Stolen Valour Act 674

A bill to declare 'stolen valour' and other fraudulent claims about military service a federal crime.

REJECTED by the General Assembly on 27 DEC 2024 with 10 Aye, 13 Nay, and 1 Abstain.

Definitions

Stolen Valour: False claims about military service including exaggeration of service details and impersonation of a member of the armed forces.

Member of the Armed Forces: A currently serving member of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard of the Serene Republic.

Veteran: A former member of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard of the Serene Republic.

Decorations, Honours, and Awards (hereby "Decorations" collectively) gained whilst in military service shall be defined in the following categories:

Orders of Merit: An order or decoration recognising service to the Serene Republic and its interests.

Gallantry Decoration: A medal or decoration recognising gallantry in service.

Service Decoration: A medal or decoration recognising military service for a period of time.

Campaign Decoration: A medal or decoration recognising service in a theatre of conflict.

Article 1 - Stolen Valour for Fraudulent Personal Gain

1.1 - Fraudulent personal monetary gain (hereafter "monetary gain") shall be defined in the following categories.

1.1.1 - Charity fraud: The receiving of funds under the guise of a charitable cause without any of said funds going to said charitable causes.

1.1.2 - Welfare fraud: The receiving of government benefits such as government health insurance and military pensions that an individual would not otherwise be entitled to.

1.2 - If an individual exaggerates their military service, including but not limited to rank and length of service for monetary gain, they will face a maximum of 8 months in prison and/or a ₣30,000 fine.

1.3 - If an individual claims to be a member of the armed forces despite not being enlisted for monetary gain they will face a maximum of 1 year in prison and/or a ₣50,000 fine.

1.4 - If an individual claims to be a veteran despite never having enlisted for monetary gain, they will face a maximum of 1 year in prison and/or a ₣50,000 fine.

1.5 - If an individual claims to have been awarded a decoration despite never having been conferred it for monetary gain, they will face a maximum of 1 year and/or a fine of ₣50,000.

Article 2 - Exemptions

2.1 - If an individual claims to be a Member of the Armed Forces or veteran for dramatic or other visual representation in the below categories, they shall be exempt from penalty.

2.1.1 - Film and television

2.1.2 - Live stage performances

2.1.3 - Live re-enactment of historical or military events

2.2 - If an individual involved in a dramatic or other visual representation makes claims as above, outside of the representation, they shall be penalised as in Article 1.

Proposed by Christopher Blackadder II, MGA for Antillea.