STOP Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3089
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-25T20:42:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation The bill amends section 111 of title 18, United States Code, to create a specific federal offense for barricading during arrest evasion by federal law enforcement officers. It is titled the "Secure Takedown and Obstruction Prevention Act" or "STOP Act."
Congressional Findings
- Law enforcement officers face significant dangers in their duties.
- Barricading can escalate situations, prolong standoffs, divert resources, and increase risks of harm to officers, suspects, and bystanders.
- Federal officers make sacrifices and deserve support through federal law.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Barricade" means positioning oneself to block immediate access by a federal officer and refusing to exit or comply with lawful orders when the person knows or should know the officer is attempting apprehension.
- "Federal law enforcement officer" follows the definition in section 115 of title 18.
- New Offense: It is unlawful to barricade while forcibly resisting a federal officer performing official duties (under subsection (a)(1)) or to aid, assist, or attempt to aid another in such conduct.
- Penalties:
- Base penalty: Fine, up to 3 years imprisonment, or both.
- Enhanced penalty (up to 5 years): If the act creates risk of or causes serious physical harm, the person possesses or claims a deadly weapon, or a third party is present and cannot safely leave.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Redesignates the existing subsection (c) as subsection (d).
- Adds a new subsection (c) that specifically addresses barricading during arrest evasion, including definitions, the offense, and tiered penalties. This expands the existing framework for offenses against federal officers under section 111.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Provides federal law enforcement with an additional tool to address barricading tactics, potentially reducing prolonged standoffs and resource use.
- Citizens: Introduces new criminal liability for individuals who barricade while evading federal arrest, with higher penalties in cases involving weapons, harm risks, or bystanders.
- International relations: No provisions address international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal law enforcement officers and agencies responsible for arrests.
- Individuals suspected of federal offenses who attempt to evade apprehension.
- Third parties or bystanders present during such incidents.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Creates a new federal criminal offense with specific definitions and graduated penalties tied to aggravating factors.
- Operates within existing federal authority over offenses against officers but adds targeted conduct related to physical obstruction.
- May involve considerations of due process in defining "knows or reasonably should know" and "forcibly resisting," though the bill does not address these directly.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-10-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Secure Takedown and Obstruction Prevention Act — issued 2025-10-30 — PDF (4 pages)