49 USC 5124 - Criminal penalty

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 16, 2025

§ 5124.

Criminal penalty

(a)

In General.—

A person knowingly violating section 5104(b) or willfully or recklessly violating this chapter or a regulation, order, special permit, or approval issued under this chapter shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both; except that the maximum amount of imprisonment shall be 10 years in any case in which the violation involves the release of a hazardous material that results in death or bodily injury to any person.

that results in death or bodily injury to any person.

(b)

Knowing Violations.—

For purposes of this section—

(1)

a person acts knowingly when—

(A)

the person has actual knowledge of the facts giving rise to the violation; or

(B)

a reasonable person acting in the circumstances and exercising reasonable care would have that knowledge; and

(2)

knowledge of the existence of a statutory provision, or a regulation or a requirement required by the Secretary, is not an element of an offense under this section.

(c)

Willful Violations.—

For purposes of this section, a person acts willfully when—

(1)

the person has knowledge of the facts giving rise to the violation; and

(2)

the person has knowledge that the conduct was unlawful.

(d)

Reckless Violations.—

For purposes of this section, a person acts recklessly when the person displays a deliberate indifference or conscious disregard to the consequences of that person’s conduct.

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, § 7121, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1906.)

cite as: 49 USC 5124