A Democratic bill with 14 Democratic cosponsors · See all 14 cosponsors
Last activity — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1568)
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The bill establishes a new Justice Department grant program aimed at lowering the number of people held in local jails and the length of time they spend there. It provides funding for analysis, planning, and implementing strategies such as reducing the use of cash bail and expanding diversion programs. Grantees must meet specific targets for lowering incarceration rates and addressing equity disparities over the course of the grant. The legislation also prioritizes jurisdictions with the highest incarceration rates and those seeking to prevent the expansion of jail bed capacity. Finally, the bill authorizes specific funding amounts for these planning and implementation grants through fiscal year 2030.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill mandates that grantees implement methodologies to reduce equity disparities in jail incarceration across all races and ethnicities.
- Scored +7
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The act aims to reduce jail populations through diversion programs and changes to pretrial conditions.
- Scored +6
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a)(2)(A) provides funding for reducing the use of cash bail, which could directly benefit individuals who cannot afford bail by helping them avoid unnecessary pre-trial incarceration.
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Section 2(a)(2)(E) ensures the early assignment of counsel and the presence of counsel at an individual's first court appearance or bail hearing, which provides better legal protection and advocacy for people interacting with the justice system.
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Section 2(a)(2)(G) creates or expands diversion programs that do not require a guilty plea and do not use jail as a sanction for noncompliance, offering individuals alternative paths instead of traditional incarceration.
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Section 3(a)(6) requires grantees to use financial savings created through decreased incarceration to sustain programmatic and community-based efforts, putting resources back into local communities to support individuals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3(b)(1) mandates that if a grantee fails to meet the required incarceration rate and equity disparities reduction goals in two consecutive years, the Attorney General must terminate the award, which could abruptly strip funding from local programs meant to help people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the reduction of racial and ethnic equity disparities in the jail system. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Reducing cash bail and increasing pretrial services can disproportionately benefit low-income individuals facing legal issues.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates that grantees implement methodologies to reduce equity disparities in jail incarceration across all races and ethnicities. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The act aims to reduce jail populations through diversion programs and changes to pretrial conditions. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill encourages justice reinvestment and reduces reliance on incarceration through community-led strategies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill enhances due process by ensuring early assignment of counsel and presence of counsel at initial hearings. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires strategic plans to be public-facing and involves rigorous data collection and evaluation. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the Attorney General to oversee and potentially terminate local grants based on specific performance metrics.
- 4/10/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1568)
- 4/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 14 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida