Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 3997: Homeland Security Improvement Act

This bill, titled the Homeland Security Improvement Act, creates a new independent commission to oversee border security activities and improve transparency within the Department of Homeland Security. The commission would consist of 30 members appointed by congressional leaders and would include representatives from border communities, civil rights groups, law enforcement, and tribal officials to evaluate policies and make recommendations. The bill also establishes an Ombudsman office to handle complaints from individuals affected by border and immigration enforcement, provides mandatory training for border agents focused on civil rights and community relations, and requires detailed data collection on border stops and enforcement actions to improve accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight and accountability of border security, improves training, and includes civil rights groups, aligning with criminal justice reform and protection of rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing Tags Government Transparency

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 7786: AI Fraud Accountability Act

This bill, known as the AI Fraud Accountability Act, makes it a federal crime to use artificial intelligence or other technology to create realistic digital impersonations of real or fictional people for the purpose of defrauding others of money, documents, or other valuable items. The law applies to communications across state lines and foreign borders, and it allows for criminal penalties including fines and up to three years in prison, along with the forfeiture of assets used to commit the fraud. In addition to criminal provisions, the bill gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive business practices and requires the creation of a working group to develop technical best practices for detecting and preventing digital impersonation fraud. The legislation also establishes mechanisms for international cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies to combat cross-border fraud and includes a safeguard protecting parody, satire, and journalism from being classified as illegal impersonation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new federal crimes for digital impersonation fraud, strengthening law enforcement tools and protecting citizens from fraud through enhanced criminal justice measures.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by criminalizing AI-based impersonation fraud, protecting consumers from digital deception and strengthening digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7718: Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026

This bill updates administrative procedures for the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program to speed up claim processing and expand disability coverage. It requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance to notify claimants about missing information within 90 days and issue interim payments if claims aren't resolved within 270 days, while also mandating annual audits of backlogged claims. The legislation adds benefits for permanent partial disabilities that prevent officers from working in their previous capacity and creates a faster approval process for claims supported by World Trade Center health certifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens support for public safety officers by improving benefits, expediting claims, and ensuring accountability through audits, which protects law enforcement personnel.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands disability coverage and speeds up benefits processing for public safety officers, strengthening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence

Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 496: Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2025

HR 496, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2025, directly affects veterans who were previously flagged for firearm restrictions based on Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations of mental incompetence or fiduciary appointments. The bill requires the VA to notify the Department of Justice within 30 days that its past practice of sharing such veteran information with the national background check system was improper. It also explicitly prohibits treating veterans as "mental defectives" for gun restrictions solely because the VA determined they were mentally incompetent or required a fiduciary under VA regulations. This changes how VA decisions are used in federal firearm background checks, removing an automatic barrier for affected veterans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restores firearm rights to veterans wrongly flagged due to VA determinations, protecting civil rights and correcting improper restrictions on veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRestores Second Amendment rights for veterans unfairly restricted by VA mental incompetence determinations, correcting improper background checks and prohibiting discriminatory 'mental defective' labeling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 7987: CLIMB Act

This bill would allow businesses and financial institutions to provide services to cannabis companies without fear of federal penalties, even though cannabis remains illegal under federal law. It prohibits federal agencies from taking adverse actions against anyone who offers financial products, insurance, legal services, or other business assistance to cannabis-related legitimate businesses operating in states where it is legal. Additionally, the bill would permit national stock exchanges to list and trade securities from cannabis companies by creating a legal safe harbor that protects exchanges and market participants from federal prosecution. The law would take effect 180 days after it is signed into legislation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports cannabis justice reform by protecting businesses serving legal cannabis markets from federal penalties, aligning federal policy with state laws and reducing criminal justice barriers.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 3995: LOCATE Act

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to update the Online Detainee Locator System within six to 12 hours after any significant change in a detainee's custody status, such as transfer, release, or death. The system must include specific details like the detainee's full name, current facility location, and scheduled release or transfer dates. Additionally, the bill mandates that family members or legal representatives be notified within 12 hours of custody events and establishes annual audits by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and accountability in immigration detention by requiring timely updates to detainee information, improving oversight of law enforcement custody practices.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill improves transparency and accountability in immigration detention by requiring timely updates to the Online Detainee Locator System, protecting immigrant rights and family access to information.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4154: Research and Oversight of AI in Courts Act of 2026

This bill establishes the AI Research and Oversight in Courts Task Force to study how artificial intelligence speech-to-text and automatic speech recognition technologies are used in federal and state courts across the United States. The 15-member task force, composed of government officials and independent experts, will assess issues related to accuracy, privacy, civil liberties, and costs associated with these technologies in the judicial system. Within 18 months of enactment, the group must submit a final report to Congress with findings and recommendations on whether these technologies affect court record integrity, alter speech from individuals with accents or speech impediments, and pose cybersecurity risks. The task force will also examine whether court records should include watermarks or metadata to indicate AI involvement and provide guidance on vendor selection for these technologies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates oversight task force to study AI accuracy, privacy, and civil liberties in courts, enhancing judicial integrity and protecting defendant rights.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes task force to study AI speech-to-text in courts, assessing accuracy, privacy, and civil liberties to ensure responsible technology use in judicial system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Track

in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HRES 581: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies.

HRES 581 is a procedural resolution that establishes rules for the House to consider H.R. 185, the Epstein Files Transparency Act. It waives all points of order against the bill, adopts a specific amendment (the full text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act), and limits debate to one hour equally divided between the Judiciary Committee's chair and ranking minority member. The resolution also requires the Attorney General to release unclassified DOJ records related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, with limited exceptions for privacy or national security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes transparency in criminal justice by requiring release of DOJ records related to Jeffrey Epstein, enhancing accountability and oversight within the justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 16, 2026

HR 7136: Special Operator Protection Act of 2026

This bill creates a new federal crime that prohibits knowingly sharing restricted personal information about special operations personnel or their immediate family members with the intent to threaten or intimidate them. The law defines covered persons to include special operations forces members, designated Department of Defense employees, and federal law enforcement officers working with these units, while restricted personal information includes names, photos, home addresses, and biometric data. Anyone who violates this provision could face up to five years in prison, or life imprisonment if the violation leads to death or serious bodily injury. The legislation aims to protect the privacy and safety of these individuals by criminalizing the public release of their sensitive information for malicious purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects law enforcement and special operations personnel by criminalizing threats, enhancing safety for justice system workers.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill protects special operations personnel (veterans) from threats by criminalizing sharing of their personal information, directly strengthening their safety and privacy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 7846: Halo Act

This bill, known as the Halo Act, creates a new federal crime for intentionally approaching or staying within 25 feet of immigration enforcement officers after receiving a verbal warning, if the person intends to interfere with their work, threaten them, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who may attempt to block or disrupt immigration officers performing their duties, such as during arrests or investigations. The law defines harassment as conduct that causes substantial emotional distress to an officer and serves no legitimate purpose, and it carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. This provision adds to existing Title 18 United States Code by establishing specific boundaries for behavior near federal immigration officials.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new federal crime for obstructing immigration enforcement, increasing penalties and restricting individual rights.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill increases federal immigration enforcement penalties and restricts protections for those interacting with immigration officers, aligning with opposition indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track