§797 — Title 50 War and National Defense | U.S. Code

Summary

Anyone who purposely breaks a security rule for Defense or NASA property can be fined under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, put in jail for up to one year, or both. The rules are those made or approved by the Secretary of Defense (or certain military or senior DoD officials he names) for DoD property, or by the NASA Administrator for NASA property. Those rules cover safety and security matters like fire hazards, lighting, machines, guard service, bad repair, who may enter or leave, and ways to protect against accidents, attack, sabotage, or other harmful acts. “Covered property” means things and places like aircraft, ships, airports and docks, bases, labs, vehicles, equipment, explosives, and similar facilities. Rules include orders, and they must be posted where people can see them.

Title 50, §797

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Whoever willfully violates any defense property security regulation shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(2)For purposes of paragraph (1), a defense property security regulation is a property security regulation that, pursuant to lawful authority—

(A)shall be or has been promulgated or approved by the Secretary of Defense (or by a military commander designated by the Secretary of Defense or by a military officer, or a civilian officer or employee of the Department of Defense, holding a senior Department of Defense director position designated by the Secretary of Defense) for the protection or security of Department of Defense property; or

(B)shall be or has been promulgated or approved by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the protection or security of NASA property.

(3)For purposes of paragraph (2), a property security regulation, with respect to any property, is a regulation—

(A)relating to fire hazards, fire protection, lighting, machinery, guard service, disrepair, disuse, or other unsatisfactory conditions on such property, or the ingress thereto or egress or removal of persons therefrom; or

(B)otherwise providing for safeguarding such property against destruction, loss, or injury by accident or by enemy action, sabotage, or other subversive actions.

(4)In this subsection:

(A)The term “Department of Defense property” means covered property subject to the jurisdiction, administration, or in the custody of the Department of Defense, any Department or agency of which that Department consists, or any officer or employee of that Department or agency.

(B)The term “NASA property” means covered property subject to the jurisdiction, administration, or in the custody of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or any officer or employee thereof.

(C)The term “covered property” means aircraft, airports, airport facilities, vessels, harbors, ports, piers, water-front facilities, bases, forts, posts, laboratories, stations, vehicles, equipment, explosives, or other property or places.

(D)The term “regulation” includes an order.

(b)Any regulation or order covered by subsection (a) shall be posted in conspicuous and appropriate places.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–163 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to security

Regulations

and orders and penalties for violations.

§797 Penalty for violation of security regulations and orders

Summary

Title 50, §797

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Regulations

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