Stolen Valor Act of 2013 - Misplaced Pages

US federal law that criminalizes falsely claiming military honors to obtain benefits

Stolen Valor Act of 2013
Citations

Long title	An Act To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military decorations or medals.
Enacted by	the 113th United States Congress
Effective	June 3, 2013
Public law	Pub. L. 113–12 (text) (PDF)
Statutes at Large	127 Stat. 448
Codification
Titles amended	18
U.S.C. sections amended	18 U.S.C. § 704: 18 U.S.C. § 704(a) 18 U.S.C. § 704(b) 18 U.S.C. § 704(c)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 704(d)
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as H.R. 258 by Joe Heck (R–NV) on January 15, 2013 Committee consideration by United States House Committee on the Judiciary, United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations Passed the House on May 20, 2013 (390–3 Roll Call Vote 161) Passed the Senate on May 22, 2013 (Unanimous consent) Signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 3, 2013

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–12 (text) (PDF); H.R. 258) is a United States federal law that was passed by the 113th United States Congress. The law amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a person to fraudulently claim having received a valor award specified in the Act, with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that they received the award.

The law is a revised version of a previous statute with roughly the same name that had been struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Alvarez (2012). In that case, the Supreme Court ruled the arrest and prosecution of a citizen for wearing and claiming to have received unearned military awards, who did so without criminal intent, under the 2005 law violates their constitutional right to freedom of speech.

Provisions of the bill

This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Research Service, a public domain source.

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds themself out to be a recipient of:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Action Medal
Or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

Congressional Budget Office report

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Congressional Budget Office.

H.R. 258 makes changes to the current federal offenses relating to fraudulent claims about military service. As a result, the government might be able to pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. CBO expects that H.R. 258 would apply to a relatively small number of additional offenders, however, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Because those prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 258 could be subject to civil and criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Civil and criminal fines are recorded as revenues. Criminal fines are deposited in the Crime Victims Fund and later spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because relatively few cases would likely be affected.

Procedural history

House

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 H.R. 258 was introduced by Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) on January 15, 2013. It was referred to the United States House Committee on the Judiciary and the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations. On May 20, 2013, the House voted to pass the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 by 390–3 in Roll Call Vote 161.

Senate

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 was received in the United States Senate on May 21, 2013. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent on May 22, 2013.

Presidential signature

The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 3, 2013.

Government reactions to Stolen Valor Act legal challenges

Justice Anthony Kennedy's opinion in United States v. Alvarez cited that "a Government-created database" is "at least one less speech-restrictive means by which the Government could likely protect the integrity of the military award system." In his view, "were a database accessible through the Internet, it would be easy to verify and expose false claims." In response, President Obama announced the creation of the DoD valor database, or valor.defense.gov in July 2012, saying "this week, we will launch a new website, a living memorial, so the American people can see who’s been awarded our nation’s highest honors . . . because no American hero should ever have their valor stolen.” This database and the 2013 revision of the Stolen Valor Act were the Obama administration's dual response to the Alvarez case.

Notes/References

"H.R. 258 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
"CBO H.R. 258". Congressional Budget Office. March 19, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
^ "H.R. 258 – All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
"H.R. 258 – Committees". United States Congress. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
"United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. 709 (2012)".
"DOD unveils 'Stolen Valor' database". July 25, 2012.

External links

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

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