Criminal Justice (Corrections)

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray , a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

HR 2726, the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act, amends federal sentencing law to increase mandatory minimum prison time for certain sex crimes against children. It directly affects individuals convicted of sexual offenses where the victim was under 18 years old. The key provision adds a requirement that if the victim is a minor and the crime was a sexual offense, the mandatory minimum sentence becomes 14 years (previously applicable only to other cases). This change applies to federal prosecutions under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 3559.

HR 2879, the Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2025, requires the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a comprehensive external review of understaffing within 180 days of enactment. The review, to be done with input from prison unions, civil rights groups, and recidivism reduction organizations, must identify staffing impacts on inmate access to medical care, programming, safety, and staff working conditions. It mandates the Bureau to develop specific staffing guidelines (including officer-to-inmate ratios per unit and non-correctional staff needs) and a 3-year implementation plan to fill vacancies and reduce mandated overtime. The plan must address issues like medical care wait times, security risks, and staff health, with annual progress reports to Congress and the prison union. This bill directly affects over 35,000 Bureau of Prisons employees and the nearly 121,000 individuals in federal custody nationwide.

S 3664, the Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026, requires federal prisons and contracted facilities to submit annual reports after major disasters (like natural events or public health emergencies) detailing impacts on inmates and staff. The reports must include specific data on injuries, access to medical care, food, water, early release decisions, visitation rights, disability accommodations, and facility repair costs. The Bureau of Prisons must also develop a corrective action plan with a timeline to improve emergency preparedness and provide legislative recommendations to Congress. Additionally, the bill amends the National Institute of Corrections to add new expertise requirements for its board members and mandates public hearings on integrating disaster planning into facility operations.

This bill prohibits federal funding for school police officers and establishes a $5 billion grant program to help schools replace law enforcement with mental health professionals like counselors, social workers, and psychologists. It requires schools to eliminate police contracts before receiving funds and mandates that grant money be used for trauma-informed services, restorative justice programs, and evidence-based mental health support instead of punitive discipline. The bill directly affects schools with police presence but insufficient mental health staff, particularly those serving Black, Latino, Native American, and other marginalized students who face racial disparities in school discipline. It aims to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline by shifting resources from law enforcement to supportive services that address students' needs. The legislation includes reporting requirements for schools to track disciplinary practices and demographic data to monitor progress in reducing disparities.

HR 1510, the Due Process Continuity of Care Act, expands Medicaid eligibility to cover individuals in jail or custody while awaiting trial or disposition of charges, at a state's option. This allows states to provide Medicaid benefits to this population without requiring them to be convicted first. The bill provides $50 million in planning grants to states to develop implementation plans, including assessing healthcare needs, recruiting providers (especially for behavioral health and substance use treatment), and creating electronic billing systems for correctional facilities and outpatient providers. States must also consult with stakeholders like jails, providers, and Medicaid advocates before finalizing their plans.

The Election Worker Protection Act of 2025 provides federal grants to states for election worker recruitment, training, and safety. It establishes new criminal penalties for threatening or harassing election workers, with fines up to $100,000 and up to 5 years in prison. The bill creates a grant program to protect election workers' personally identifiable information from public disclosure, including through redaction of personal data in public records. States would receive funding based on their voting age population, with requirements for diversity-focused recruitment and regular reporting on program outcomes.

The PRICE Act (HR 5113) increases penalties for assaulting, resisting, or obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers or employees. It would double the maximum prison sentence and adjust fines for such offenses when the victim is an ICE officer or employee. This bill directly affects individuals who commit violent or obstructive acts against ICE personnel by imposing harsher punishments. The key provision amends federal law to add a specific penalty enhancement for ICE-related cases within existing assault provisions.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would prohibit most solitary confinement in federal prisons and detention centers, requiring all incarcerated people to have at least 14 hours daily of out-of-cell group interaction in shared spaces. It establishes strict limits on when solitary confinement can be used (only for brief counts, emergencies as a last resort, or medical isolation), with specific protections for vulnerable populations including youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The bill creates a community monitoring body to oversee implementation, requires detailed reporting on confinement practices, and provides incentives for states to adopt similar standards through funding adjustments. It also includes due process protections for placement in restrictive housing and prohibits punitive practices like limiting access to services or confiscating personal property.

This bill establishes a 13-member Commission to study the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, and to develop reparation proposals. The Commission will examine the institution of slavery from 1619-1865, discriminatory practices like redlining and Jim Crow, and current disparities in wealth, incarceration, and employment. It will identify evidence of these harms, study their lingering effects, and recommend educational approaches and potential remedies, including compensation calculations and eligibility. The Commission must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of its first meeting. The bill authorizes $12 million for the Commission's work and requires it to terminate 90 days after submitting its report.