HR4834-119

What This Bill Does

The GATE CRASHERS Act amends title 18 to create a new offense for unauthorized access to Department of Defense facilities. It is unlawful, within U.S. jurisdiction, to go without authorization onto property that is under DOD jurisdiction and clearly marked as closed or restricted.

The bill sets escalating criminal penalties. A first offense can be punished by a fine, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both. A second offense can be punished by a fine, imprisonment for up to 3 years, or both. A third or later offense can be punished by a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. The bill adds the new section to the title 18 chapter 67 table of sections.

Who Benefits and How

Department of Defense installation commanders, military police, base security offices, and personnel working on restricted DOD property benefit from clearer federal authority to deter and prosecute unauthorized entry. Federal prosecutors and DOD security personnel benefit from a specific criminal statute with graduated penalties.

Who Bears the Burden and How

People who enter clearly marked restricted DOD property without authorization face criminal exposure, fines, and imprisonment. Federal courts, U.S. Attorneys' offices, and federal defenders may see additional cases if the new offense is charged. DOD facility managers must ensure restricted property is clearly marked to support enforcement.

Key Provisions

• Creates a federal offense for unauthorized entry onto DOD property that is clearly marked as closed or restricted.
• Requires the property to be under Department of Defense jurisdiction and clearly marked before the offense applies.
• Provides first-offense penalties of a fine, up to 180 days imprisonment, or both.
• Provides second-offense penalties of a fine, up to 3 years imprisonment, or both.
• Provides third-or-subsequent-offense penalties of a fine, up to 10 years imprisonment, or both.
• Adds the new offense to the chapter 67 table of sections in title 18.