H.R. 7898: National Guard Protective Zone Act

This bill, known as the National Guard Protective Zone Act, aims to create legal protections for members of the National Guard by establishing specific zones around them during their deployments. Here’s a summary of its key provisions:

Definition of Protective Zone

The bill defines a "posted protective zone" as an area surrounding a member of the National Guard that:

• Has a perimeter no larger than 15 feet from the member.
• Is marked by visible signs, verbal warnings, barricade tape, or other reasonable means.

Prohibition of Interference

It will be illegal for any person to:

• Knowingly enter or stay within this protective zone with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with the official duties of the National Guard member.

This applies during deployments authorized under specific military provisions outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Penalties for Violations

The bill outlines penalties for violating these protections:

• A person who violates the prohibition may face fines, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
• If a person makes physical contact with a National Guard member, throws an object at them, or spits on them while violating the protective zone, the maximum imprisonment could be extended to five years.

Protection of First Amendment Rights

Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not restrict activities protected by the First Amendment, as long as those activities occur outside of the posted protective zone. This is to ensure that individuals can exercise their free speech rights without facing legal consequences, provided they do not interfere with National Guard members.

Amendments to the United States Code

The provisions of this bill will lead to technical amendments to Chapter 67 of Title 18 of the United States Code, formally incorporating the new definitions and penalties described above.

Relevant Companies

None found.