2022 -- H 7714

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LC005383

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- FALSE REPRESENTATION OF MILITARY

STATUS

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, and McEntee

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 70

FALSE REPRESENTATION OF MILITARY STATUS

     11-70-1. False representation of military status prohibited – Stolen valor.

     (a) A person commits the crime of stolen valor if he or she knowingly, with the intent to

obtain money, property, or another tangible benefit:

     (1) Fraudulently represents himself or herself to be an active member or veteran of the

United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, including armed forces reserves

and National Guard through the unauthorized manufacture, sale, or use of military regalia or gear,

including the wearing of military uniforms, or the use of falsified military identification; and

obtains money, property, or another tangible benefit through such fraudulent representation.

     (2) Fraudulently represents himself or herself to be a recipient of the Congressional Medal

of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart,

Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Action

Ribbon, or Air Force Combat Action Medal; and obtains money, property, or another tangible

benefit through such fraudulent representation.

     (b) A person who commits the crime of stolen valor is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall

be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of one thousand dollars

($1,000), or both.

     (c) Any monies collected pursuant to this chapter shall be forwarded to the office of the

adjutant general to be allocated to the Rhode Island military family relief fund established pursuant

to § 30-3-41.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- FALSE REPRESENTATION OF MILITARY

STATUS

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     This act would create a new crime, referred to as stolen valor, which would be committed

by any person who knowingly, with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits,

fraudulently represents himself or herself as an active or inactive member of the military or armed

forces. The crime would be a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year,

a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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