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Issue · Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice across the country

Every criminal justice bill from all 50 state legislatures and Congress, introduced in the last 12 weeks and automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

Total bills
12
last 12 weeks
Active states
2
jurisdictions with bills
Most active
United States
11 bills
Stance split
12 for 0 against
National trend

Bills introduced per week

12-week window
Jul 13 Sep 28
Showing 1–10 of 12 bills

All criminal justice bills

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 23, 2026

SRES 880: A resolution requesting information on the Commonwealth of Dominica's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

This Senate resolution requests that the Secretary of State provide a detailed report to congressional committees within 30 days regarding human rights practices in the Commonwealth of Dominica. The report must specifically address the treatment of non-citizens who have been removed from the United States to Dominica, including allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, and trafficking. It also requires an assessment of U.S. government actions taken to promote human rights, evaluate security assistance risks, and ensure compliance with court orders for the return of individuals.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill requests a report on human rights practices, including allegations of arbitrary detention and torture, for non-citizens removed to Dominica, which aligns with protecting civil rights within criminal justice.75% confidence
Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking
Tim Kaine (D)
in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HR 10389: Survivor’s Voice Protection Act

The Survivor's Voice Protection Act makes nondisclosure clauses unenforceable if they prevent victims of sexual abuse or others from disclosing facts related to such abuse, a rule that applies retroactively to contracts signed before the law is enacted. The bill also requires fiduciaries, such as guardians or trustees, to report suspected grooming behavior to law enforcement within 90 to 180 days of learning about it. Victims who suffer harm due to a fiduciary's failure to report can sue for damages in federal court, and state attorneys general may also bring civil actions on behalf of their residents.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill enhances victim protection and mandates reporting of suspected grooming, which strengthens legal avenues for victims and improves accountability within the criminal justice system by ensuring crimes are reported.80% confidence
Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Victims' Rights
James Comer (R) · 4 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HR 10397: Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026

The Survivors' Rights Restitution Act of 2026 establishes a federal compensation program administered by the Attorney General for victims of sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, or exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as victims whose rights were violated by the federal government. Petitions are filed with the United States Court of Federal Claims and assigned to special adjudicators who must be mental health professionals or experts in victim services, civil rights law, or claims administration. The process is designed to be informal and less adversarial than standard litigation, with decisions required within 120 days and a minimum compensation award of $123,000. Compensation is funded by a dedicated Treasury account that accepts forfeited assets and voluntary contributions, and payments are exempt from federal income tax and means-tested benefit calculations.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill establishes a federal compensation program, directly impacting government spending and fiscal management to fund restitution for victims.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill establishes a federal compensation program for victims of sexual assault and other crimes, addressing victim rights and restitution within the criminal justice system.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill establishes a compensation program for victims of sexual assault and exploitation and requires adjudicators to be mental health professionals or victim services experts, indicating support for mental health and victim support within healt...75% confidence
Sub-Topics Income Tax Civil Rights Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Mental Health
Ayanna Pressley (D) · 45 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · House Sep 14, 2026

HR 10368: Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2026

The Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2026 requires the Transportation Security Administration to designate a specific employee as a Trafficking Survivor Point of Contact at every airport where it conducts passenger screening. These designated officials are tasked with coordinating with nonprofit organizations that support trafficking survivors, helping them navigate security procedures, and ensuring individuals are treated with trauma-informed care during their travel. The bill specifically addresses the challenge of traveling without standard identification documents by allowing service providers to request assistance for verifying a survivor's identity through existing TSA programs. Additionally, the law mandates that the government waive any fees associated with this identity verification process and requires the publication of clear online information about how survivors can access these services.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill establishes a point of contact at airports to assist human trafficking survivors, providing trauma-informed care and coordinating with support organizations. This indirectly supports criminal justice by aiding victims of crime.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationThe bill mandates the TSA to designate Trafficking Survivor Points of Contact at airports, which enhances the experience and safety of a specific group of travelers within the transportation system.75% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Airports
Susie Lee (D) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · United States · House Sep 16, 2026

HR 10426: Backlog Justice Act of 2026

The Backlog Justice Act of 2026 aims to reduce the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits by requiring the Attorney General to create a public database tracking inventory levels and laboratory processing times across state and local jurisdictions. To address staffing shortages, the bill authorizes the FBI to develop training programs for forensic analysts and DNA technical leaders, allowing states and localities to hire individuals who have completed this federal training. Additionally, it funds a program for the FBI to collaborate with state and local providers on validating new DNA processing technologies and sharing related protocols. The legislation also provides increased grant funding to states that implement electronic tracking systems allowing sexual assault survivors to monitor the status of their evidence kits from collection through final disposition.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill aims to reduce the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits and addresses staffing shortages for forensic analysts, which directly strengthens the criminal justice system's ability to process evidence and improve justice.90% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime
Emanuel Cleaver (D) · 19 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HJRES 216: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

H.J. Res. 216 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. The resolution would amend the Constitution to explicitly state that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed on anyone as a penalty for criminal conduct. This change would directly affect incarcerated individuals by prohibiting forced labor practices within the criminal justice system, while clarifying that voluntary work programs and community service alternatives remain permissible.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProposes constitutional amendment to ban involuntary servitude as punishment, directly advancing criminal justice reform and protecting inmate rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor for prisoners, directly strengthening protections against exploitative labor practices.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking
Nikema Williams (D) · 54 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · Senate Sep 15, 2026

SJRES 214: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would explicitly prohibit using slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. The bill seeks to remove the exception in the 13th Amendment that currently allows such practices within the criminal justice system. If ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, this change would directly affect incarcerated individuals by banning forced labor as a sentence. The text clarifies that the amendment does not prevent voluntary work programs or community service alternatives for those in correctional institutions.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProposes constitutional amendment to ban involuntary servitude as punishment, directly advancing criminal justice reform and protecting incarcerated rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor for prisoners, directly strengthening worker protections and banning exploitative employment practices.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking
Jeff Merkley (D) · 12 co-sponsors
in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 2752: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for asset forfeiture.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2752 amends state criminal law to mandate the seizure of assets from individuals convicted of human trafficking offenses. The bill requires courts to order the forfeiture of any property used in the crime or derived from its proceeds, ensuring these assets are transferred to local district attorneys or the state Attorney General for sale. A key provision establishes that funds recovered through this process must be prioritized for victim restitution before being distributed to law enforcement agencies or other government bodies. This legislation directly affects convicted traffickers by expanding the scope of their financial penalties and aims to ensure victims receive compensation from the illicit gains of the offenders.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating asset forfeiture for human trafficking convictions and prioritizing victim restitution.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Victims' Rights
Danilo Burgos (D) · 15 co-sponsors
in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5129: PROTECT Act of 2026

The PROTECT Act of 2026 requires online platforms that host user-generated content to verify the identity and age of anyone uploading pornographic images, ensuring all individuals depicted are at least 18 years old. To comply, platforms must obtain explicit written consent from every person shown in an image for both the specific sexual acts performed and the distribution of that image, using standardized forms approved by the Attorney General. The law imposes civil penalties and criminal prison sentences for users and platforms that fail to meet these verification and consent requirements.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by imposing stricter penalties and verification requirements to combat child sexual exploitation and protect victims.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes strict identity verification and consent requirements on platforms, restricting their ability to host user-generated content and limiting digital expression.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Online Safety Social Media
Mike Lee (R)
in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5192: Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2026

The Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2026 requires the Transportation Security Administration to create a dedicated role called a Trafficking Survivor Point of Contact at airports nationwide. This position is designed to help nonprofit organizations that assist human trafficking victims navigate security screenings and travel procedures for individuals who lack proper identification documents. Under the bill, these contacts would work with service providers to verify identities in a trauma-informed manner, accompany survivors through security checkpoints, and waive specific identity verification fees. The law also mandates that the TSA publish online information about these services and ensures that designated contacts receive training on human trafficking and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill aids trafficking survivors, a vulnerable group often impacted by criminal justice failures, by improving access to services and travel.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates a dedicated role to assist trafficking survivors, many of whom lack proper ID, navigating security screenings and travel procedures, thereby providing essential services and protection.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates TSA to create a dedicated role to assist trafficking survivors with airport security and travel procedures, enhancing accessibility and safety for vulnerable travelers.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Human Trafficking
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) · 1 co-sponsor
Showing 1 to 10 of 12 bills
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