S. 4546 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4546 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 13, 2024Mr. Cotton (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to expand the prohibition on destruction of veterans' memorials to include other memorials and to establish mandatory minimum sentences for violations of that prohibition. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Saving Treasured Artifacts Through Uniformed Enforcement Act or STATUE Act. 2. Amendments (a) In general Section 1369 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 1369. Destruction of memorials (a) Prohibition It shall be unlawful for any person, in a circumstance described in subsection (b), to willfully injure or destroy, or attempt to injure or destroy, a structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property. (b) Circumstances A circumstance described in this subsection is that— (1) in committing the offense described in subsection (a), the defendant travels or causes another to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or uses the mail or an instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce; or (2) the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument described in subsection (a) is located on property owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government. (c) Penalties Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be— (1) fined— (A) not less than the greater of— (i) $1,000; or (ii) the amount of damage to the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument described in subsection (a); and (B) not more than the applicable maximum amount under this title; and (2) imprisoned— (A) not less than 5 years; and (B) not more than 10 years. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1369 and inserting the following: 1369. Destruction of memorials. .