Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3803: Right to Redress Act

S 3803, the Right to Redress Act, allows individuals to request a jury trial when filing civil claims against the U.S. government for property damage, personal injury, or death caused by negligent or wrongful acts of federal law enforcement officers during official duties. It directly affects people harmed by federal officers (such as FBI agents or border patrol agents) while they are performing their jobs. The bill adds a new provision (28 U.S.C. § 2675(d)) requiring courts to provide jury trials for these specific claims upon the claimant's request. This changes the existing process by giving claimants a choice between administrative review or a jury trial, while clarifying that "federal law enforcement officer" includes agents and employees authorized to enforce federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables jury trials for civil claims against federal law enforcement for negligence, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 768: Invest to Protect Act of 2025

The Invest to Protect Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to support local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 officers. Eligible communities - including counties, municipalities, and Tribal governments - can use funds for de-escalation training, mental health and domestic violence response training, officer retention bonuses, graduate education stipends, and access to behavioral health services for officers. The program requires grantees to report on outcomes and publicly disclose bonus amounts, with strict audit requirements to prevent misuse of funds. It authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to advance these concrete safety and support initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates federal grant program funding law enforcement training, retention, and mental health services, directly advancing government spending on public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds de-escalation training, mental health response, and officer wellness programs - directly advancing reform goals like reducing use-of-force incidents and improving accountability.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds behavioral health services for officers, directly supporting mental health care access per bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides funding for law enforcement officer retention bonuses, mental health training, and behavioral health services, improving workplace safety and benefits for this worker group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 1188: Police CAMERA Act of 2025

HR 1188 establishes a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies purchase body-worn cameras and implement camera programs. To qualify for funding, agencies must adopt public policies on camera use, secure data storage, privacy protections, and strict limits on facial recognition technology (requiring judicial authorization for its use). The bill mandates collecting and reporting demographic data on use-of-force incidents (by race, gender, etc.) and prohibits sharing footage without legal justification. It allocates $30 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, with requirements for public policy access, data security, and annual reporting to the federal government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes federal grant program for law enforcement camera programs, directly increasing government spending on public safety initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras, demographic use-of-force data, and limits facial recognition to enhance police accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly imposes strict limits on facial recognition technology use, requiring judicial authorization and prioritizing privacy protections over unrestricted tech deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2025

S 1316: Strong Communities Act of 2025

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 creates a new federal grant program to fund law enforcement training for officers and recruits. Local police departments and sheriff's offices can receive grants to send officers to training programs at eligible colleges or police departments, with the requirement that officers serve at least 4 years in their local community after training. To qualify, officers must live within specific distances (7 or 20 miles) of their long-term residence (5+ years) and provide proof of employment. The program requires annual reports to Congress detailing grant recipients, training participants, and retention rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates federal grants for law enforcement training, directly funding officer development to strengthen community policing efforts within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 3824: State Authority to Protect Civil Rights

This bill amends federal laws (Sections 241 and 242 of Title 18, U.S. Code) to allow state attorneys general to file civil lawsuits in federal court when residents suffer harm from rights violations. Specifically, it permits state AGs to sue on behalf of affected residents (as "parens patriae") if they believe someone experienced bodily injury, serious injury, or death due to conspiracy or deprivation of rights under color of law. The bill enables courts to grant relief like injunctions or damages if the defendant acted maliciously, oppressively, or recklessly. It directly affects state attorneys general and residents who experience such rights violations. The changes expand state enforcement authority under existing federal civil rights laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill empowers state AGs to sue for rights violations under color of law, directly enhancing police accountability and civil rights protections within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HR 3178: Save Healthcare Workers Act

HR 3178, the Save Healthcare Workers Act, creates a new federal crime for assaulting hospital staff while they are performing their duties, with penalties including fines and up to 10 years in prison (up to 20 years for aggravated cases involving weapons or injuries). The bill directly affects hospital employees - including nurses, doctors, and support staff - across all covered facilities (such as emergency rooms, long-term care centers, and children’s hospitals) by criminalizing violence that disrupts patient care. It also establishes a $25 million annual grant program (2025-2034) to help hospitals implement safety measures like staff de-escalation training, security technology, and coordination with local law enforcement. These provisions aim to address workplace violence in healthcare settings, which the bill cites as a growing problem affecting service delivery and staff retention.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new federal crime with enhanced penalties (up to 10 years) for assaulting healthcare workers, directly strengthening criminal justice enforcement for this specific offense.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare workers from violence, ensuring safer environments for patient care delivery and strengthening healthcare system stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCriminalizes assault on healthcare workers, directly protecting workplace safety rights for nurses, doctors, and staff in covered facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Long-Term Care

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 3731: Cost of Police Misconduct Act of 2026

This bill requires federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies receiving Byrne JAG funding to collect and report detailed data on settlements and judgments related to officer misconduct. Agencies must track specifics like the type of misconduct (e.g., use of force, racial profiling), demographics of involved officers and civilians, settlement amounts, funding sources, and personnel actions. The Attorney General will compile this data into a public, searchable database and issue annual reports with recommendations for reducing misconduct. Non-compliant state/local agencies face up to a 10% reduction in Byrne JAG funding. The bill mandates a GAO study after two years of data collection to analyze trends and costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in police misconduct data collection, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 28, 2025

S 285: Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025

The Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025 requires that the Crime Victims Fund - used to support victims of crime, particularly child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence - be maintained at or above a three-year average funding level in annual appropriations bills. It adds a procedural rule in both the Senate and House to block any provision that would reduce the fund below this average, unless the reduction is under $2 billion. This rule aims to prevent Congress from withholding funds collected from convicted criminals (which have historically been underdisbursed, with over $10 billion withheld since 2000) and ensures consistent funding for victim services. The bill does not alter the fund’s purpose but enforces existing law by requiring full disbursement of collected funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents funding cuts to Crime Victims Fund, ensuring minimum annual appropriations for essential victim services per bill's procedural rule.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMaintains funding for crime victim services (child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence), directly supporting victim protection within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4040: SALONS Stories Act

HR 4040, the SALONS Stories Act, increases federal grants for states that require cosmetologists and barbers to complete free domestic violence prevention training as part of their licensing process. This training, provided by anti-domestic violence nonprofits, teaches professionals to recognize signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and refer clients to support resources. States with such laws can receive up to a 10% grant increase under the Omnibus Crime Control Act, with funding capped at $5 million annually from 2026-2032. The bill directly affects states implementing this training mandate, beauty industry professionals, and domestic violence survivors seeking help during salon services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates domestic violence prevention training for cosmetologists/barbers via state licensing, aligning with criminal justice reform through early intervention and victim support under Omnibus Crime Control Act funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal grants for states requiring domestic violence prevention training for cosmetologists and barbers, supporting mental health and public health initiatives by improving recognition of abuse signs and referrals to support resour...75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety by requiring domestic violence prevention training for cosmetologists and barbers, protecting workers from potential harm and improving workplace security.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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in committee · United States · House Apr 7, 2025

HR 2668: DART Act of 2025

HR 2668, the DART Act of 2025, expands federal funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to support state and local diversion and rehabilitation programs instead of incarceration. It allows JAG funds to cover pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation services, directly affecting local justice systems and individuals facing the criminal justice system. The bill creates a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share evidence-based practices, provide technical assistance, and promote trauma-informed approaches. These changes aim to reduce recidivism by addressing root causes like addiction and mental health, shifting focus from incarceration to treatment and community-based solutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands JAG funding for diversion/rehab instead of incarceration, directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation programs and reducing reliance on incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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