Criminal Justice (Courts)

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 9, 2026

S 4713: Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act

This bill, known as the Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act, bars individuals convicted of specific crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack or election interference from receiving future federal compensation. It also requires people who received such payments between January 20, 2025, and the date the law is enacted to return the money to the U.S. Treasury. State attorneys general are authorized to sue these individuals in federal court to enforce the repayment and collect an additional 25% penalty to cover legal costs. The rules apply to any claim filed on or after January 20, 2025, regardless of when the underlying incident occurred.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill requires repayment of federal funds and restricts future compensation, effectively reducing government disbursements and enforcing fiscal restraint.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts financial benefits for individuals convicted of insurrection and election interference, reinforcing legal consequences and protecting the integrity of the justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 4695: CONSENT Act

The CONSENT Act establishes a federal civil remedy for individuals who receive unsolicited intimate visual depictions, including those created using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology, without their consent. It defines consent as a voluntary and conscious authorization and prohibits the transmission of such images when the sender knows or should know the recipient has not agreed to receive them. Victims can sue for damages up to $1,000 or compensation for emotional distress, along with court orders to stop the distribution, while minors can file suit through guardians with their identities kept private. The law explicitly excludes good faith transmissions for medical, educational, or law enforcement purposes and clarifies that it does not override existing criminal laws or First Amendment rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes civil remedies for non-consensual intimate imagery, enhancing victim protection and accountability within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects individuals from non-consensual deepfakes, enhancing digital privacy and cybersecurity against harmful AI misuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

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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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in committee · United States · House Jul 7, 2026

HR 9294: Oversight of Temporary ICE Holding Cells Act

The Oversight of Temporary ICE Holding Cells Act limits how long U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can hold individuals in temporary secure areas before formal processing. Specifically, it prohibits detaining anyone in these holding rooms for longer than 12 hours. The law defines holding rooms as secure spaces used for short-term confinement before intake, court appointments, or transfer to another facility. This restriction directly affects the Department of Homeland Security's operations regarding the temporary detention of immigrants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits detention duration in ICE holding cells, enhancing oversight and protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits detention time for immigrants, protecting their rights and restricting federal enforcement power.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8966: Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act

The Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act restricts how federal agencies can use administrative subpoenas to obtain phone and app records from service providers. It requires agencies to identify a specific person or account before requesting data, bans subpoenas aimed at investigating or retaliating against constitutionally protected activities like free speech, and mandates that agencies certify the subpoena's legitimate purpose. The law also allows service providers to notify customers about the subpoena and consult with lawyers, unless a court order specifically prevents such notification. Additionally, federal agencies must publicly report annually on the number of subpoenas issued and the total accounts affected.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by restricting subpoena abuse and preventing retaliation against constitutionally protected activities like free speech.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by restricting government access to phone and app records, requiring specific targets, and banning subpoenas for retaliatory purposes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Data Privacy Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2026

HR 9155: CONSENT Act

The CONSENT Act establishes a federal civil remedy for individuals who receive unsolicited intimate visual depictions, such as non-consensual deepfakes, sent via interstate commerce. It defines consent as a voluntary authorization free from coercion and specifically prohibits the transmission of intimate digital forgeries created using artificial intelligence or other technological means. Victims can sue senders for up to $1,000 in statutory damages, emotional distress compensation, and court-ordered injunctions to stop the behavior, while also allowing minors to file under a pseudonym for privacy. The law explicitly excludes good faith transmissions for medical, educational, or law enforcement purposes and states that it does not override existing criminal laws or First Amendment rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a federal civil remedy for non-consensual intimate imagery, enhancing victim protection and accountability within the justice system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and digital rights by establishing civil remedies against non-consensual deepfakes and regulating harmful AI-generated content.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9069: KIDS Act

The KIDS Act restricts U.S. immigration authorities from detaining children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, and their primary caregivers, with limited exceptions for criminal warrants. It also prohibits law enforcement from conducting immigration actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, places of worship, and disaster relief sites. If a violation occurs, the bill mandates the immediate release of wrongfully detained individuals and bars the use of information gathered during illegal enforcement actions in future court cases. Additionally, the law requires that any necessary detentions be reported to Congress within 24 hours and prioritizes placing children with parents or designated guardians.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts immigration detention of vulnerable groups and limits police actions near sensitive sites, enhancing civil rights and police accountability.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts immigration enforcement actions against vulnerable groups and limits cooperation with federal authorities, protecting immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Children

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 4324: Federal Prosecutorial Accountability Act

The Federal Prosecutorial Accountability Act modifies existing Department of Justice rules to address misconduct by government attorneys. It mandates that any federal prosecutor sanctioned under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure will be barred from representing the government in court for one year. The Office of Professional Responsibility within the Department of Justice is tasked with enforcing this ban. This change directly affects attorneys working for the federal government who face specific legal penalties for improper litigation conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances prosecutorial accountability and oversight, directly strengthening integrity within the criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9076: Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026

The Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026 restricts the use of mail covers by requiring governmental entities to obtain a court order before accessing postal records for criminal investigations. To qualify for such an order, authorities must provide specific facts demonstrating that the requested data is relevant and material to an ongoing case, while state laws prohibiting mail covers would override federal requirements. Additionally, the bill mandates that postal officials preserve relevant records for up to 180 days while a court order is being sought or renewed. These provisions directly affect federal and state law enforcement agencies as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service by establishing new procedural safeguards for accessing mail data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts mail covers and requires court orders, enhancing privacy and limiting law enforcement surveillance overreach.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by restricting mail covers and requiring court orders, aligning with digital rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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