Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2026

HR 9472: The Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act

This bill, known as the Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act, aims to stop people from illegally occupying homes by defining squatting as entering a property and staying there for at least 10 to 14 days without the owner's permission or payment of rent. It directs local law enforcement to quickly remove squatters and prosecute them according to local laws while prohibiting the use of federal benefits to support or encourage such behavior. The legislation also ties federal housing funds to local compliance by withholding Community Development Block Grant money from jurisdictions that allow squatting or grant special tenant rights to squatters, and it bars federal mortgage support for loans secured by properties in those non-compliant areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement authority to remove squatters and mandates prosecution, aligning with enforcing property laws and supporting criminal justice enforcement.65% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects property owners' rights by criminalizing squatting, thereby safeguarding housing stability and preventing unauthorized occupation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Community Development Mortgages Tenant Rights

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4782: ReportScams.gov Act

The ReportScams.gov Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to combat scams by creating a centralized website, reportscams.gov, where the public can access prevention resources, report incidents, and find victim assistance. This initiative requires the Office of Management and Budget to set a national priority goal for reducing scams and form an interagency Steering Committee involving major departments like the FBI, FTC, and Secret Service to develop a unified action plan. The bill mandates the creation of a secure online portal that routes scam reports to relevant federal and state authorities while providing detailed, up-to-date information on recognizing and avoiding fraud. Additionally, the legislation ensures accountability through quarterly progress reviews, annual public reports on scam trends and financial losses, and a specific authority for agencies to transfer funds to support these coordinated efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by creating a federal framework to combat scams, enhancing victim assistance, and improving law enforcement coordination through interagency committees.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by creating a centralized platform to combat scams and protect consumers from digital fraud.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4857: Open Meetings Act of 2026

The Open Meetings Act of 2026 requires the Judicial Conference to provide public notice, live audio streaming, and recorded archives for its meetings. This law directly affects the Judicial Conference by mandating that meeting details be published online at least 30 days in advance and that audio streams be available to the public without charge or registration. While the conference must make these streams accessible, it retains the ability to hold closed sessions for legally protected or sensitive matters, provided it publicly explains the reason for doing so. Additionally, the conference must post the audio archives on its website within seven days after each meeting concludes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and public oversight of the Judicial Conference, aligning with indicators for improved accountability in the justice system.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates public notice, live streaming, and recorded archives for judicial meetings, enhancing digital access and transparency.85% confidence

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SRES 783: A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 11, 2026, as "Anti-Illicit Trade Awareness Day".

This resolution expresses support for designating June 11, 2026, as "Anti-Illicit Trade Awareness Day" to raise public and governmental attention about illegal trade activities. The bill defines illicit trade broadly to include the movement of contraband like drugs and firearms, as well as regulatory violations such as customs fraud and smuggling that harm the economy and national security. By formally recognizing this issue, the Senate aims to encourage reporting of illegal activities, promote education on the scale of the problem, and urge federal agencies to prioritize combating these networks in their security strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill designates a day to raise awareness about illicit trade, including drugs and firearms, aiming to encourage reporting and combat illegal activities that harm national security.75% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 9276: Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act

The Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act establishes a new task force within the Department of Justice to coordinate efforts against cryptocurrency theft. Led by the Attorney General, this group will include representatives from agencies such as the FBI and the Treasury to improve how federal, state, and local law enforcement investigate and prosecute these crimes. The task force is responsible for sharing information, providing training on digital evidence collection, and identifying gaps in current laws without creating new criminal offenses or regulating digital assets. Additionally, the Attorney General must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the task force's activities and offering recommendations for future improvements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a DOJ task force to coordinate cryptocurrency theft investigations and prosecutions, directly strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice efforts.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity by creating a task force to combat cryptocurrency theft and improve digital evidence collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 9270: Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026, restricts how unaccompanied children under 18 are handled by immigration authorities in the United States. It requires immigration judges to issue an arrest warrant before detaining these children pending removal decisions and prohibits the use of military personnel or Department of Defense vehicles to transport them for deportation, except during declared natural disasters. Additionally, the law forbids government agencies from pressuring children to sign legal documents that affect their status without first ensuring they have confidential access to a lawyer, mandating legal referrals within five business days if a child does not already have one.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts detention of unaccompanied children, requiring arrest warrants and limiting military transport, thereby protecting civil rights and enhancing due process within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts detention of unaccompanied children and limits use of military for deportation, protecting immigrant rights and due process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Children

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4752: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information, and for other purposes.

This bill increases the penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information to strengthen protections for individuals whose tax data is compromised. It raises maximum criminal fines for such violations from $5,000 to $250,000 and extends potential prison sentences from five to seven years. The legislation also introduces a new felony charge specifically for IRS contractors who willfully fail to maintain security safeguards, imposing fines of up to $500,000 or 25 percent of their total contract value with the IRS. Additionally, civil damages for unauthorized disclosures are increased from $1,000 to $5,000, and the bill requires the IRS to notify taxpayers promptly when they are criminally charged for leaking their tax return information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information, strengthening protections and enhancing accountability for IRS contractors.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy and cybersecurity by increasing penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SRES 772: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that under no circumstances should Samuel Bankman-Fried receive executive clemency, including a pardon or commutation, and affirming the Senate's commitment to the rule of law and integrity of the United States financial system.

This Senate resolution expresses the official stance that former FTX co-founder Samuel Bankman-Fried should never receive a presidential pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency. The measure directly addresses Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering related to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange. By formally rejecting the idea of clemency, the bill aims to ensure that the penalties imposed by the courts remain in effect and to signal that large-scale financial crimes carry permanent accountability. Additionally, the resolution affirms the integrity of the federal justice process that convicted Bankman-Fried and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill opposes executive clemency for a convicted felon, thereby upholding sentencing integrity and the rule of law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 4670: Enhanced Alerts for Missing Loved Ones with Disabilities Act of 2026

This bill updates federal guidelines to better assist law enforcement in locating missing adults and children with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. It requires alert systems to explicitly include these specific conditions and mandates new training programs for agencies on how to effectively respond to cases involving these vulnerable populations. By amending existing laws, the legislation ensures that search efforts are tailored to the unique needs of individuals with cognitive or developmental impairments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances law enforcement capabilities and mandates training for vulnerable populations, strengthening criminal justice response to missing persons cases.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens support for vulnerable populations by improving emergency response systems and mandating specialized training for law enforcement to better serve individuals with disabilities and dementia.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 9189: Right to Record Act of 2026

The Right to Record Act of 2026 establishes a federal legal right for individuals to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement activities in public view. It creates a new civil cause of action that allows individuals to sue federal officers and the United States government for specific retaliatory actions, such as arresting someone for recording or threatening them with database inclusion. Under this bill, violators could face civil penalties of up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the misconduct was done with malice or reckless disregard for rights. The law also mandates annual training for federal officers on respecting these rights while enforcing the law and clarifies that the right does not extend to physically restraining an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability and protects civil rights by establishing a right to record and allowing lawsuits against retaliatory federal officers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects digital rights by establishing a legal right to record law enforcement, preventing retaliation for using technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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