H.R. 3203

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a penalty for assault against journalists, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · May 5, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Swalwell · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 3203
  • 120. Assault against journalists.

120. Assault against journalists.

• (a) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The terms and have the meanings given those terms in section 1365(h). bodily injury serious bodily injury
    • The term means an individual who— journalist
    • The term means engaging in regular gathering, preparation, collection, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting, or publishing concerning a local, national, or international event or other matter of public interest. newsgathering
• (b) Prohibited conduct
  • Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, intentionally commits, or attempts to commit—
    • an act described in subsection (c) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both; or
    • an act described in subsection (d) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 6 years, or both.
• (c) Bodily injury to a journalist
  • An act described in this subsection is an act—
    • that causes bodily injury to an individual who is a journalist;
    • committed with knowledge or reason to know the individual is a journalist; and
    • committed—
      • while the journalist is taking part in newsgathering; or
      • with the intention of intimidating or impeding newsgathering by the journalist.
• (d) Serious bodily injury to a journalist
  • An act described in this subsection is an act—
    • that causes serious bodily injury to an individual who is a journalist;
    • committed with knowledge or reason to know the individual is a journalist; and
    • committed—
      • while the journalist is taking part in newsgathering; or
      • with the intention of intimidating or impeding newsgathering by the journalist.