This bill changes how federal carjacking cases are charged. Right now, prosecutors must prove the person took a car with the intent to cause death or serious injury. The bill would remove that hurdle and require only that the person acted “knowingly” to take the vehicle. The intent to cause death or serious injury would still matter, but only for the highest penalty if someone dies during the carjacking .

In plain terms, it would be easier to bring a federal carjacking case, because prosecutors wouldn’t have to prove the attacker planned to seriously hurt or kill someone—unless a death happens, in which case that intent would still be required for the toughest penalty .

• Who is affected: People involved in carjackings, victims, and federal prosecutors .
• What changes: The mental state for basic carjacking shifts from “intent to cause death or serious bodily harm” to “knowingly,” while the death-resulting enhancement would require intent to cause death or serious harm and that a death occurred .
• When: The text does not state an effective date; it would apply if enacted into law .