New Stolen Valor law could make it a criminal offense to impersonate a veteran in this state

Yolanda Arrington, Rare Staff | Posted on January 5, 2016 11:26 am

Screenshot/DVIDS

A new law penalizing military impersonators is on its way to the Maryland General Assembly this month.

Republican State Senator Bryan Simonaire, a member of the military veteran’s caucus, drafted the Stolen Valor Act of 2016 last year. It would make it a criminal offense to impersonate a service member or veteran.

A federal law was passed in 2013, but the Supreme Court rejected previous versions, citing free speech violations.

“As we saw in the federal case, you have to protect freedom of speech. So they can wear the uniform, but they can’t do it for their own personal gain,” Sen. Simonaire told WMAR, noting the law refers to obtaining property, money or other benefits as a result of claiming military service.

If Maryland’s Stolen Valor Act is passed, impersonators could face imprisonment or fines up to $2,500.

New Stolen Valor law could make it a criminal offense to impersonate a veteran in this state

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