Bill Summary
This proposed bill, called the "Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2023," aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code in order to add a new tool to prevent fraudulent schemes targeting veterans and their benefits. The bill would create a new section, 1352, which would make it a crime to knowingly defraud a veteran of their benefits or use deceit to obtain benefits on their behalf. The punishment for this offense would be a fine, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. The bill defines key terms, such as "veteran" and "veterans' benefits," and would be added to the existing chapter 63 of title 18.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially protect veterans from being defrauded of their benefits by imposing fines and prison time on those who attempt to do so. This could benefit veterans by ensuring that they receive the benefits they are entitled to and prevent financial harm.
2. The legislation could also impact individuals who may have been involved in fraudulent activities related to veterans' benefits in the past. They could face consequences such as fines and imprisonment if caught and convicted under this new law.
3. The addition of this new law could also result in changes to the way veterans' benefits are administered and monitored, potentially affecting the processes and procedures that veterans and their families need to go through to receive their benefits. This could potentially result in a more streamlined and efficient system for veterans, making it easier for them to access their benefits.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1179 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1179
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to
prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 2023
Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Ms. Scanlon) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to
prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Crimes Against Veterans
Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL TOOL TO PREVENT CERTAIN FRAUDS AGAINST VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1352. Fraud regarding veterans' benefits
``(a) Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any
scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or
in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for that individual,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years,
or both.
``(b) In this section--
``(1) the term `veteran' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38; and
``(2) the term `veterans' benefits' means any benefit
provided by Federal law for a veteran or a dependent or
survivor of a veteran.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 63 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``1352. Fraud regarding veterans' benefits.''.
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