Issue · Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice across the country

Every criminal justice bill from all 50 state legislatures and Congress, introduced in the last 12 weeks and automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

Total bills
191
last 12 weeks
Active states
14
jurisdictions with bills
Most active
110 bills
Stance split
148 for 43 against
National trend

Bills introduced per week

12-week window
Jun 29 Sep 14
Showing 10 of 10 bills

Bills opposing criminal justice

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10231: No Homeless Detention Centers Act

The No Homeless Detention Centers Act prohibits recipients of federal housing funds from forcing homeless individuals to live in government facilities or requiring them to perform labor in exchange for shelter. The bill also bans local and state authorities from punishing people for engaging in basic life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping or resting, on public property. These restrictions apply to actions taken by law enforcement officers or private contractors acting under federal authority. By tying these prohibitions to federal funding, the legislation aims to prevent the use of criminal penalties or involuntary confinement to address homelessness.
Maxwell Frost (D) · 19 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · House Aug 13, 2026

HR 10098: Restoring the Death Penalty in DC Act

The Restoring the Death Penalty in DC Act would reinstate capital punishment in the District of Columbia for specific serious crimes, including first-degree murder, terrorism, and certain offenses involving minors or law enforcement officers. The bill establishes a two-phase trial process where a separate hearing is held after a guilty verdict to determine if aggravating factors outweigh mitigating circumstances, requiring a unanimous jury decision to recommend a death sentence. It designates electrocution as the default method of execution but allows condemned individuals to choose alternatives such as lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia, while prohibiting executions for pregnant women, minors, and those lacking mental capacity to understand their punishment.
Sub-Topics Law Enforcement
Nancy Mace (R)
in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2026

SB 1430: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, further providing for obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1430 amends state criminal law to allow owners, operators, and employees of health care facilities to use nonviolent means to deny entry to law enforcement officers on their premises. This protection applies unless the officer can demonstrate probable cause that a specific individual is present and physically possesses a judicial warrant clearly identifying that person as the subject of the order. The bill defines key terms such as "health care facility" and "judicial warrant," limiting the scope of this exception to written orders from federal or state courts. If enacted, the law would take effect 60 days after its passage.
Sub-Topics Law Enforcement
John Kane (D) · 7 co-sponsors
in committee · California · Senate Aug 11, 2026

SR 138: Relative to the Democratic Socialists of America.

This California Senate resolution formally expresses disagreement with the policy platform of the Democratic Socialists of America, arguing that its proposals would undermine economic growth, fiscal sustainability, and public safety. The bill cites historical examples of socialist governments to support its position that expanding government control over the economy threatens individual liberty and private property rights. It further asserts that DSA advocacy for abolishing police and prisons poses risks to community safety and law and order. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the Senate's commitment to addressing housing affordability through increased supply and regulatory streamlining, while promoting effective law enforcement and free enterprise principles.
Suzette Valladares (R) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 5245: Karly Rain Wood Act

The Karly Rain Wood Act establishes a national system requiring individuals convicted of multiple serious violent crimes or a combination of violent and drug offenses to register with state and federal authorities for life. These "repeat violent felons" must provide detailed personal information, including DNA samples, fingerprints, and travel itineraries, and are required to appear in person every 90 days to verify their status. The bill mandates that states create public websites listing these individuals' details, which will be aggregated into a national database accessible by the public, law enforcement, schools, and employers. To ensure compliance, the legislation authorizes federal grants to help jurisdictions implement the program while imposing financial penalties on states that fail to substantially adopt the new registration requirements.
Sub-Topics Law Enforcement
Pete Ricketts (R) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9904: Deputy Darren Almendarez Act

This bill, known as the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act, adds a new federal crime for knowingly possessing or purchasing catalytic converters removed from vehicles with the intent to sell or distribute them. It directly affects individuals involved in the removal and resale of these parts, as well as businesses like scrap yards and repair shops, by establishing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 for first offenses. The law includes specific exceptions that allow for legal possession or purchase if the converter was removed by a vehicle owner, acquired during official duties by authorized entities, or bought from licensed businesses that follow state and local identification rules. For repeat offenders, the potential prison sentence increases to ten years and the fine limit rises to $200,000.
Brandon Gill (R) · 13 co-sponsors
introduced · Illinois · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 5801: FINANCE-BRIDGE FUND TRANSFER

HB 5801 amends the State Finance Act to require the transfer of specific funds from various state accounts into the Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies Fund. This bill directly affects multiple state funds, including those for open space lands, medical cannabis, law enforcement, and wildlife conservation, by mandating that the State Comptroller and Treasurer move designated amounts from each into the reserve. The legislation sets a deadline of July 31, 2025, for completing these transfers, which range from small sums like $43,000 to larger amounts like $15 million. By repealing previous rules that required transfers to the reserve from certain funds, this act establishes a new, comprehensive list of sources for the budget reserve.
Bob Rita (D)
in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9793: Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026

The Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026 restricts the ability of certain individuals to file civil lawsuits under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Specifically, it bars private citizens from bringing these claims if they have been convicted of crimes such as assaulting federal law enforcement officers, interfering with federal elections, obstructing government processes, or committing felonies involving theft or misuse of federal funds. This provision applies regardless of whether the convicted person has received a pardon or had their sentence commuted. The bill directly affects individuals with these specific criminal convictions who might otherwise seek legal redress against the federal government.
Sub-Topics Law Enforcement
Brittany Pettersen (D)
in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9716: PRIVACY Act

The PRIVACY Act restricts Federal law enforcement agencies from accessing surveillance data collected by State or local agencies without a warrant issued by a Federal judge. It establishes a "Jurisdictional Wall List" maintained by the Attorney General that includes technologies like automated license plate readers and long-range microphones, prohibiting the use of Federal funds to purchase these specific devices. While the bill allows for limited exceptions in emergencies or with consent, it mandates strict rules on data retention, requiring agencies to delete most collected information within 30 days unless it becomes evidence in an active prosecution. Additionally, the legislation bans the use of this data to monitor individuals exercising First Amendment rights and requires regular reporting to Congress on how these surveillance tools are utilized.
Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement
Keith Self (R) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9656: Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act

This bill requires hospitals that receive federal health care funding to ask patients about their immigration status during admission and report the results to government agencies. Under the law, hospitals must include a specific statement on intake forms assuring patients that their answers will not affect their medical care or lead to a law enforcement report unless the patient is suspected of certain crimes. Hospitals must also submit quarterly reports detailing how many patients are citizens, lawful residents, or undocumented, along with the number of individuals who refused to answer or failed to provide proof of their legal status. The legislation prohibits hospitals from sharing personal identifying information with the government while allowing them to exclude non-compliant facilities from federal programs. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to Congress analyzing the costs of uncompensated care for undocumented patients and its impact on hospital services.
Chip Roy (R) · 4 co-sponsors