Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 7, 2026

S 5372: Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026

The Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026 requires federal courts to issue permanent no-contact orders against individuals convicted of specific violent felonies or sexual offenses. These orders, which take effect at sentencing, prohibit any direct or indirect communication or physical interaction between the defendant and the victim for the rest of the defendant's life. Victims can request these injunctions without paying any fees, and violations are punishable as contempt of court. The only ways to end or suspend the order are if the victim petitions the court due to a pardon or changed circumstances, or if the defendant proves their conviction was dismissed or overturned on appeal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill imposes permanent no-contact orders as a mandatory sentencing condition for violent/sexual offenders, which aligns with indicators of increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8611: Logan's Law

Logan's Law directs the Attorney General to create a free, public database listing individuals with qualifying violent convictions, requiring states that receive federal crime grants to submit their records. The database will allow searches by various personal details and conviction specifics, such as the judge and prosecutor involved, and must be updated at least every three months. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to report on current barriers to sharing criminal records between states and the federal government and to propose solutions for improving this data exchange. States that fail to submit the required data could face penalties, including the withholding of federal Byrne JAG grant funds or the direct distribution of those funds to local governments within the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates a public database of violent offenders, increasing transparency and surveillance, which restricts privacy rights and expands the scope of criminal record accessibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Victims' Rights

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passed · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 909: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025

HR 909, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, modifies how funds from the False Claims Act are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It specifies that from 2025 through 2029, certain False Claims Act proceeds (specifically those for qui tam plaintiff payments and government damage reimbursements) cannot be deposited into the fund. This change directly affects the composition of the Crime Victims Fund by excluding these specific revenue streams during the specified period. The bill does not create new benefits or alter victim services; it only adjusts fund allocation rules for existing False Claims Act revenues.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExcludes False Claims Act proceeds from Crime Victims Fund, reducing its funding source and defunding essential program.85% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes False Claims Act proceeds from Crime Victims Fund, reducing available funding for victims' services, aligning with defunding indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 2705: Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act

This bill prohibits federal grants for states or local governments that maintain policies limiting cash bail for individuals charged with specific violent or disorderly crimes. It defines "covered offenses" as violent acts (murder, rape, robbery) or crimes promoting public disorder (looting, rioting, fleeing police). Starting October 1 after enactment, the Attorney General cannot award or renew such grants to jurisdictions with bail policies that substantially limit cash bail for these offenses. The bill directly affects state and local governments whose bail laws for these crimes conflict with the federal grant eligibility rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts jurisdictions from having bail policies limiting cash bail for violent crimes, opposing bail reform trends and prioritizing pretrial detention over defendant rights for covered offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 14, 2025

S 84: Sarah's Law

This bill requires mandatory detention for certain noncitizens (aliens) charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury, specifically those who entered without inspection, had a revoked temporary visa, or fall under specific immigration categories. It directly affects noncitizens facing such criminal charges and crime victims or their families. Key provisions mandate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to notify victims (or their families if deceased) about the alien’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. The bill also clarifies that these requirements do not override existing victim rights under other laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory detention for noncitizens in violent crime cases reduces judicial discretion and expands enforcement, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates mandatory detention for noncitizens with specific criminal charges, increasing state-level immigration enforcement against immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 16, 2025

S 2815: JUSTICE in D.C. Act

This bill repeals two previous D.C. criminal justice reforms: the Incarceration Reduction Amendment and the Second Look Amendment Acts. It creates a new program starting in 2026 where the Office of Victim Services issues annual grants of up to $200,000 per organization to support services for survivors of violent crimes, including advocacy, mental health care, and job assistance. The law directly affects D.C. organizations providing victim services and changes the District’s approach to criminal justice by reversing prior parole and sentencing policies while establishing new victim support funding. The key change is replacing prior sentencing reforms with this new grant program for crime survivors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals Incarceration Reduction and Second Look Amendments (key criminal justice reforms), weakening reform efforts. Victim services program is unrelated to reform stance.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health care services for crime survivors via $200k annual grants, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jan 21, 2025

HR 578: Sarah’s Law

HR 578, "Sarah’s Law," requires mandatory detention for certain non-citizens (aliens) charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It directly affects non-citizens facing such charges and their victims' families. Key provisions mandate that the Department of Homeland Security detain these individuals immediately and notify victims or their closest living relatives (like parents or spouses) about the alien’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. The bill adds specific categories of non-citizens to the mandatory detention list, including those whose visas were revoked or who are deportable for prior immigration violations. This creates a formal process for victim notification while expanding detention requirements under immigration law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with violent crimes, reducing defendant rights and increasing restrictive measures without rehabilitation focus.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with violent crimes, increasing immigration enforcement against this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6173: Public Transit Crime Prevention Act

This bill creates federal crimes targeting vandalism and assaults on public transit systems. It makes damaging vehicles or facilities with graffiti punishable by up to 5 years in prison (10 years for repeat offenses or $1,000+ damage), and assaults on workers or passengers punishable by 5-20 years (15-20 years with weapons, injury, or prior convictions). Courts must order full restitution for property damage. The law applies only to transit systems using federal funds, affecting interstate commerce, or involved in commerce.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences (up to 20 years) for transit crimes, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProtects public transit systems by criminalizing vandalism and assaults, enhancing transportation safety for infrastructure and users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Violent Crime Public Transit Rail Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Jan 14, 2025

HR 395: Justice for Rape Survivors Act

HR 395, the Justice for Rape Survivors Act, mandates a minimum 30-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse under federal law. It directly affects those found guilty of these specific crimes by replacing current sentencing language with a fixed 30-year minimum term. The bill amends Title 18, United States Code, sections 2241 (aggravated sexual abuse) and 2242 (sexual abuse), requiring courts to impose at least 30 years in prison or life imprisonment for these offenses. This policy change increases the minimum sentence for these crimes without altering the definitions of the offenses themselves.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 30-year minimum sentence for sexual abuse, increasing mandatory sentencing without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights

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