September 26, 2025
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for communicating threats that target schools.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Schools Want Accountability for Threats Act
or the SWAT Act
.
Sec. 2. Threats involving fire or explosives
Section 844(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking (e)
and inserting (e)(1)
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(2)
Whoever violates paragraph (1) by making a threat against, or maliciously conveying false information with respect to, a public, private, or religious school that provides early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under State law, shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years or fined under this title, or both.
Sec. 3. Threats through the mail or interstate communications
Chapter 41 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 875 by adding at the end the following:
(e)
Whoever violates any other provision of this section by making a threat against a public, private, or religious school that provides early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under State law, shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years or fined under this title, or both.; and
(2)
in section 876 by adding at the end the following:
(e)
Whoever violates any other provision of this section by making a threat against a public, private, or religious school that provides early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under State law, shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years or fined under this title, or both.
Sec. 4. False information and hoaxes
Section 1038(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B) by striking and
;
(2)
in subparagraph (C) by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
if the information indicates that the activity has taken, is taking, or will take place in a public, private, or religious school that provides early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under State law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.