Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act
A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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
This bill is known as the Domestic Violence Survivors Alerted For Emergency Notice Act or the Domestic Violence SAFE Notice Act. The legislation requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to establish a firearms access victim notification system. This system will notify registered crime victims when an offender attempts to buy a firearm, gets a firearm transferred to them, or experiences changes to their legal firearm status like a pardon. The bill also creates a grant program to help States and Tribes upgrade their own victim notification systems to report background check denials and status changes. Legal guardians or representatives may act on behalf of victims who are under 18, incompetent, or incapacitated, though offenders are strictly prohibited from serving in this role. Finally, the legislation authorizes specific appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 to carry out the grant program.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
Because the vast majority of domestic violence victims are women, this notification system directly enhances their safety and awareness.
- Scored +5
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill establishes a robust notification system tracking firearm purchase attempts and status changes by prohibited domestic offenders.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill establishes clear reporting requirements and pilot program evaluations to inform Congress and the public about victim notification efficacy.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would gun owners be better off under this?
Gun owners subject to background checks or domestic violence prohibitions face increased tracking and notification mechanisms regarding their status.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the right to own guns?
While maintaining lawful rights, the bill increases tracking and oversight of firearm transactions by individuals with domestic violence prohibitions.
- Scored -2
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The system requires the retention and transmission of sensitive background check data across multiple agencies, raising potential data management concerns.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Registration and Control for Victims: Under Section 2, the bill creates a system allowing crime victims harmed by specific offenses to voluntarily register for and deregister at will from notifications regarding firearms-related activity by their offender. This gives individuals direct control over whether they receive timely safety alerts.
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Protection for Vulnerable Victims: Under Section 2, the legislation ensures that if a crime victim is under 18 years of age, incompetent, or incapacitated, their legal guardians or authorized representatives can register for notifications on their behalf. Crucially, the bill explicitly prohibits the offender from serving as the legal guardian or representative for the victim.
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Access to Vital Support Resources: Under Section 2, notifications issued to crime victims must include contact information for the hotline described in section 313 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. This directly connects survivors with emergency help and support resources.
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Grants to Upgrade Local Systems: Under Section 3, the Attorney General is directed to make grants to eligible States and Tribes to upgrade their victim notification systems. This provision helps local jurisdictions build the capacity to notify victims when an offender or respondent attempts to acquire a firearm or successfully receives one.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Burdens on State and Local Governments: Under Section 3, eligible entities receiving grant funds must implement mandatory notification activities and maintain the victim notification system for not fewer than three years. This places administrative and operational requirements on participating State and Tribal governments.
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Potential Privacy and Data Concerns: Under Section 2, the system retains information transmitted from the National Instant Background Check System for up to 24 hours following the issuance of a notification to a crime victim. While intended for notification purposes, the sharing of sensitive background check data across multiple agencies carries inherent data management burdens.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes clear reporting requirements and pilot program evaluations to inform Congress and the public about victim notification efficacy. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The notification system explicitly accounts for reversals, appeals, and pardons, ensuring notifications reflect up-to-date legal statuses. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Section 3 provides grants directly to States and Tribes to upgrade and manage their own local victim notification systems. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation expands federal agency responsibilities through the FBI and Attorney General to coordinate national victim notification systems.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — Because the vast majority of domestic violence victims are women, this notification system directly enhances their safety and awareness. Would children be better off under this? — The bill permits legal guardians to act on behalf of minor victims under 18 while strictly prohibiting offenders from serving in that role. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation provides specialized protections and representative registration options for victims who are incapacitated or incompetent. Would gun owners be better off under this? — Gun owners subject to background checks or domestic violence prohibitions face increased tracking and notification mechanisms regarding their status.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill establishes a robust notification system tracking firearm purchase attempts and status changes by prohibited domestic offenders. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — By addressing domestic violence firearm notifications, the bill helps protect predominantly female victims of domestic abuse. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill explicitly allows legal guardians or representatives to manage notifications on behalf of victims who are incompetent or incapacitated. Does this protect the right to own guns? — While maintaining lawful rights, the bill increases tracking and oversight of firearm transactions by individuals with domestic violence prohibitions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation connects survivors with emergency help and specialized support resources through mandatory hotline information sharing. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Notifications provided to crime victims include contact information for domestic violence support hotlines and resources.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill authorizes specific appropriations and grants with oversight and reporting requirements to ensure funds are used effectively.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The system requires the retention and transmission of sensitive background check data across multiple agencies, raising potential data management concerns.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon