Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10231: No Homeless Detention Centers Act

The No Homeless Detention Centers Act prohibits recipients of federal housing funds from forcing homeless individuals to live in government facilities or requiring them to perform labor in exchange for shelter. The bill also bans local and state authorities from punishing people for engaging in basic life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping or resting, on public property. These restrictions apply to actions taken by law enforcement officers or private contractors acting under federal authority. By tying these prohibitions to federal funding, the legislation aims to prevent the use of criminal penalties or involuntary confinement to address homelessness.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill restricts law enforcement authority to enforce anti-camping laws and mandates against detaining homeless individuals, limiting criminal justice powers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects homeless individuals from forced labor and criminalization of survival activities, directly advancing tenant protections and housing rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Homelessness

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4877: Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act

The Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act allows members of the U.S. Armed Forces to file lawsuits against the government if they suffer injury or death due to sexual misconduct by other service members or because the military failed to prevent or investigate such incidents. This law defines sexual misconduct to include rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and it permits claims even when the government was negligent in its duties. The bill ensures that these claims are not reduced by any health benefits or services the veteran receives and sets a five-year time limit for filing, which pauses during any ongoing investigation. Additionally, the statute applies to cases that occurred before the law was passed, provided the filing deadline is calculated from the date of enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances accountability and protects civil rights by allowing lawsuits against the government for sexual misconduct, strengthening justice for victims.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill strengthens protections for veterans by enabling legal recourse for sexual trauma suffered during service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9898: Transportation for Reentry Act

The Transportation for Reentry Act requires transit agencies receiving federal funding to offer free public transportation to individuals released from prison after serving at least one year. Under this bill, these agencies must provide the service for one year starting from the person's release date and cover costs related to program setup, staff training, and outreach. To receive federal grants, transit recipients must establish enrollment systems, track usage data, and ensure compliance with the program's duration requirements. The legislation authorizes $40 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to support these efforts and mandates a final report on the program's impact five years after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates free transit for released prisoners to aid reintegration and reduce recidivism, a core criminal justice reform goal.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates free public transit for released prisoners, expanding access and strengthening public transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Public Transit

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in committee · United States · House Jul 3, 2026

HR 9579: Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

This bill establishes a new Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security, led by an Officer who reports directly to the department head. The Office is tasked with overseeing compliance with civil rights laws, reviewing potential abuses or profiling by employees, and integrating these protections into all department policies and programs. It grants the Officer authority to investigate complaints, issue public reports on findings, and coordinate with other officials to ensure diverse communities are engaged effectively. Additionally, the legislation requires each major department unit to have its own civil rights officer and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the Office's activities and progress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes an office to oversee civil rights compliance and investigate profiling/abuses by DHS employees, enhancing accountability and protecting civil liberties within law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill establishes a DHS office to protect civil rights and prevent profiling, directly supporting immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4917: Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act establishes new rules for federal judges appointing independent monitors to oversee state or local government conduct. Key provisions limit monitor fees, restrict appointments to a maximum of five years, and require public notice before a monitor is selected. The bill also mandates that monitors submit annual financial reports to the court and the public, and it ensures that cases with long-standing monitorships are transferred to a different judge after six years. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest in the appointment and management of these oversight roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight of judicial appointments of monitors, strengthening accountability in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4775: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act

The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by immediately dismissing any lawsuits currently pending against them that allege harm caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products. The bill defines these protected cases as those where the injury resulted from a third party's illegal actions rather than a defect in the product itself, while explicitly excluding claims involving negligent entrustment, specific federal violations, or design defects. To enforce these protections, the law allows defendants to remove such cases from state courts to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately. Additionally, the legislation preempts state and local laws that attempt to hold these companies liable for product misuse and provides for attorney's fees for defendants who successfully assert their immunity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill limits civil liability for firearm manufacturers regarding third-party misuse, reducing accountability for public safety harms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SRES 783: A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 11, 2026, as "Anti-Illicit Trade Awareness Day".

This resolution expresses support for designating June 11, 2026, as "Anti-Illicit Trade Awareness Day" to raise public and governmental attention about illegal trade activities. The bill defines illicit trade broadly to include the movement of contraband like drugs and firearms, as well as regulatory violations such as customs fraud and smuggling that harm the economy and national security. By formally recognizing this issue, the Senate aims to encourage reporting of illegal activities, promote education on the scale of the problem, and urge federal agencies to prioritize combating these networks in their security strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill designates a day to raise awareness about illicit trade, including drugs and firearms, aiming to encourage reporting and combat illegal activities that harm national security.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act

This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts civil liability for gun misuse, limiting accountability and reducing remedies for victims of criminal violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 4678: SIMS Act

The SIMS Act prohibits companies from creating or operating chatbots that simulate minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct or conversations. This law applies to any person offering such software in the United States and defines a minor as anyone under 18 years old. While the ban covers simulations of real or fictional minors, it includes specific exemptions for law enforcement agencies investigating child sexual exploitation. Violations can result in criminal fines of up to $100,000 or civil penalties, and the Attorney General is required to submit annual reports on enforcement actions and investigations related to the new rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill protects minors from sexual exploitation by banning harmful chatbots, directly supporting child safety and criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts technology by prohibiting the creation or operation of specific chatbots, limiting innovation in AI and digital communication tools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4667: Open Courts Act of 2026

The Open Courts Act of 2026 creates a single, modernized online system to store and display public records for most federal courts in the United States. This centralized platform will automatically make court documents, audio recordings, and opinions available to the public immediately upon filing, while also offering features like searchable databases, email notifications for case updates, and permanent links for easy access. To help fund the development and maintenance of this new system, the bill introduces a fee structure that charges higher rates for high-volume users and government agencies while keeping basic access free for everyone. Additionally, the law sets strict standards for digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and data privacy, and requires regular audits to ensure the system meets user needs and remains secure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and public access to court records, strengthening judicial oversight and accountability within the criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a modernized online system for public records, enhancing digital access and infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Cybersecurity Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

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