18 USC 506 - Seals of departments or agencies

1 So in original. Probably should be “42”.

U.S.C. 1396span(v))), disability, veterans, public housing, education, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits,

2 So in original. The word “benefits” probably should not appear.

or unemployment benefit, or any similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and

Historical and revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 131 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title X, § 2, 40 Stat. 228).

Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.

In view of definitions of department and agency in section 6 of this title, words “department or agency” in first paragraph were substituted for “executive department, or any bureau, commission, or office”.

Provision for 10 years’ imprisonment was reduced to 5 years to conform to punishment provision in section 505 of this title, covering an offense of like gravity.

Minor changes in phraseology were also made.

Editorial Notes

Codification

Puspan. L. 110–234 and Puspan. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Puspan. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Puspan. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Puspan. L. 110–246, § 4002(span)(1)(E), (2)(M), substituted “supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits” for “food stamps”.

1996—Puspan. L. 104–208 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters the seal of any department or agency of the United States; or

“Whoever knowingly uses, affixes, or impresses any such fraudulently made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered seal to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper, of any description; or

“Whoever, with fraudulent intent, possesses any such seal, knowing the same to have been so falsely made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered—

“Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”

1994—Puspan. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Puspan. L. 110–234 by Puspan. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Puspan. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Puspan. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Amendment by section 4002(span)(1)(E), (2)(M) of Puspan. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Puspan. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress.