Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 477: Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025

This bill reduces sentencing thresholds for fentanyl and similar synthetic opioid offenses by lowering the quantity amounts that trigger mandatory minimum penalties (e.g., changing "400 grams" to "20 grams" for certain offenses). It requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines within 120 days to align with these changes. Additionally, it authorizes $9 million for the U.S. Postal Service to purchase chemical screening devices and staff to detect fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in mail and packages. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of federal drug offenses under the Controlled Substances Act.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers fentanyl sentencing threshold from 400g to 20g, increasing mandatory minimum application and expanding punitive sentencing scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3430: PURE Act

This bill removes the requirement to test methamphetamine purity for sentencing under federal law. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to eliminate purity thresholds in sentencing guidelines for methamphetamine offenses, as current methamphetamine is consistently over 80% pure (95.1% in 2024), making purity testing unnecessary. The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update sentencing guidelines for methamphetamine cases to maintain deterrent severity while focusing on factors like victim impact or weapon use. It directly affects federal prosecutors, courts, and defendants in methamphetamine trafficking cases by streamlining prosecutions and reducing laboratory burdens.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves redundant methamphetamine purity testing in sentencing, streamlining guidelines to maintain deterrent severity while eliminating unnecessary legal barriers, aligning with reform goals of fairer sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Sep 26, 2025

HR 5573: Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025

HR 5573, the Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025, creates three federal grant programs to address fentanyl-related harms. It funds state/local law enforcement to target illegal social media sales of controlled substances (including fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills) and provides education for schools and parents about fentanyl risks. Nonprofits receive grants up to $50,000 to run public awareness campaigns, produce educational materials, and offer counseling for families affected by fentanyl deaths - though funds cannot cover most harm reduction supplies (only naloxone is permitted). The bill allocates $10 million for law enforcement programs, $3 million for awareness grants, and $2 million for officer safety equipment like fentanyl test strips and naloxone training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement for fentanyl enforcement, directly supporting criminal justice law enforcement component.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill includes education for schools and parents about fentanyl risks, providing educational resources and awareness programs.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds public health initiatives, education, and counseling for families affected by fentanyl, supporting healthcare and public health programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 3134: Combating Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Act of 2025

This bill defines "copy-cat ingredients" as substances mimicking approved drugs but made via different processes or with lower quality, and clarifies "counterfeit drugs" under existing law. It updates the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to replace all references to "opioid" with "illicit drug," expanding the law's scope to cover all counterfeit pharmaceuticals - not just opioid-related products. The bill also adds a waiver allowing access to medications on the HHS drug shortage list. These changes help regulators and law enforcement better identify and address counterfeit drugs affecting patients and the healthcare system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands drug enforcement scope to all counterfeit pharmaceuticals, increasing criminalization under Fentanyl Sanctions Act90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill combats counterfeit drugs and adds waiver for drug shortages, improving patient safety and access to medications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2186: Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act

This bill amends federal gun law to prevent individuals under certain court-ordered pretrial restrictions from purchasing firearms. It adds a new definition of "pretrial release order" (a court order restricting release pending trial) and modifies Section 922(d) to explicitly prohibit firearm purchases or possession by anyone subject to such an order. The law directly affects arrested individuals awaiting trial who have a court order banning firearm possession, including those in federal, state, tribal, or local courts. The key change clarifies that firearm transfers to these individuals would violate federal law, strengthening background checks during the pretrial phase.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for individuals under pretrial court orders, enhancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by preventing potential gun violence during pretrial phases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3353: Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act

HR 3353, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act, increases penalties for providing prohibited items like phones to prisoners in federal custody, imposing up to two years in prison for violations involving such items. The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to review and update its policies within one year of enactment to better address contraband possession by inmates, aiming to improve safety for both incarcerated individuals and staff. It specifically amends federal law to clarify penalties for trafficking prohibited objects, including phones, under Section 1791 of Title 18. The legislation directly affects federal prison operations, inmates, and staff by targeting contraband trafficking and mandating policy reforms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for prison contraband (up to 2 years), expanding criminalization and strengthening enforcement rather than advancing reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2870: Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act

S 2870, the "Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act," requires manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of tableting machines (used to make pills) and their key components (like punches and dies) to permanently affix serial numbers to these items. It mandates that regulated businesses report these serial numbers to the Attorney General and prohibits removing, altering, or trafficking in machines or parts with tampered serial numbers. This law directly affects businesses involved in producing, selling, or distributing pill-making equipment, aiming to improve tracking of machines potentially used for illicit drug manufacturing. The bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to create new recordkeeping and reporting requirements for these specific machines and parts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets illicit drug manufacturing equipment, enhancing law enforcement tracking/seizure capabilities to combat illegal pill production, directly supporting criminal justice enforcement efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 3087: Stop Pills That Kill Act

This bill targets counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine that mimic legitimate medications. It defines "counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances" as pills falsely bearing another brand's label while containing those dangerous drugs. The bill requires the DEA to create a comprehensive plan within 180 days, including enhanced law enforcement strategies, youth-focused prevention efforts, and audits of existing campaigns like "One Pill Can Kill." It also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing seizure data, prosecutions, convictions, and prevention measures specifically related to counterfeit pill forms. The legislation directly affects federal law enforcement agencies, public health campaigns, and individuals manufacturing or distributing these deceptive pills.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates DEA to develop enhanced law enforcement strategies against counterfeit fentanyl/meth pills, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice as defined in the topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6789: Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025

HR 6789, the Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025, requires federal prisons to maintain naloxone kits in all correctional facilities, including medical units, staff areas, and common spaces where incarcerated people gather. The bill mandates annual training for staff and incarcerated individuals on opioid overdose recognition and kit use, ensures proper storage and expiration checks, and requires detailed documentation of each kit administration. It also prohibits holding incarcerated people liable for good-faith naloxone use during an overdose and requires annual reports to Congress on kit availability, overdose incidents, training, and expired kits. The law authorizes $6 million for 2026 and $2 million annually through 2028 for implementation, including kit purchases and training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires naloxone access and training in federal prisons to prevent opioid overdoses, improving health outcomes and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access and training in federal prisons to prevent opioid overdose deaths, directly advancing public health services and improving patient access to life-saving care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Aug 22, 2025

HR 5023: Fentanyl Kills Act

HR 5023, the Fentanyl Kills Act, redefines "trafficked fentanyl" to broadly cover activities like producing, distributing, financing, or transporting illicit fentanyl, its precursors, or related substances - both domestically and internationally with intent to distribute in the U.S. It directly affects individuals involved in fentanyl trafficking by automatically classifying such offenses as "attempted murder" under existing federal law. The bill adds specific definitions for trafficking activities (including manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intent) and mandates that convicted traffickers face penalties under murder statutes. This changes sentencing by treating fentanyl trafficking as an attempted homicide, increasing penalties for those involved in the supply chain.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRedefines fentanyl trafficking as 'attempted murder,' expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Violent Crime

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