PRIA Logo™
119-hr-6173119th Congress

Public Transit Crime Prevention Act

Sponsored By: Representative Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

Introduced

Summary

Creates new federal crimes and penalties for transit vandalism and assaults. This bill would add federal offenses targeting graffiti, vandalism, possession of tools to commit those crimes, and assaults on mass transportation vehicles, facilities, passengers, and workers.

Show full summary
  • Passengers and families: Vandalism and graffiti on transit vehicles or property would be a federal crime and could require restitution equal to the total cost of repair, cleanup, or replacement.
  • Transit workers: Assaults on workers or passengers performing transit duties would be federal offenses with steep prison terms. Simple assault carries prison time starting at 5 years up to 20 years and aggravated assaults start at 15 years and can exceed 20 years when a weapon or serious injury is involved.
  • Transit agencies and systems: Vandalism becomes aggravated when damage exceeds $1,000 or the offender has a relevant prior conviction, raising penalties to as much as 10 years and exposing agencies to restitution claims.
  • Criminal enforcement: The bill would add these offenses into Chapter 97 of Title 18 and applies when the conduct affects interstate or foreign commerce, involves vehicles or facilities used in interstate commerce, or the property receives federal funding.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal penalties for transit vandalism

If enacted, it would make graffiti and other defacing of transit vehicles, stations, or property a federal crime in some cases. Having tools with intent to tag or deface would also be illegal. It would apply when the incident affects interstate commerce or the transit system gets federal funds. A general offense could bring a fine and up to 5 years in prison. Aggravated cases (over $1,000 in damage or a prior qualifying conviction) could bring up to 10 years, and courts would have to order full restitution for cleanup or repair.

Harsher penalties for transit assaults

If enacted, it would make assaulting a transit worker or passenger a federal crime in some cases. It would apply when the incident affects interstate commerce or the transit system gets federal funds. A simple offense could bring a fine and 5 to 20 years in prison. Aggravated cases (weapon use, serious injury, or a prior qualifying conviction) could bring 15 to 20 years. This is aimed at protecting riders and workers on buses, trains, and stations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

TN • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation