The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights recently advanced bipartisan legislation that applies the same federal penalties to robberies involving off-site automatic teller machines (ATMs) as those that apply to robberies involving ATMs at financial institutions.
The Safe Access to Cash Act (S. 3798) would create punishments for anyone breaking into, tampering with, damaging, removing, or stealing any ATM.
“In Texas and across the country, criminals are increasingly targeting ATMs, putting workers, bystanders, law enforcement, and first responders in danger,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), subcommittee chairman, said. “This common-sense legislation strengthens federal penalties to deter these criminals and disrupt the organized networks behind these robberies.”
Robberies exceeding $1,000 would be punishable with a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. Robberies under $1,000 would be punishable with a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.
If, during the course of a robbery, someone is assaulted, the punishment is a fine, up to 25 years in prison, or both. Killing or kidnapping would be punishable with 30 years to life.
U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ruben Gallego (D-A) cosponsored the bill.
The bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives.