Criminal Justice

The Badge-to-Business Act amends the Small Business Act to waive guarantee fees for express loans made to qualified career law enforcement officers starting January 1, 2027. To qualify, an officer must have completed at least ten years of service and not be facing a pending criminal investigation or administrative proceeding for misconduct related to their official duties. This fee waiver applies to both currently employed officers and those who have separated from service, provided they meet the conduct requirements at the time of application. The provision includes an exception allowing the Administrator to collect fees if the cost of guaranteeing these loans results in a net loss for the Administration in a given fiscal year.

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.

The Oversight Access Act prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from blocking Members of Congress or their staff from entering immigration detention facilities for oversight purposes. The bill also forbids requiring advance notice for these visits and bans any temporary changes to a facility that would alter what visitors observe compared to normal conditions. If the Inspector General determines that the Secretary has significantly failed to follow these rules, they must report the violation to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within 30 days.

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.

The Right to Worship Act makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly disrupt religious services or prevent people from entering houses of worship within 100 feet of an entryway during the hour before and after a scheduled service. The bill applies to conduct that meaningfully interferes with a service's normal operation or unreasonably hinders participation, while explicitly allowing free speech as long as it adheres to these specific time, place, and manner restrictions. Violators face escalating civil fines ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 for subsequent offenses, assessed by the Attorney General. Additionally, the act permits aggrieved individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, or state attorneys general to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.

The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in the criminal justice system by restricting financial incentives for states that use restraints on pregnant inmates. Under the bill, states receiving federal justice grants would face a 25 percent funding penalty if they fail to implement laws limiting the use of shackles on pregnant individuals, with those withheld funds redirected to compliant states. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to create and fund programs in at least six federal facilities and across various state and local prisons that provide specialized prenatal care, mental health support, and reentry assistance. These programs are designed to address specific health disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups, by offering culturally competent care, nutrition counseling, and opportunities to maintain contact with newborn children. Additionally, the act requires an independent oversight organization to monitor program implementation and mandates a Government Accountability Office report to analyze maternal and infant health data within the correctional system.

This Senate resolution condemns the Government of Iran for ongoing human rights abuses, specifically targeting its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions. The bill outlines several key provisions, including calls to halt executions based on unsupported security charges and demands for detainees to receive due process and access to independent legal counsel. It also urges the release of individuals imprisoned for peacefully exercising freedoms of expression and religion while supporting the Iranian people's pursuit of democracy. Additionally, the resolution affirms U.S. efforts to hold Iranian officials accountable through sanctions and international investigations for their actions.

The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026 modifies how public safety officers can claim federal benefits related to line-of-duty injuries. It simplifies the claims process by removing a requirement that injuries must be caused by factors other than pre-existing cardiovascular risks and extends the time limit for reporting certain incidents from 24 to 72 hours. These changes apply to any benefit claims that are pending or filed after the law is enacted. The bill directly affects public safety officers seeking compensation for work-related injuries.

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act fundamentally changes federal law by removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level and allowing states to regulate their own cannabis markets without federal interference. To manage this new landscape, the bill creates a new federal agency called the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Tax and Trade Bureau to oversee licensing, collect taxes, and prevent illicit trade, while also establishing a new Center for Cannabis Products within the FDA to regulate safety and labeling. The legislation includes significant restorative justice measures, such as automatically expunging federal cannabis convictions and prohibiting discrimination against individuals with such records in areas like immigration, security clearances, and access to federal benefits. Additionally, the bill provides billions of dollars in funding to support research into the health effects of cannabis, expand access to financial services for legitimate cannabis businesses, and assist communities and individuals harmed by past prohibition enforcement.

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.