Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act
A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act aims to improve how women are treated throughout the legal system. It establishes gender-informed practices for law enforcement arrests, training, and recruitment. The bill introduces reforms for bail, sentencing, and drug conspiracy penalties to reduce unnecessary incarceration. It mandates comprehensive, gender-responsive healthcare and trauma-informed care within the Bureau of Prisons. Additionally, it expands programs for incarcerated mothers and improves reentry services to support family reunification.
Yes· 3 of 35
- Scored +10
Would women be better off under this?
The entire bill is dedicated to improving the treatment, health, and legal rights of women.
- Scored +9
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
Specifically targets systemic gender disparities in the criminal justice system.
- Scored +9
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Ensures incarcerated women have access to specialized OB/GYN care and cancer screenings.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Authorizes new grant funding for law enforcement training and prison reforms.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Children: Federal officers must allow custodial parents to make childcare arrangements during an arrest and cannot refer children to welfare agencies unless the parent cannot find care or there is suspected abuse or neglect (Section 101).
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Law Enforcement Training: Provides grants for officers to receive evidence-based training on trauma, domestic violence, and the specific needs of pregnant persons (Section 102).
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Family Preservation: Prevents the state from terminating parental rights based principally on a parent's incarceration or detention by the Department of Homeland Security (Section 203).
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Diversion Options: Creates a federal pretrial diversion program that offers alternatives to prosecution, including assistance with housing, employment, and mental health treatment (Section 301).
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Sentencing Reform: Limits penalties for drug conspiracy to a maximum of 5 years or the penalty of the underlying offense, whichever is lower, to address the "girlfriend problem" (Section 401).
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Healthcare Access: Mandates that incarcerated women have access to specialized obstetric and gynecological care, including screenings for breast and cervical cancer (Section 601).
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Trauma Support: Requires the implementation of trauma-informed therapy and counseling programs for those who have experienced abuse or PTSD (Section 602).
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Maternal Support: Expands eligibility for the Residential Parenting Program and the Mothers and Infants Nurturing Together Program for incarcerated persons who have given birth (Section 610).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Waiver of Rights: To participate in the federal pretrial diversion program, individuals must sign a waiver of their right to a speedy trial (Section 301(c)(2)).
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 women be better off under this? — The entire bill is dedicated to improving the treatment, health, and legal rights of women. Would children be better off under this? — Protects children from immediate welfare referral during parental arrest and preserves family ties. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Mandates the Resolve Trauma Therapy Program be offered in Spanish. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides critical support services like housing and employment assistance to the justice-involved. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Addresses racial disparities in law enforcement and provides gender-responsive care for women of color. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Improves systemic treatment of women regardless of ethnicity. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Improves treatment and sentencing for women in the legal system. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Improves systemic treatment of women regardless of ethnicity. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Improves systemic treatment of women regardless of ethnicity. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides pretrial diversion and rehabilitation alternatives to incarceration. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Prevents termination of parental rights based principally on DHS detention or deportation. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Requires ADA compliance for dental care and trauma-informed treatment. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Includes specific health screenings for postmenopausal persons. Would students be better off under this? — Provides assistance with education programs and loan applications.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Specifically targets systemic gender disparities in the criminal justice system. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — Limits drug conspiracy penalties and increases judicial discretion for less culpable individuals. Does this change how police departments operate? — Establishes gender-informed training for law enforcement on trauma and domestic violence. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Addresses racial disparities in arrests and mandates disaggregated reporting by race. Does this make child care cost less? — Provides on-site child care at law enforcement academies. Does this make housing cost less? — Provides assistance with locating and maintaining housing for divertees. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Requires dental care to comply with ADA standards and considers disability in diversion eligibility. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides vocational training and employment assistance to reduce economic marginality. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Offers housing assistance as part of recidivism reduction plans. Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — Assists justice-involved individuals in registering to vote. Does this protect the right to vote? — Provides assistance for divertees to register to vote or restore voting rights.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Ensures incarcerated women have access to specialized OB/GYN care and cancer screenings. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Mandates trauma-informed therapy and mental health services for incarcerated women. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Includes substance use treatment as part of recidivism reduction plans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Prohibits medical records from being used for criminal investigations or prosecutions. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Establishes clearer rules for drug conspiracy culpability and sentencing discretion. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates multiple annual reports on prison conditions, sanctions, and program access. Does this give the federal government more power? — Sets new federal standards for Bureau of Prisons and law enforcement training.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — Provides assistance with higher education loan applications. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — Provides assistance with internet access as part of recidivism reduction plans.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Provides assistance with seeking and maintaining employment for participants in pretrial diversion. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Authorizes new grant funding for law enforcement training and prison reforms.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey