Senate Bill No. 51, introduced by Senator Kleinpeter, aims to establish the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards in Louisiana. The bill defines this crime as making false claims about having received or holding a military service record or award that was either revoked or not granted, with the intent to injure, defraud, or gain economic advantage. Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months. More severe penalties apply for fraudulent claims related to specific military honors, such as the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart, with fines reaching $5,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if the fraudulent representation leads to the issuance of benefits reserved for active duty service members, veterans, or their families, the offender may face fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to five years, along with a requirement to pay full restitution for any benefits obtained unlawfully. The bill also provides definitions for key terms such as "award," "service record," and "veteran," ensuring clarity in the enforcement of the new law. The proposed law is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.