H.R. 5590 — SWAT Act

This section restructures 18 U.S.C. 844(e)—which criminalizes threats to damage or destroy property by fire or explosives, or maliciously conveying false information concerning such threats, with a general maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment—by redesignating it as subsection (e)(1) and adding subsection (e)(2). Subsection (e)(2) increases the maximum term of imprisonment to 20 years (from 10 years) for such violations when made against a public, private, or religious school providing early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under state law.

This section establishes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than 20 years, a fine under title 18, or both for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 875 (interstate communications threats) or § 876 (mailing threatening communications) involving threats against a public, private, or religious school providing early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under state law.

This section establishes a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine, or both under 18 U.S.C. 1038(a)(1)(D) for conveying false information or hoaxes indicating that prohibited activities (i.e., attempts to kill, injure, intimidate, or damage property using destructive devices, WMDs, or other specified means) have taken, are taking, or will take place in a public, private, or religious school providing early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, or career and technical education, as determined under state law.