HR 5590
SWAT Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Schools Want Accountability for Threats Act, aims to increase penalties for making threats targeting schools. It amends existing federal law to specifically address threats made against public, private, and religious schools that provide various levels of education. The legislation expands the definition of a ‘school’ to include early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and career and technical education, as determined by state law. It also clarifies penalties for threats communicated through mail or interstate channels.
Key provisions
- Increases the maximum prison sentence for threatening schools to 20 years.
- Expands the definition of a ‘school’ to include early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and career and technical education.
- Addresses threats made against schools via mail and interstate communications.
- Clarifies penalties for disseminating false information about threats to schools.
Who is affected
- Schools (public, private, and religious)
- Students
- Parents
- School administrators
- Individuals making threats
Notable changes
- Adds a specific penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment for threatening schools.
- Broadens the definition of ‘school’ to include a wider range of educational institutions.
- Consolidates penalties for threats communicated through various channels (mail, interstate, etc.).
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5590
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for communicating threats that target schools.
This Act may be cited as the Schools Want Accountability for Threats Act SWAT Act
or the
.
Section 844(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(e)and inserting
(e)(1); and
by adding at the end the following:
Chapter 41 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in section 875 by adding at the end the following:
in section 876 by adding at the end the following:
Section 1038(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subparagraph (B) by striking and
;
in subparagraph (C) by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following: