily injury to a journalist
An act described in this subsection is an act that causes a bodily injury to an individual—
who is a journalist;
committed with knowledge or reason to know such individual is a journalist; and
committed—
while such journalist is taking part in newsgathering; or
with the intention of intimidating or impeding newsgathering by such journalist.
Serious bodily injury to a journalist
An act described in this subsection is an act that causes a serious bodily injury to an individual—
who is a journalist;
committed with knowledge or reason to know such individual is a journalist; and
committed—
while such journalist is taking part in newsgathering; or
with the intention of intimidating or impeding newsgathering by such journalist.
Definitions
For purposes of this section:
Bodily injury
The term bodily injury
has the meaning given such term in section 1365(h)(4) of this title.
Journalist
The term journalist
means an individual who—
is an employee, independent contractor, or agent of an entity or service that disseminates news or information—
by means of a newspaper, nonfiction book, wire service, news agency, news website, mobile application or other news or information service (whether distributed digitally or otherwise), news program, magazine, or other periodical (whether in print, electronic, or other format); or
through television broadcast, radio broadcast, multichannel video programming distributor (as such term is defined in section 602(13) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522(13))), or motion picture for public showing; and
with the primary intent to investigate events or procure material in order to disseminate to the public news or information concerning local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest, engages in newsgathering.
Newsgathering
The term newsgathering
means engaging in the regular gathering, preparation, collection, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting, or publishing concerning local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest.
Serious bodily injury
The term serious bodily injury
has the meaning given such term in section 1365(h)(3) of this title.
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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. Assault against journalists.
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