Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2026

HR 7709: Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to buy or use full-body restraints, which are devices that immobilize individuals. It directly affects DHS personnel and operations by banning the acquisition and utilization of four-point and five-point restraints. The law includes penalties for violations, such as removal from federal service for officers who break the rules or deceive leadership about them. DHS must also submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing compliance status and any instances where restraints were used, including specific information about the individuals restrained and the circumstances involved. Existing contracts for these restraints made before the bill's enactment are exempt from the ban.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts use of full-body restraints by DHS, enhancing civil rights protections and police accountability within criminal justice framework85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 4121: Vote Without Fear Act

This bill, known as the Vote Without Fear Act, would make it a federal crime to knowingly possess a firearm inside or within 100 yards of a Federal election site, such as a polling place or ballot counting location. The law applies to anyone who is aware or has reason to believe they are near such a site, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel on duty, vehicles where firearms remain inside, and lawful possession on private property. Violations of the basic possession rule could result in fines or up to one year in prison, while possessing a firearm with intent to use it in a crime carries a potential sentence of up to five years. The bill also increases penalties for any homicides or conspiracies involving firearms at these election sites.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by prohibiting firearm possession near federal election sites, enhancing public safety and protecting voting rights through increased security measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7719: SOS Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Securing Our Streets Act of 2026, directs the Attorney General to distribute federal grants to states that implement specific criminal justice policies aimed at reducing repeat offenses. To qualify for funding, states must adopt laws requiring repeat offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences, mandate pretrial detention for violent offenders posing a clear threat to public safety, and impose life imprisonment for individuals convicted of three distinct violent crimes. The grants, totaling up to $10 billion over five years, can only be used to build secure correctional facilities, expand incarceration capacity for violent offenders, and train correctional staff.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates harsher sentencing requirements including 85% sentence service, pretrial detention mandates, and life imprisonment for repeat violent offenders, restricting judicial discretion and reducing rehabilitation opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3945: Tribal Police Department Parity Act

This bill, known as the Tribal Police Department Parity Act, would extend existing federal firearms access laws to Tribal law enforcement agencies, ensuring they have the same authority as Federal, State, and local agencies. The legislation amends Title 18 of the United States Code to explicitly include Indian Tribes and their departments in provisions related to machinegun transfers and the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession, and importation of firearms and ammunition. It also modifies the Internal Revenue Code to apply tax exemptions for firearms transfers to Tribal entities on the same basis as State governments. These changes would allow Tribal police departments to legally access and use firearms under the same federal regulations that currently apply to other law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends federal firearms access laws to Tribal law enforcement, strengthening their capacity to enforce laws and protect communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 7764: National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026

This bill transfers the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis to the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement. The change aims to better align the program's funding and management with its primary mission of supporting state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement partners in identifying and preventing targeted violence. Under the bill, the transfer must be completed within 180 days, and the program will no longer use National Intelligence Program funds after the move. The Department of Homeland Security must also submit regular reports on the transfer progress and funding adjustments to Congress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill transfers threat evaluation program to state/local law enforcement, strengthening support for law enforcement partners in preventing targeted violence.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Mar 2, 2026

HR 7752: Kelsey Smith Act

This bill, known as the Kelsey Smith Act, would require telecommunications service providers to share location data with law enforcement or public safety answering points during emergency situations. It directly affects phone and internet service providers, law enforcement officers, and individuals whose location information might be disclosed. The key provision allows officers to request location data without delay if the device was used to contact emergency services in the past 48 hours or if there is reasonable suspicion of an emergency involving risk of death or serious physical harm. The bill also establishes requirements for obtaining consent from subscribers or their next of kin, with a defined priority order for determining next of kin when consent is needed. Additionally, law enforcement agencies must maintain records of these requests, and the bill does not exempt providers from complying with applicable state laws regarding location information disclosure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances emergency response capabilities by requiring telecom providers to share location data with law enforcement, improving public safety and emergency assistance effectiveness.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill requires mandatory location data sharing with law enforcement, weakening individual privacy protections and data security for telecommunications users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Telecommunications Tags Public Safety

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 4029: A bill to reinforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 by establishing a limitations period of 10 years for antibribery offenses, and for other purposes.

This bill would extend the time limit for prosecuting foreign bribery offenses under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act from the current standard to 10 years. It directly affects individuals and companies accused of bribing foreign officials by giving prosecutors more time to build cases. The law would apply to all such offenses committed after the bill's enactment, except those occurring within five years before the law takes effect. The provision includes a sunset clause, meaning it would expire eight years after being enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by extending prosecution time limits for foreign bribery, enhancing accountability and enforcement capabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 16, 2026

HR 7939: Say No to Warrantless Searches Act

This bill, titled the Say No to Warrantless Searches Act, would require federal immigration enforcement officers to obtain a judicial warrant before searching private property. It directly affects law enforcement officers conducting immigration enforcement activities and individuals whose property might be searched. The law allows exceptions for situations where consent is given or when there are urgent circumstances requiring immediate action. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these new protections apply only to enforcement actions taken after the law is enacted, not to past searches.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects Fourth Amendment rights during immigration enforcement, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil liberties within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects immigrant rights by requiring judicial warrants for property searches during immigration enforcement, limiting arbitrary searches and protecting Fourth Amendment rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Apr 2, 2025

HR 2604: Protecting Data at the Border Act

The Protecting Data at the Border Act requires U.S. border agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before accessing the digital contents of electronic devices belonging to U.S. persons at the border. It prohibits denying entry or delaying entry based on a refusal to provide access credentials, digital content, or online account information, and limits border agents to four hours to determine if a U.S. person will voluntarily provide access. The bill mandates written consent with clear notice of rights for voluntary data access, requires destruction of improperly accessed data, and includes emergency exceptions for immediate threats to life, national security, or public safety. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to report annually on how often border agents access digital data and under what circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by requiring warrants for digital device searches at borders, enhancing oversight of law enforcement actions and limiting arbitrary searches.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProtects U.S. persons (including documented immigrants) by requiring warrant for digital border searches and prohibiting entry denial for refusal to provide access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for border device searches, protecting user data privacy at borders - directly aligns with privacy protections in tech policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Border Security

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in committee · United States · House Mar 12, 2026

HR 7916: CODIS Access Modernization Act

This bill, known as the CODIS Access Modernization Act, would allow accredited private forensic DNA laboratories to directly upload DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, which is currently restricted to government-run labs. The legislation requires private labs to meet the same quality standards as public facilities, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and regular FBI audits, while prohibiting them from searching or retrieving DNA data from the system. The Department of Justice and FBI would establish specific regulations within six months of enactment to define eligibility criteria and security safeguards for this new access. The primary goal is to reduce DNA testing backlogs and speed up criminal investigations by expanding the number of facilities that can contribute directly to the national DNA database.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances forensic DNA capabilities, improving evidence collection and case resolution in criminal justice system85% confidence

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