Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2017

Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2017

This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify provisions, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, that prohibit committing robbery or extortion in a manner which, in any way or degree, obstructs interstate commerce.

Specifically, the bill exempts from the prohibition conduct that: (1) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during a labor dispute; (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury, minor property damage, or threats of such minor injury or damage; and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of a coordinated violent activity. Such exempted conduct is subject to prosecution only by state and local authorities.