Criminal Justice across the country

introduced · Ohio · House Aug 12, 2026

HB 992: Prohibit cruelty to certain horses

To amend sections 959.132 and 959.99 and to enact section 959.135 of the Revised Code to prohibit a person from committing acts of cruelty against certain horses that interact with humans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal law to prohibit horse cruelty, strengthening legal protections and enforcement mechanisms within the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sponsor Monica Blasdel (R)

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Aug 10, 2026

S 10676: Prohibits operators of a website, application, software, program, or service from allowing users to nudify a still or video image

Prohibits operators of a website, application, software, program, or service from allowing users to nudify a still or video image; prohibits advertising or promoting websites, applications, software, programs, or services that allow users to nudify a still or video image; provides an exception when technical skill is required to nudify an image; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions; establishes the nudification prohibition recoveries services fund to provide grants to support the direct needs of victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes non-consensual image manipulation and funds victim recovery services, strengthening law enforcement capabilities and protecting civil rights.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Sponsor Michelle Hinchey (D)

Track

died · Mississippi · Senate Jul 16, 2026

SB 2003: Youth court reform; FY2027 additional appropriation for.

Mississippi Senate Bill 2003 appropriates an additional $29.5 million in state funds for fiscal year 2027 to support youth justice system reforms. The Department of Human Services will receive $12 million from the Capital Expense Fund to renovate and expand the Oakley Youth Development Center, along with $7.5 million from the State General Fund to establish statewide diversion programs for juveniles. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety is allocated $10 million from the Capital Expense Fund to acquire, renovate, or lease new secured detention facilities in both North and South Mississippi.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill explicitly appropriates $29.5M in state funds for youth justice reforms and facility expansion, directly advancing government spending.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds youth justice reforms, facility renovations, and diversion programs, directly advancing criminal justice system improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Courts Juvenile Justice

Sponsor Briggs Hopson (R)

Track

signed · Mississippi · Senate Jul 17, 2026

SB 2001: The Mississippi Youth Court Reform Act of 2026; enact.

The Mississippi Youth Court Reform Act of 2026 overhauls the state's juvenile justice and child welfare systems by restructuring court jurisdictions, mandating public access to hearings, and establishing a statewide diversion program for low-risk youth. The bill requires that youth court divisions be housed within chancery courts in counties without county courts, while prohibiting the creation of new county youth courts and requiring full-time judges to handle these cases by 2031. It also opens youth court proceedings to the general public, with specific exceptions allowing judges to close hearings for child welfare matters if justified on the record. Additionally, the legislation creates a Family Services Forum to coordinate cross-agency support for children and families, and mandates the implementation of a uniform data management system to replace existing tracking software by 2029.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill reforms juvenile justice by mandating public access to hearings and establishing diversion programs for low-risk youth, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Tags Children

Sponsor Brice Wiggins (R)

died · Mississippi · Senate Jul 16, 2026

SB 2002: Youth Court; reenact and amend repeal dates related to.

Mississippi Senate Bill 2002 extends the expiration date of several youth court statutes to July 1, 2029, ensuring that existing laws regarding juvenile justice operations remain in effect for an additional period. The bill specifically reenacts and amends provisions governing the confidentiality of child records, the duties of intake officers, and the administration of the Youth Court Support Program. It maintains requirements for state funding to support youth court staff and equipment while prohibiting registered sex offenders from accessing the state's juvenile court data system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends expiration of youth court statutes, ensuring continued funding and operation of juvenile justice systems and support programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Sponsor Hob Bryan (D)

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6279: Corrections: state facilities; certain health and safety standards in state correctional facilities; provide for. Amends 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.201 - 791.285) by adding secs. 67c, 67e & 67f.

Michigan House Bill 6279 amends the state's corrections code to require the Department of Corrections to provide prisoners with timely access to medical, dental, optical, and mental health care while ensuring privacy and dignity during treatment. The legislation mandates that the department identify and address the needs of prisoners with disabilities by providing assistive equipment such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. Additionally, it requires the maintenance of safe environmental conditions, including proper sanitation and ventilation, to prevent risks to prisoner health. Prisoners who believe these standards are not met can file grievances through the existing departmental system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates improved health, safety, and accessibility standards in state correctional facilities, directly strengthening prisoner welfare and rehabilitation conditions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely access to medical, dental, and mental health care for prisoners, directly advancing healthcare standards in state facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Sponsor Reggie Miller (D) · 6 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6280: Corrections: state facilities; use of certain recording devices in medical settings in state correctional facilities; provide for. Amends 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.201 - 791.285) by adding sec. 67d.

Michigan House Bill 6280 requires the state Department of Corrections to establish specific policies governing the use of recording devices in sensitive medical settings within correctional facilities. The bill limits the use of audio, video, or photographic recording to situations where it is reasonably necessary for safety, security, or documentation purposes. It mandates that any recording must be conducted in a way that minimizes intrusion on prisoner privacy and requires staff to document the specific reason for using the device. Additionally, the legislation requires the department to maintain policies for the retention, storage, and access of these recordings in compliance with existing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates privacy protections for inmates during medical care in correctional facilities, enhancing human rights standards within the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Reggie Miller (D) · 6 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6275: Criminal procedure: evidence; applicability of rules of evidence at preliminary examination; modify. Amends sec. 11b, ch. VI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 766.11b).

This bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines criminal procedure by clarifying admissibility of hearsay and law enforcement reports at preliminary examinations, enhancing prosecutorial efficiency.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Sponsor Tom Kuhn (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6301: Courts: other; failure to appear reporting requirements; mandate, and require court to publish certain public information related to warrants. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 3a to ch. IV.

Effective October 1, 2026, Michigan courts are required to publish specific performance metrics on their websites to improve transparency regarding case management. The bill mandates that each court display its failure-to-appear rate and fugitive rate, which measure the proportion of defendants or supervised individuals who miss scheduled court dates or escape supervision. Additionally, courts must list the total number of active warrants they hold, categorized separately by traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates court transparency by requiring publication of failure-to-appear rates and warrant data, enhancing oversight of the judicial system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Sponsor Matt Maddock (R)

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6296: Children: services; juvenile justice and child welfare training institute and youth and family justice bureau; establish. Amends secs. 13a, 18f, 18q, 19 & 19a, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.13a et seq.) & adds secs. 16b, 18u & 18v to ch. XIIA.

Michigan House Bill 6296 establishes a new Youth and Family Justice Bureau within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee juvenile justice standards, collect data, and monitor detention facilities. The bill also creates a Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Training Institute, developed in collaboration with state courts and a public university, to provide standardized training and maintain centralized records for staff working in the juvenile system. Additionally, the legislation amends existing child welfare laws to mandate more frequent court review hearings, require regular parenting time for removed children, and set specific timelines for permanency planning decisions regarding foster care placements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes oversight bureau and training institute for juvenile justice to improve standards, data collection, and staff preparation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Sponsor Luke Meerman (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track