Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

passed · United States · Senate Mar 14, 2025

S 960: Justice for Murder Victims Act

S 960, the "Justice for Murder Victims Act," removes the maximum time limit for prosecuting homicide offenses under federal law, allowing prosecutors to file charges regardless of how long passed between the act causing death and the victim's death. However, it limits the death penalty to cases where the victim died within 1 year and 1 day of the act causing death. The bill amends Title 18, U.S. Code, to apply this change to all homicide prosecutions occurring after enactment, while also modifying penalties for first-degree murder to reflect the 1-year-and-1-day time limit for the death penalty. This directly affects federal prosecutors, defendants facing homicide charges, and victims' families seeking justice for delayed prosecutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for homicide prosecutions, enabling justice for victims regardless of time elapsed, aligning with victim rights advocacy in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House Aug 15, 2025

HJRES 115: Terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".

This bill (HJRES 115) terminates a presidential emergency declaration made on August 11, 2025, which claimed a "crime emergency" in Washington, D.C. It directly affects the District of Columbia by ending federal restrictions that prevented D.C. from using $1 billion in locally-raised funds for public safety, law enforcement, fire services, and schools. The resolution cites that the emergency declaration was legally flawed - section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act does not permit federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department - and notes that D.C. violent crime has reached a 30-year low. The bill formally ends the emergency under the DC Home Rule Act, restoring D.C.'s authority over its own budget and public safety resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTerminates federal emergency blocking DC from using local funds for law enforcement/public safety, enabling local resource allocation. Directly advances criminal justice funding autonomy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 520: Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor Stories Act

This bill requires states that mandate licensing training for cosmetologists and barbers to add free, state-approved domestic violence training for license seekers. The training teaches professionals to recognize abuse signs, respond appropriately, and refer clients to victim resources - optionally including sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. States meeting this requirement can receive up to a 10% grant increase for domestic violence programs, with grants renewable for up to three years. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2027-2033) to fund these grants, directly affecting cosmetology/barber license applicants and domestic violence service providers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires domestic violence training for license seekers, funds victim resources via grants, aligns with criminal justice reform by supporting victim services and prevention85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates domestic violence training for service professionals and provides grant incentives for domestic violence programs (public health component), directly supporting victim access to health resources and strengthening public health initia...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HR 3203: Journalist Protection Act

HR 3203, the Journalist Protection Act, creates federal criminal penalties for assaulting journalists during newsgathering. It defines "journalist" broadly to include employees, contractors, or agents of news organizations (like newspapers, websites, TV/radio stations) who gather news for public interest. The bill makes it a crime to intentionally assault a journalist causing bodily injury (up to 3 years in prison) or serious bodily injury (up to 6 years in prison), specifically when the assault occurs while they are reporting or to stop their reporting. This directly affects journalists working across all media formats and anyone who assaults them during legitimate newsgathering activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects journalists' civil rights via federal assault penalties, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like enhanced protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 3665: Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act

S 3665, the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, makes it a federal crime to assault or intimidate crew members on passenger trains, platforms, or in rail stations. It directly affects railroad workers (including engineers, conductors, and safety personnel) and passengers who threaten them, defining "dangerous weapon" to include items like pocket knives under 2.5 inches and box cutters. The law prohibits actions that interfere with crew duties or reduce their ability to perform them, with penalties of up to 8 years in prison for basic offenses and up to 20 years if a dangerous weapon is used. This bill establishes clear legal protections for rail crew members during their work, focusing on preventing physical threats that could compromise safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates federal crime for assaulting train crew, defines dangerous weapons, and sets penalties, advancing public safety and law enforcement under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects railroad workers' safety by criminalizing assaults/intimidation against crew members, directly advancing workplace safety protections for laborers in transportation sector.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProtects rail crew safety, directly enhancing passenger rail transportation safety standards per bill's criminalization of assaults on transit workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Rail

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in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2025

HR 2650: End Gun Violence Act of 2025

This bill prohibits firearm sales or transfers to individuals convicted of a "violent misdemeanor" within the past five years. A "violent misdemeanor" is defined as a state or local offense involving physical force, a deadly weapon, or intent to cause injury - requiring the original conviction to have included legal representation and a jury trial (or valid waiver). The law excludes expunged convictions or pardons unless civil rights restoration explicitly allows firearm possession. It directly affects people with recent violent misdemeanor convictions, blocking their access to firearms under federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for violent misdemeanor offenders, promoting public safety and reducing gun violence - a key criminal justice reform goal. Requires due process in original convictions, protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Firearms Violent Crime

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signed · United States · Senate Sep 16, 2026

S 307: Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act

This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to fully implement all recommendations from a 2023 Inspector General report on inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault within 90 days of enactment. It mandates the Bureau to provide updated data on such incidents from 2022-2025, which the Inspector General must analyze to assess prevention efforts and punishment practices. The Attorney General must then create national standards for preventing, reducing, and punishing these incidents within one year of receiving the analysis. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, including correctional officers, by establishing concrete requirements to improve their safety and address systemic data gaps.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates safety standards for prison staff, enhancing correctional oversight and preventing harm within criminal justice system95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates Bureau of Prisons to implement safety measures against staff sexual harassment/assault, directly improving workplace safety for correctional workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Employment Discrimination

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 2, 2025

S 2686: DC CRIMES Act

This bill limits "youth offender" status in DC to individuals 18 or younger, replacing the previous 24-year age limit. It requires the Attorney General to create a public website publishing monthly, detailed juvenile crime statistics - including arrest numbers broken down by age, race, sex, crime type (like vandalism or violent offenses), first-time vs. repeat offenses, and sentencing outcomes - while prohibiting personally identifiable information. The bill also prohibits the DC Council from changing mandatory minimum sentences or sentencing guidelines during its effective period. These changes directly affect DC youth in the justice system and provide transparency on juvenile crime data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits youth offender status to under 18 (down from 24) and mandates transparent juvenile crime data - promotes reform through age-appropriate treatment and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates DOJ to appoint prosecutors for postal-related crimes, strengthening enforcement of laws protecting postal workers and infrastructure. This advances criminal justice by enhancing prosecution of specific offenses.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects postal workers from assault by requiring DOJ to prosecute crimes against them, directly enhancing workplace safety for employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1726: Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Project Safe Neighborhoods program through fiscal years 2026-2030, extending funding for a nationwide initiative that helps local law enforcement reduce violent crime. It allows agencies to use funds for hiring crime analysts, covering overtime for officers and support staff, and purchasing technology to aid crime reduction efforts. The bill also requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing how funds are spent, community outreach activities, and specific violent crime statistics (like murder and assault) in each program area. The program directly affects law enforcement agencies in all 94 federal judicial districts across all 50 states and territories.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReauthorizes federal funding for law enforcement program, extending government spending on crime reduction initiatives through fiscal years 2026-2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReauthorizes funding for violent crime reduction program, supporting law enforcement resources (analysts, tech) and requiring transparency reports, aligning with criminal justice funding/support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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