Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 9236: HAILEY Act of 2026

The HAILEY Act of 2026 amends the PROTECT Act to update the criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts. It allows law enforcement to request these alerts for any missing person under 18 who is considered a high-risk individual, expanding the program beyond its previous focus on child abduction cases. This change applies to police agencies and the national AMBER Alert communication network, ensuring that alerts can be triggered for a broader range of endangered youth. The legislation does not alter the core requirements for issuing an alert but clarifies that the system covers all high-risk missing minors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands AMBER Alerts to high-risk missing youth, enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities within the criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8976: Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act

The Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act aims to improve how the federal justice system treats women by mandating gender-informed training for law enforcement and probation officers, ensuring they understand the unique needs of female justice-involved individuals. The bill requires federal officers to allow arrested parents to arrange care for their children before taking them into custody and establishes grant programs to support these training initiatives and recruit more women into law enforcement. It also introduces significant changes to sentencing and incarceration, such as expanding pretrial diversion options for women with trauma histories, limiting penalties for conspiracy charges, and requiring the Bureau of Prisons to provide specific medical screenings, trauma-informed care, and gender-responsive programming. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to keep families together by allowing temporary releases to maintain community ties, updating custody laws to preserve parental rights, and ensuring that reentry programs are tailored to the specific challenges women face upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates gender-informed training and supports reform by addressing unique needs of female justice-involved individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 4696: 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 officers in public spaces, while explicitly stating that this right does not apply if a person physically restrains an officer. The bill creates a new cause of action allowing individuals to sue both the officer and the United States government for civil damages, including up to $25,000 per violation and up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the violation was committed with malice or reckless disregard. It defines specific prohibited actions such as arresting, ticketing, or intimidating someone for recording, and mandates that federal agencies provide annual training to officers on respecting these rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a right to record police and creates a cause of action for civil damages, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8916: CHIERS Act of 2026

The CHIERS Act of 2026 authorizes federal grants to help individuals with substance use disorders reach treatment and supportive services by covering transportation costs. Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and health centers that will use the funds to provide rides, purchase vehicles, or pay for taxi services for these individuals. The program specifically targets people experiencing homelessness or living in low-income areas where travel barriers limit access to care, while explicitly excluding involuntary treatment transport and law enforcement use. To ensure effectiveness, grant recipients must submit detailed plans and performance reports focused on reducing missed appointments, and the funding is designed to supplement rather than replace existing local resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds transportation to treatment for substance use disorders, aiding rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, which supports criminal justice reform.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes federal grants to cover transportation costs for substance use disorder treatment, improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes federal grants to fund transportation services for individuals with substance use disorders, directly supporting the transportation topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9071: Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026

The Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against exploiting individuals under 18 by expanding the definition of prohibited conduct to include engaging in or soliciting commercial sex acts with minors. It removes the legal requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion when the victim is a minor and establishes that a defendant's lack of knowledge about the victim's age is not a valid defense if they had a reasonable opportunity to observe them. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement officers posing as minors cannot use this as a defense against prosecution and increases the minimum prison sentence to 15 years for offenses involving victims under 14. These changes apply to actions taken 180 days after the law is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens federal laws against exploiting minors by removing the requirement to prove force or coercion, thereby enhancing protection and law enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9078: LEASH Act of 2026

The LEASH Act of 2026 requires law enforcement agencies seeking federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grants to report data on felony animal cruelty convictions, including the names of those convicted. To qualify for these grants, local governments must submit information on such crimes to the Attorney General and join a specific category of jurisdictions that provide this data. The bill also mandates the creation of a publicly accessible database by the Attorney General to store and periodically update these animal cruelty records. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies and local governments that apply for federal crime prevention funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating data reporting on animal cruelty convictions, enhancing transparency and accountability for law enforcement agencies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9059: National Police Athletic/Activities League Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act

This bill, titled the National Police Athletic/Activities League Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act, provides federal funding to expand youth programs run by the National Police Athletic/Activities League. The legislation authorizes $16 million annually from 2028 to 2032 to help the organization establish 250 new chapters in distressed areas and expand existing ones to serve more children. Grant funds must be used for after-school activities that include mentorship, academic support, sports, and training to prevent drug use and gang involvement. The program is designed to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and youth while offering alternatives to risky behaviors in communities with high numbers of at-risk children. Recipients of the funds are required to submit reports on their progress and ensure that local communities help design the specific activities offered.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds youth enrichment programs to reduce at-risk behavior, supporting crime prevention and community safety.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides federal funding for youth programs including academic support and mentorship in schools.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8932: Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026

The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 establishes a temporary United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate the rising number of bias-motivated incidents and improve how they are reported. The ten-member commission, appointed by congressional leaders and the Attorney General, will examine factors like social media's role in hate crimes and identify barriers preventing local law enforcement from fully participating in federal reporting systems. Within one year of its formation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with findings and recommendations for better prevention and data collection. Additionally, the bill requires an independent audit by the Government Accountability Office to verify the accuracy of hate crime data collected by the FBI.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a commission to investigate hate crimes and improve reporting, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2026

HR 9155: CONSENT Act

The CONSENT Act establishes a federal civil remedy for individuals who receive unsolicited intimate visual depictions, such as non-consensual deepfakes, sent via interstate commerce. It defines consent as a voluntary authorization free from coercion and specifically prohibits the transmission of intimate digital forgeries created using artificial intelligence or other technological means. Victims can sue senders for up to $1,000 in statutory damages, emotional distress compensation, and court-ordered injunctions to stop the behavior, while also allowing minors to file under a pseudonym for privacy. The law explicitly excludes good faith transmissions for medical, educational, or law enforcement purposes and states that it does not override existing criminal laws or First Amendment rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a federal civil remedy for non-consensual intimate imagery, enhancing victim protection and accountability within the justice system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and digital rights by establishing civil remedies against non-consensual deepfakes and regulating harmful AI-generated content.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2026

S 4643: LEO K9 Protection Act

The LEO K9 Protection Act strengthens penalties for harming law enforcement dogs and horses used in official duties, increasing the maximum prison sentence to 15 years. It clarifies that these protections apply to animals assisting federal, state, and local agencies in tasks like crime detection, search and rescue, and military operations, while explicitly exempting individuals acting in good faith to provide emergency veterinary care. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to create guidelines and regulations allowing emergency medical personnel to treat injured police dogs at the scene and transport them to veterinary facilities. These measures aim to ensure that injured working dogs receive timely medical attention comparable to that provided to human officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for harming law enforcement animals, protecting assets used in official duties and enhancing criminal justice enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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