The Protect and Serve Act of 2024 creates new federal criminal penalties for assaults against law enforcement officers. The bill makes it a federal crime to knowingly assault a law enforcement officer causing serious bodily injury, with punishments of up to 10 years in prison, and up to life imprisonment if the assault results in death or involves kidnapping or attempted killing. The law applies when the assault involves interstate travel, uses interstate commerce channels, involves weapons that crossed state lines, affects interstate commerce, or targets federal law enforcement officers. Before federal prosecutors can bring charges under this law, the U.S. Attorney General or a designee must certify that the state lacks jurisdiction, requested federal involvement, failed to vindicate federal interests through state prosecution, or that federal prosecution is necessary for substantial justice. The legislation does not specify any dedicated funding or implementation timeline.
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