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Journalist Protection: New Penalties for Assault During Work.

This act introduces new penalties for assaulting journalists who are gathering information or reporting on events. Its aim is to enhance the safety of individuals in this profession and ensure the free flow of information to the public. Citizens can expect journalists to be able to perform their work more safely, potentially leading to better quality and accessibility of news.
Key points
Establishes a new offense of assault against a journalist, with penalties up to 3 years for bodily injury and up to 6 years for serious bodily injury.
Defines a journalist as an individual who gathers and disseminates news or information through various media.
Penalties apply when the assault occurs during newsgathering or is intended to intimidate the journalist.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_2528
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Process start date: 2021-07-29
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Journalist Protection Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_2528.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-29.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Establishes a new offense of assault against a journalist, with penalties up to 3 years for bodily injury and up to 6 years for serious bodily injury.
  • Defines a journalist as an individual who gathers and disseminates news or information through various media.
  • Penalties apply when the assault occurs during newsgathering or is intended to intimidate the journalist.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Media and Culture Security