Criminal Justice across the country

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 8, 2026

HD 6262: An Act relative to strengthening penalties and enforcement of prison contraband laws

By Representative Thurber of Somerset, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Justin Thurber relative to penalties and enforcement of prison contraband laws. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties and enforcement of prison contraband laws, enhancing security and order within the corrections system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Justin Thurber (R)

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5555: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

This bill appropriates state funds for fiscal year 2027 to support various departments, boards, and institutions across the Commonwealth, including specific allocations for healthcare, education, and public safety. It establishes new reporting requirements for certain programs, such as mandating that the Department of Children and Families submit data on enforcement actions and the number of individuals subjected to solitary confinement. The legislation also amends existing laws to increase penalties for specific child sexual offenses and adjusts lottery rules to allow for new game contracts while ensuring prize payouts remain at least 45 percent of revenue. Additionally, the bill modifies the minimum age for certain criminal charges and increases the number of years required for specific legal provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for FY2027 to support departments, boards, and institutions, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates reporting on solitary confinement and enforcement actions, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4967: Stop TNR Act of 2026

The Stop TNR Act of 2026 establishes a formal definition for transnational repression, which covers foreign government efforts to harass, threaten, or harm individuals in the United States, including the use of cyberattacks and artificial intelligence. This legislation mandates that crimes involving such activities face a mandatory sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Attorney General to centralize the oversight of related investigations and prosecutions within the FBI and the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. Additionally, the act directs federal agencies to produce annual public reports detailing incidents of repression and outlines a strategy for using artificial intelligence to investigate and counter these threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by defining transnational repression crimes and mandating enhanced sentencing to deter foreign government harassment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by defining transnational repression and mandating stricter penalties for cyberattacks and AI misuse.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor Adam B. Schiff (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9775: Concealed Crime Prevention Act

The Concealed Crime Prevention Act amends Washington, D.C. law to impose stricter prison sentences for individuals who wear ski masks or similar head coverings that conceal their identity while committing a crime. This provision specifically targets balaclavas and comparable gear while explicitly excluding religious headwear from the definition. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of a misdemeanor while wearing such a mask faces a mandatory minimum of six months in prison, and those convicted of a felony face a mandatory minimum of two years. These additional sentences must be served consecutively to any other prison time given for the underlying offense and apply to crimes committed on or after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences and expands criminalization of identity concealment, restricting judicial discretion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Sponsor Tim Burchett (R)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9650: Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026

The Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against tampering with boat identification numbers by making it a crime to knowingly remove, alter, or forge these marks on vessels involved in interstate commerce. This legislation directly affects boat owners, manufacturers, and dealers by prohibiting the use of unauthorized identification numbers and imposing penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for violations. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum prison sentence to ten years for anyone who buys or possesses a vessel knowing its identification number has been illegally altered or removed. Exceptions are made for damage caused by accidents like collisions or fires, and for actions authorized by the Coast Guard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens federal laws against tampering with vessel identification, enhancing enforcement capabilities and protecting against criminal activity.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens federal laws against tampering with vessel identification numbers, enhancing safety and security for maritime transportation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Mike Ezell (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 2, 2026

HR 9588: FRAUD Act

The FRAUD Act requires state governors and officials who manage federal funds to report specific fraud warnings to the FBI within 180 days. To receive federal funding in the future, state leaders must certify that their officials have complied with this reporting requirement. Officials who knowingly fail to report these warnings or obstruct fraud investigations face criminal penalties, including fines and up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, agencies overseeing federal funds can ban convicted officials from managing those funds, though the law explicitly states it does not allow for the removal of elected state officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating fraud reporting to the FBI and imposing penalties for obstruction, enhancing law enforcement effectiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Pete Stauber (R) · 4 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 30, 2026

HR 9545: HONEST Act of 2026

The HONEST Act of 2026 amends federal criminal laws to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment on U.S. officers and Members of Congress who commit specific sex offenses, including child sexual exploitation, trafficking, and abusive sexual contact. In addition to these severe penalties, the bill introduces a new federal crime of adultery for federal officials and lawmakers, punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine. These changes directly affect federal employees and elected representatives by expanding the range of crimes they face and increasing the maximum punishments for violations involving minors or sexual misconduct. The legislation aims to hold public officials to higher ethical standards by ensuring they face the harshest penalties available under federal law for these specific acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes severe penalties for sex offenses by officials and creates a new crime of adultery, strengthening accountability and protecting victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Clay Fuller (R)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 2, 2026

HRES 1418: Honoring the life and legacy of Father Stan, a prominent human rights activist who died while in custody of the Indian state on July 5, 2021, and encouraging India to pursue an independent investigation into his arrest, incarceration, and death.

This resolution honors the life of Father Stan, a human rights activist who died in Indian custody in 2021, and urges the Indian government to conduct an independent investigation into his arrest and death. The text highlights allegations that Father Stan was detained based on fabricated digital evidence planted on his computer by hackers linked to Indian police agencies. It calls for an inquiry into these claims of evidence tampering and the subsequent mistreatment of the activist, who suffered from Parkinson's disease and COVID-19 while in prison. Additionally, the resolution expresses concern over the use of antiterrorism laws against human rights defenders and supports the rights of indigenous and marginalized communities in India.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes police accountability and protects civil rights by demanding an independent investigation into alleged evidence tampering and mistreatment of a detainee.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

Sponsor Juan Vargas (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9525: Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2026

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2026 modifies existing laws to allow the Bureau to charge medical fees to prisoners who cause injuries to others. Specifically, the bill permits the Bureau Director to assess costs for health care visits resulting from injuries inflicted by one prisoner on another, with the fee taken from the account of the person who caused the harm. This change removes previous restrictions that prevented such charges when the injured prisoner met certain exclusion criteria. The legislation directly affects the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the inmates within its custody by establishing a new mechanism for recovering medical expenses related to inmate-on-inmate violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows charging medical fees to prisoners who injure others, promoting accountability within the correctional system and reducing costs for the Bureau.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Sponsor Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)

Track