AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026

The AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026 authorizes the Attorney General to conduct a study and fund a grant program aimed at addressing animal cruelty as a potential predictor of future human violence. The bill defines animal cruelty to include intentional harm, neglect, and specific abusive acts while explicitly excluding standard veterinary care, hunting, and food slaughter. It establishes a $2 million grant program for eligible entities, such as law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organizations, to train professionals and develop early intervention strategies for offenders. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2 million for a three-year study to analyze the link between animal cruelty and future violent crimes, with the goal of creating evidence-based policies to prevent such violence.