Back the Blue Act of 2023

Back the Blue Act of 2023

This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer.

Additionally, the bill

• expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder;
• broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms; and
• limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge.

The Back the Blue Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 3079, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at providing support and protection for law enforcement officers. The bill includes several key provisions, including increasing penalties for individuals who target law enforcement officers, providing funding for the purchase of body cameras for police departments, and creating a national registry of officers who have been fired for misconduct.

One of the main goals of the Back the Blue Act is to deter violence against law enforcement officers by imposing harsher penalties on individuals who commit crimes against them. The bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly assault a law enforcement officer, with penalties including fines and up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for individuals who use firearms to target officers, with mandatory minimum sentences of 30 years in prison.

Another important provision of the Back the Blue Act is the funding for body cameras for police departments. Body cameras have become an important tool for increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, and the bill would provide grants to help police departments purchase and maintain these cameras. This would help ensure that interactions between officers and the public are recorded and can be reviewed in cases of misconduct or disputes. The bill also includes a provision for the creation of a national registry of officers who have been fired for misconduct. This registry would help prevent officers who have been fired for serious offenses from being hired by other departments, thus improving accountability and preventing bad actors from continuing to work in law enforcement. Overall, the Back the Blue Act of 2023 aims to support and protect law enforcement officers while also promoting transparency and accountability in policing. The bill includes provisions to deter violence against officers, provide funding for body cameras, and create a registry of officers who have been fired for misconduct.