Criminal Justice across the country

Admissibility of statements by individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in certain cases. Prohibits admission of any evidence from an individual with developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities, as defined in relevant law, in certain criminal prosecutions unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that such individual's decision to speak to law enforcement did not have a direct and substantial relationship to such individual's disability. The bill requires notice be given to the attorney for the Commonwealth if a defendant intends to introduce expert testimony regarding his disability. The bill prohibits any statements made by a defendant during an examination by an expert witness from being used against him except for impeachment or perjury.

Relating to criminal history record checks, the scheduling of kratom alkaloid derivatives as a schedule I controlled substance, and the regulation of kratom products; to amend and reenact sections 12.1‑31‑03 and 19‑03.1‑22.3, and subsection 7 of section 19‑03.1‑23 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to penalties for the use and possession of kratom alkaloid derivatives and the sale of kratom to individuals under twenty‑one years of age; to provide a penalty; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.

HB 5814 amends the Illinois Sports Wagering Act to repeal all provisions governing fantasy contests, including their definition as non-gambling activities, operator licensure requirements, and associated privilege taxes. The bill also removes a specific transaction tax on exchange wager transactions and repeals criminal code exemptions that previously protected participants in certain fantasy contests from gambling charges. By eliminating these regulatory frameworks, the legislation effectively ends the state's specific legal authorization for fantasy contest operations under this act.

This Illinois House Resolution formally congratulates Michael "Mike" Kreloff on his 80th birthday and recognizes his decades of public service in the state. The bill highlights his background as a lawyer, his involvement in various political campaigns, and his advocacy for issues such as election integrity and the abolition of the death penalty. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to him as a symbol of the legislature's respect.

This Illinois House resolution formally condemns all forms of socialism, characterizing the ideology as historically responsible for chaos, destruction, and starvation. It specifically criticizes the Democratic Socialists of America, alleging that their proposed policies would lead to excessive taxation, defunded police departments, the elimination of prisons, and open borders. The bill asserts that these measures would threaten public safety and economic prosperity by targeting wealth-producing capital and vulnerable communities. Ultimately, the resolution serves as a symbolic statement recognizing socialism as a dangerous ideology rather than enacting any new laws or funding changes.

The Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act of 2026 mandates that healthcare providers and their business partners implement strict cybersecurity standards, conduct annual risk assessments, and undergo independent compliance audits to protect patient data. The bill significantly increases civil penalties for security violations and introduces criminal charges for submitting false reports or willfully failing to meet documentation requirements. To support these efforts, it authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to collect user fees from covered entities to fund oversight activities. Additionally, the legislation provides Medicare incentive payments for hospitals that adopt essential and enhanced cybersecurity practices while imposing payment reductions on facilities that fail to comply with these standards.

The Karly Rain Wood Act establishes a mandatory national registration system for individuals convicted of multiple serious violent crimes or a combination of violent and drug offenses. These registered individuals must provide personal details, biometric data, and travel plans to local authorities and appear in person for verification every 90 days. The bill creates a public website where anyone can search for registered offenders by ZIP code or geographic radius, while also requiring law enforcement to notify schools, housing agencies, and child welfare services when an offender registers or moves. States and Indian Tribes are given three years to implement the system, with federal funding penalties for non-compliance and grants available to help cover implementation costs.

This House resolution honors the life and legacy of Constance "Connie" Clery, who passed away in June 2026, and expresses condolences to her family. It recognizes her pivotal role in transforming personal tragedy into a national movement for campus safety after the murder of her daughter, Jeanne Clery. The text highlights how Connie and her husband helped establish the nonprofit Clery Center and advocated for the passage of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. This legislation requires colleges participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security policies to prospective students. The resolution concludes by reaffirming Congress's commitment to enforcing these safety standards.

The Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2026 prohibits the use of corporal punishment by school staff, law enforcement officers, and security guards in any educational program that receives federal financial assistance. The bill requires schools to notify parents, state agencies, and local law enforcement within 24 hours if a student is subjected to physical discipline, with additional reporting requirements for students with disabilities. To improve school environments, the legislation authorizes grants for states to implement positive behavioral interventions and reduce exclusionary discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions. States must submit annual reports on their progress in improving school climate, and the Department of Education can withhold federal funds from programs or state agencies that fail to comply with these requirements.

The Fentanyl Sanctions Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the existing legal authority to impose sanctions related to fentanyl trafficking until December 31, 2033. This bill directly affects foreign entities and individuals involved in the production or distribution of fentanyl by maintaining current enforcement tools for an additional period. The primary provision amends Section 7234 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to replace its previous expiration date with the new deadline.