Iowa Senate retools the “Stolen Valor ” Act.

Iowa Senate is working on creating a Bill, S.F. 397, that would make it a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,875 dollars and up to a year in prison. Sen. Dennis Black, D-Grinnell address the States Bill against the original 2005 Act.

“It does not really go as far as I’d like but constitutionally I think it goes as far as we can,” Black said before senators voted 48-0 to approve an amended version of Senate File 397 and shipped it to the Iowa House for consideration.

Which is important since that more people may will to abuse the new car license plate honoring those who have CIBs, CABs, CMBs, and CARs.

Legislation that cracks down on unauthorized use of military decorations and medals also unanimously passed the Senate. Senate File 397 has been dubbed “Stolen Valor” because it protects those who’ve answered the call to military service from theft of the honor they’ve earned.

This bill makes it a serious misdemeanor to impersonate a decorated military veteran to deceive another person with the intent to receive monetary gain, such as a job, promotion or political office.

Both of these bills now go to the House for further consideration.

The State Government of Texas will be looking into a similar Bill 431 in the near future.

“It’s easy to fool the general populace,” says McEntyre. “They’re not going to question you.”

And that’s why McEntyre doesn’t want to let the issue rest. Neither should lawmakers. The proposal next goes before the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“With the right amount of public awareness, it might make people (who are lying about a service record) think and realize that what (they’re) doing is wrong.

“People think this is a victimless crime,” McEntyre said. “But (the liars) are victimizing all of us in our good nature, our willingness to help other service members.”

Which is something that many people do not understand.

Category: Phony soldiers, Support the troops, Veterans Issues