Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · United States · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8493: Peer Support for Our First Responders Act of 2026

The Peer Support for Our First Responders Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a temporary working group focused on improving mental health support for law enforcement officers and first responders. This group will examine current peer-to-peer behavioral health programs, considering the unique challenges faced by these workers, and develop updated recommendations for Congress on reducing suicide risk and addressing substance use. The committee will include representatives from federal agencies, local governments, and organizations, as well as law enforcement officers and first responders with direct experience in these programs. Within one year of passing, the group must publish a report with evidence-based findings and minimum standards for effective support, then submit specific proposals to Congress on how to integrate these services into broader healthcare systems. The working group will dissolve after completing its report, though the Secretary may request to reconvene it later if new updates are deemed necessary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement by improving mental health support and reducing suicide risk among first responders.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs HHS to create a working group to improve mental health support and reduce suicide risk for first responders, directly advancing healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 4405: 287(g) Expansion Act

The 287(g) Expansion Act allows states and local law enforcement agencies that have partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to receive additional federal funding. Specifically, eligible jurisdictions can apply for up to a 10 percent increase in their annual Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant if they maintain an active 287(g) agreement. The legislation authorizes $20 million per year from 2027 to 2033 to support these increased allocations, which are intended to enhance immigration enforcement efforts within participating communities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides federal funding to enhance 287(g) partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE, strengthening enforcement capabilities.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill expands 287(g) agreements, increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and restricting immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 4333: VOICE Act

The VOICE Act creates a new civil remedy allowing individuals to sue the United States government if a federal law enforcement officer or someone acting under their direction violates their constitutional rights during immigration-related enforcement actions. This law specifically applies to people within U.S. jurisdiction who claim their rights were deprived while being acted upon by federal officers, regardless of whether the officer was following official policy. If the government is found liable, the specific federal agency that employed the officer must pay monetary damages, and the claimant is guaranteed at least $2 million in punitive damages. Additionally, the bill ensures that these lawsuits cannot be dismissed based on the government's sovereign immunity, while still allowing victims to pursue other legal remedies against individual officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill enhances police accountability by creating a civil remedy for constitutional rights violations by federal officers, directly aligning with the support indicator for protecting civil rights and strengthening oversight.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates a civil remedy to protect constitutional rights of individuals during immigration enforcement, directly supporting immigrant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

Track

in committee · United States · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4575: SMART Community Policing Act

The Supporting Mental Assistance Responder Teams Community Policing Act authorizes federal COPS funds to help local police departments create specialized teams that include mental health professionals and paramedics. These teams are designed to respond to crisis calls involving individuals with mental health issues, homelessness, or substance use disorders, aiming to de-escalate situations and connect people with necessary treatment instead of relying solely on law enforcement. The legislation also supports co-responder programs where officers work alongside clinicians, as well as outreach teams that follow up with individuals to help them access services and maintain stability. By funding these initiatives, the bill seeks to improve community safety outcomes and reduce the burden on emergency services through better coordination between police and health providers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds specialized teams to de-escalate mental health crises, reducing reliance on force and promoting rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes federal funds to create specialized police teams including mental health professionals, directly advancing mental health services and patient access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds specialized teams to address homelessness and mental health crises, aiming to connect individuals with treatment rather than incarceration, indirectly supporting housing stability.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health Homelessness Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 4316: Sanctuary City Elimination Act

The Sanctuary City Elimination Act defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as states or local areas that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as refusing to share immigration data or honor detention requests. If a jurisdiction is classified as a sanctuary, the bill prohibits it from receiving various federal grants, including funding for education, environmental protection, economic development, and community housing projects. The legislation also provides a legal mechanism allowing state attorneys general to sue in federal court to recover these funds if a sanctuary jurisdiction releases an immigrant who subsequently commits a crime in another state. Additionally, the bill grants local law enforcement the authority to act as federal agents when complying with immigration detainers and offers them immunity from liability in lawsuits related to those actions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts funding for local jurisdictions, limiting resources available for law enforcement and community safety initiatives.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill cuts federal grants for environmental protection in sanctuary jurisdictions, effectively restricting funding for environmental initiatives.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill cuts federal funding for community housing projects in sanctuary jurisdictions, restricting housing development and assistance.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts access to federal grants for jurisdictions that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement, thereby weakening protections for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Property Development Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · United States · House May 22, 2026

HR 9013: Fireworks Trafficking and Money Laundering Prevention Act

This bill, titled the Fireworks Trafficking and Money Laundering Prevention Act, aims to combat illegal interstate fireworks trafficking by treating it as a serious financial crime. It directly affects individuals and organizations involved in the unauthorized transport and sale of fireworks across state lines. The key provision designates the illegal movement of fireworks as a "specified unlawful activity," which allows law enforcement to apply federal money laundering laws to the profits generated from these sales. This change increases the maximum possible prison sentence for related offenses from one year to twenty years and provides authorities with additional tools to seize illicit assets.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement capabilities by designating illegal fireworks trafficking as a financial crime, enabling federal money laundering prosecutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House May 11, 2026

HR 8733: Melanie's Law

Melanie's Law creates a federal grant program to help states expand their ability to issue and enforce protective orders for people connected to domestic violence victims. The bill defines these protections to cover family members, former spouses, parents of the same child, and individuals in intimate relationships, ensuring courts can shield third-party relatives from harm as well. To support this, the legislation provides funding for training law enforcement and judges, improving how protective orders are served across different jurisdictions, and establishing better systems to track order violations. Additionally, the grants can be used to offer victims essential services such as legal aid, counseling, emergency housing, and safety equipment. States must have laws in place granting these specific protective order authorities to qualify for the federal money, which is authorized at $200 million annually from 2026 through 2036.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates grants to expand protective orders for domestic violence victims and trains law enforcement, strengthening victim safety and judicial support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · United States · House May 7, 2026

HR 8675: Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act of 2026

The Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act of 2026 allows nonprofit organizations to receive federal grants to provide free training to small rural police departments and sheriff's offices with fewer than 50 officers. This change aims to help smaller agencies access funding that they often cannot navigate due to complex application processes and reporting requirements. The bill authorizes these grants only if the training aligns with Department of Justice priorities and is delivered at no cost to the recipient agencies. Eligible nonprofits must have recognized expertise in law enforcement training as determined by the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes federal grants to fund training for rural law enforcement, directly increasing government spending on public safety services.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds training for rural law enforcement, enhancing officer capabilities and aligning with DOJ priorities to strengthen criminal justice operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 8911: AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026

The AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026 authorizes the Attorney General to conduct a study and fund a grant program aimed at addressing animal cruelty as a potential predictor of future human violence. The bill defines animal cruelty to include intentional harm, neglect, and specific abusive acts while explicitly excluding standard veterinary care, hunting, and food slaughter. It establishes a $2 million grant program for eligible entities, such as law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organizations, to train professionals and develop early intervention strategies for offenders. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2 million for a three-year study to analyze the link between animal cruelty and future violent crimes, with the goal of creating evidence-based policies to prevent such violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a study and grants to law enforcement to identify animal cruelty as a predictor of future violence, enhancing prevention and public safety.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8628: End U Visa Abuse Act

The End U Visa Abuse Act proposes to completely eliminate the U visa program, which currently provides immigration benefits and work authorization to alleged crime victims and their family members. The bill is based on findings that the program has been exploited through fraud, including staged crimes and forged law enforcement certifications, leading to a massive backlog of over 400,000 pending applications. By repealing the specific sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act that create the U visa category, the legislation would remove the legal pathway for these individuals to obtain lawful status through this specific mechanism. The text argues that existing alternatives, such as S visas for witnesses or humanitarian parole, are sufficient to assist genuine victims without the risks of abuse associated with the current system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEliminating the U visa program weakens victim protection and law enforcement tools, restricting criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill eliminates the U visa program, restricting immigration benefits and protections for crime victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Probation & Parole Enforcement Work Authorization

Track