Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 4696: Right to Record Act of 2026

The Right to Record Act of 2026 establishes a federal legal right for individuals to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement officers in public spaces, while explicitly stating that this right does not apply if a person physically restrains an officer. The bill creates a new cause of action allowing individuals to sue both the officer and the United States government for civil damages, including up to $25,000 per violation and up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the violation was committed with malice or reckless disregard. It defines specific prohibited actions such as arresting, ticketing, or intimidating someone for recording, and mandates that federal agencies provide annual training to officers on respecting these rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a right to record police and creates a cause of action for civil damages, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8916: CHIERS Act of 2026

The CHIERS Act of 2026 authorizes federal grants to help individuals with substance use disorders reach treatment and supportive services by covering transportation costs. Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and health centers that will use the funds to provide rides, purchase vehicles, or pay for taxi services for these individuals. The program specifically targets people experiencing homelessness or living in low-income areas where travel barriers limit access to care, while explicitly excluding involuntary treatment transport and law enforcement use. To ensure effectiveness, grant recipients must submit detailed plans and performance reports focused on reducing missed appointments, and the funding is designed to supplement rather than replace existing local resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds transportation to treatment for substance use disorders, aiding rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, which supports criminal justice reform.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes federal grants to cover transportation costs for substance use disorder treatment, improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes federal grants to fund transportation services for individuals with substance use disorders, directly supporting the transportation topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9071: Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026

The Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against exploiting individuals under 18 by expanding the definition of prohibited conduct to include engaging in or soliciting commercial sex acts with minors. It removes the legal requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion when the victim is a minor and establishes that a defendant's lack of knowledge about the victim's age is not a valid defense if they had a reasonable opportunity to observe them. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement officers posing as minors cannot use this as a defense against prosecution and increases the minimum prison sentence to 15 years for offenses involving victims under 14. These changes apply to actions taken 180 days after the law is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens federal laws against exploiting minors by removing the requirement to prove force or coercion, thereby enhancing protection and law enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9078: LEASH Act of 2026

The LEASH Act of 2026 requires law enforcement agencies seeking federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grants to report data on felony animal cruelty convictions, including the names of those convicted. To qualify for these grants, local governments must submit information on such crimes to the Attorney General and join a specific category of jurisdictions that provide this data. The bill also mandates the creation of a publicly accessible database by the Attorney General to store and periodically update these animal cruelty records. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies and local governments that apply for federal crime prevention funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by mandating data reporting on animal cruelty convictions, enhancing transparency and accountability for law enforcement agencies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9059: National Police Athletic/Activities League Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act

This bill, titled the National Police Athletic/Activities League Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act, provides federal funding to expand youth programs run by the National Police Athletic/Activities League. The legislation authorizes $16 million annually from 2028 to 2032 to help the organization establish 250 new chapters in distressed areas and expand existing ones to serve more children. Grant funds must be used for after-school activities that include mentorship, academic support, sports, and training to prevent drug use and gang involvement. The program is designed to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and youth while offering alternatives to risky behaviors in communities with high numbers of at-risk children. Recipients of the funds are required to submit reports on their progress and ensure that local communities help design the specific activities offered.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds youth enrichment programs to reduce at-risk behavior, supporting crime prevention and community safety.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides federal funding for youth programs including academic support and mentorship in schools.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8932: Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026

The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 establishes a temporary United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate the rising number of bias-motivated incidents and improve how they are reported. The ten-member commission, appointed by congressional leaders and the Attorney General, will examine factors like social media's role in hate crimes and identify barriers preventing local law enforcement from fully participating in federal reporting systems. Within one year of its formation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with findings and recommendations for better prevention and data collection. Additionally, the bill requires an independent audit by the Government Accountability Office to verify the accuracy of hate crime data collected by the FBI.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a commission to investigate hate crimes and improve reporting, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

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

Track

in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2026

S 4643: LEO K9 Protection Act

The LEO K9 Protection Act strengthens penalties for harming law enforcement dogs and horses used in official duties, increasing the maximum prison sentence to 15 years. It clarifies that these protections apply to animals assisting federal, state, and local agencies in tasks like crime detection, search and rescue, and military operations, while explicitly exempting individuals acting in good faith to provide emergency veterinary care. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to create guidelines and regulations allowing emergency medical personnel to treat injured police dogs at the scene and transport them to veterinary facilities. These measures aim to ensure that injured working dogs receive timely medical attention comparable to that provided to human officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for harming law enforcement animals, protecting assets used in official duties and enhancing criminal justice enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 7, 2026

HR 9109: Stop ANTIFA Act of 2026

HR 9109, the Stop ANTIFA Act of 2026, officially designates Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and mandates that federal agencies investigate and dismantle its networks. The bill requires the National Joint Terrorism Task Force to coordinate a national strategy to prosecute crimes related to political violence, including doxing, riots, and assaults on law enforcement, while also targeting the financial supporters and funders of these groups. Additionally, the Act directs the Department of Justice to prioritize investigations into specific violent offenses and instructs the Treasury and IRS to disrupt funding streams and revoke tax-exempt status for entities supporting domestic terrorism.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill designates a group as terrorist, mandates federal investigations, and directs prosecution of political violence, thereby strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2026

HR 9098: Congressional Records Protection Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Congressional Records Protection Act, aims to shield the personal and official communications of Members of Congress and their employees from government searches and subpoenas. It directly affects federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies by prohibiting them from obtaining records related to these individuals unless the person is the specific target of a criminal investigation. Under the new rules, agencies must notify the affected Member or employee before searching their records, except in urgent cases where notice could endanger lives or destroy evidence. Additionally, any materials found during a search that belong to a protected individual cannot be reviewed for 30 days to ensure they are not accessed without proper oversight.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement access to records, limiting their ability to investigate and gather evidence against congressional staff.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill strengthens data privacy and digital rights by shielding communications from government searches, aligning with the goal of protecting personal data.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track