Criminal Justice across the country

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

SD 4102: Drug Rehab, Drug Education & Neighborhood Crime Watch Trust Fund

Report of the Cape and Islands District Attorney (pursuant of Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2026 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reports on funding for drug rehab and education via a law enforcement trust fund, directly supporting criminal justice reform and community safety programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 3, 2026

S 5214: Protect and Serve Act of 2026

The Protect and Serve Act of 2026 creates a new federal crime for willfully attempting to kill a law enforcement officer solely because of their status, provided the act involves interstate travel, commerce, weapons, or affects economic activity. This law applies to both state and federal officers and mandates that any federal prosecution must be certified by the Attorney General, who must determine if state charges were insufficient or if federal intervention serves the public interest. The bill defines a law enforcement officer as anyone authorized to prevent, detect, or investigate crimes, or to detain individuals, and sets specific prison terms ranging from years to life depending on whether the attempt results in serious bodily injury.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a federal crime to protect law enforcement officers, enhancing their safety and strengthening the justice system's ability to prosecute attacks on officers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Sponsor Thom Tillis (R) · 3 co-sponsors

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4983: Harry Reid Immigration Stabilization Act

This bill, the Harry Reid Immigration Stabilization Act, establishes a comprehensive framework to reduce overall immigration numbers, reform asylum procedures, increase penalties for criminal behavior, and enhance border security measures. It directly affects immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, employers, and law enforcement agencies by setting strict caps on family and employment-based visas, requiring a 30-day filing deadline for asylum applications, and expanding the definition of aggravated felonies to include a wider range of crimes. Key mechanisms include mandating that employers verify work eligibility through a telephone verification system, creating a new border crossing fee, and requiring states to verify immigration status to receive certain federal benefits. Additionally, the legislation introduces stricter rules for criminal aliens facing expedited deportation, increases penalties for alien smuggling, and clarifies citizenship requirements for children born to non-citizen parents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly increases penalties for criminal behavior and expands definitions of aggravated crimes, directly strengthening criminal justice enforcement.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts immigration by capping visas, tightening asylum deadlines, and increasing penalties.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts employment-based visas and tightens asylum rules, limiting legal pathways for workers and potentially reducing labor supply.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Border Security Enforcement Work Authorization

Sponsor Bernie Moreno (R) · 2 co-sponsors

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

GM 1364: Informing the Legislature that on July 15, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2851 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 261).

This bill requires Hawaii to add a special designation to the vehicle registration of deaf drivers to alert law enforcement officers during electronic checks. The system will display an international symbol for deafness or a specific code when an officer accesses the vehicle's information, helping to prevent dangerous misunderstandings during traffic stops. To qualify for this designation, a driver must provide certification from a licensed medical professional confirming their hearing loss meets specific decibel thresholds. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, and restricts access to this information to authorized personnel only.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability and safety during traffic stops for deaf drivers, reducing dangerous misunderstandings and supporting civil rights.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by preventing dangerous misunderstandings during traffic stops for deaf drivers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Vehicle Registration

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1355: Informing the Legislature that on July 14, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB888 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 253).

This bill prohibits companies that make smart home security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless specific conditions are met. Data sharing is only allowed if the user gives written consent, a judge issues a warrant, or an immediate emergency involving imminent death or serious bodily harm exists. The law also bans companies from forcing users to agree to data sharing as a requirement to use their devices. Violations of these rules can result in penalties and legal action by the state attorney general, but private individuals cannot sue under this specific section.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts warrantless data sharing by police and requires user consent, enhancing privacy and police accountability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy and consumer rights by restricting unauthorized data sharing by tech companies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1339: Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2568 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 237).

This bill, signed into law as Act 237, strengthens legal protections for public servants in Hawaii by creating a specific misdemeanor offense for harassment directed at them during their official duties. It directly affects government employees, law enforcement officers, and anyone subject to threats or harassment while performing their jobs. The key provision amends existing harassment laws to ensure that acts intended to disrupt public service are treated more seriously than general harassment, addressing concerns that current penalties were insufficient to deter such behavior. By elevating these specific threats to a misdemeanor, the law aims to provide clearer legal recourse and better safeguard the safety and effectiveness of public service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens legal protections for public servants and law enforcement by creating a specific misdemeanor for harassment, enhancing accountability and safety within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens legal protections for public servants by creating specific misdemeanor offenses for harassment during official duties, directly advancing worker safety and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1297: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1682 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 195).

This bill establishes a new legal framework in Hawaii allowing individuals to sue for civil damages if their private intimate images are shared without consent. It defines intimate images as photos or videos showing a person in a state of undress or engaged in sexual conduct and protects these images even if they were taken in public places, provided the person did not agree to the exposure. The law creates specific exceptions where sharing is allowed, such as for law enforcement, medical treatment, reporting illegal activity, or matters of public interest. Additionally, parents and guardians are generally shielded from liability for sharing images of their children unless the sharing was explicitly prohibited by other laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes civil remedies for non-consensual intimate image sharing, enhancing privacy protections and accountability, which aligns with supporting civil rights within the criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9860: Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026

The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026 requires the President to publicly explain the reasons for any pardon, commutation, reprieve, or fine remission in the Federal Register and on the official White House website. It also mandates that the Pardon Attorney prepare a Justice Impact Statement within 30 days, which must include victim statements and input from law enforcement officials regarding the potential impact on ongoing investigations. Additionally, the bill expands lobbying disclosure rules to require immediate registration and reporting for any lobbying efforts related to seeking executive clemency, regardless of the amount of money involved. Finally, the Pardon Attorney will conduct annual studies on how well the government follows these new transparency requirements and report the findings to Congress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and accountability in executive clemency, requiring victim input and law enforcement consultation to protect justice integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

Sponsor Dave Min (D) · 1 co-sponsor

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9887: Swatting Registry Best Practices Act

This bill directs the Attorney General to create guidance for local and state governments on establishing voluntary registries for individuals at risk of receiving false emergency calls, commonly known as swatting. The guidance will outline best practices for data privacy, secure technology integration, and training law enforcement to use registry information to de-escalate dangerous situations without mandating a federal registry. Additionally, the bill allows the Justice Department to provide technical assistance and funding to help communities implement these safety measures while ensuring that participation remains optional and that officer safety is not compromised.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability and public safety by establishing best practices for swatting registries, reducing false emergency calls and improving law enforcement response.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data privacy protections and secure technology integration for emergency registries, enhancing cybersecurity and digital safety.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

Sponsor James R. Walkinshaw (D) · 1 co-sponsor

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5109: Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act of 2026

This bill allows rural law enforcement agencies with fewer than 50 officers to receive free training grants from the Department of Justice. Instead of applying directly, these agencies can pool their funding with neighboring departments to hire accredited nonprofit organizations to deliver the training. The program specifically covers topics such as de-escalation, officer wellness, leadership, and handling situations involving mental health crises or domestic violence. By simplifying the application process and removing reporting burdens, the legislation aims to help smaller agencies access resources they previously lacked.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides funding for officer training in de-escalation, wellness, and mental health, enhancing police accountability and community safety.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds training for law enforcement on mental health crises and officer wellness, indirectly supporting public health and safety.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Mental Health Tags Rural Communities

Sponsor James Lankford (R) · 1 co-sponsor

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