Graham Hoffman Act

The Graham Hoffman Act would create a new federal crime targeting assaults on first responders. Specifically, it adds a new Sec. 121 to Chapter 7 of Title 18, making it a federal offense to knowingly assault a first responder engaged in official duties in a way that causes serious bodily injury or to attempt such an act. The law imposes up to 10 years in prison (and fines) for most cases, with much harsher penalties—potential life imprisonment or a long term—if the assault results in death or involves kidnapping or an attempted murder. Federal jurisdiction would be triggered under several circumstances, such as when the offense involves interstate travel or commerce, uses interstate channels or equipment, or when a weapon traveled in interstate commerce, or when the victim is a federal first responder. The bill requires the Attorney General (or a designee) to certify federal jurisdiction in each case, and it defines who counts as a first responder (broadly including firefighters, police, EMS personnel, and certain paramedic staff). A clerical amendment adds the new section to the table of sections in Title 18.