US SB1601

Creates a new federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 120 for intentionally assaulting journalists engaged in newsgathering or with intent to intimidate/impede their newsgathering activities

Penalties include up to 3 years imprisonment and/or fines for causing bodily injury to a journalist, and up to 6 years imprisonment and/or fines for causing serious bodily injury

Defines "journalist" as an employee, contractor, or agent of a news entity who engages in newsgathering with primary intent to investigate and disseminate news on matters of public interest

Covers journalists working across all media platforms including newspapers, websites, mobile apps, television, radio, and motion pictures

Requires the offense to occur in or affect interstate or foreign commerce and that the perpetrator knew or had reason to know the victim was a journalist