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An Act To Make False Claims of Military Service a Crime
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  17-A MRSA §910  is enacted to read:
§ 910. False claims of military service status
 
1.      A person is guilty of a false claim of military service status if, with the intent to solicit aid, sell or attempt to sell property or otherwise solicit an amount of more than $10, the person:
 
A.  Falsely claims to be a veteran or member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a state military force;
 
B.  Falsely claims to have served in any war or conflict in which the United States was engaged; or
 
C.  Orally, in writing or by wearing a military decoration or rank, falsely claims to have been awarded the military decoration or rank.
 
2.      As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "military decoration" means any decoration or medal awarded by the Armed Forces of the United States or a state military force, including a service medal, ribbon, button or badge or a rosette of a service medal, ribbon, button or badge or a colorable imitation of a service medal, ribbon, button, badge or rosette.
 
3.      A false claim of military service status is a Class E crime.
 
SUMMARY
This bill creates the criminal offense of false claims of military service status, which is a Class E crime. A person is guilty of a false claim of military service status if, with the intent to solicit aid, sell or attempt to sell property or otherwise solicit an amount of more than $10, the person falsely claims to be a veteran or member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a state military force, falsely claims to have served in any war or conflict in which the United States was engaged or orally, in writing or by wearing a military decoration or rank, falsely claims to have been awarded the military decoration or rank.