Crime Bills On The Move This Summer
By Charlotte Spencer
Plenty of bills are proposed that never become law. This summer, however, several crime and law enforcement bills have made progress in the process of becoming law. Here are the summer’s top movers so far in terms of bills that focus on crime and law enforcement.
Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2021
- Passed the House on 6/23/2021 and moved to the Senate on 6/24/2021.
If made law, this would amend the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act by adding and authorizing the Elder Justice Initiative. The Elder Justice Initiative would be a permanent program to coordinate criminal enforcement and public engagement efforts to combat elder abuse and types of fraud targeting the elderly. It would also require the Attorney General to designate an Elder Justice Coordinator within the Department of Justice. It would also mandate associated online public resources, a telephone hotline, Spanish language resources, legal aid, and tribal consultation.
Criminal Judicial Administration Act of 2021
- Passed the House on 6/23/2021 and moved to the Senate on 6/24/2021.
If made law, this would amend 18 U.S.C. §4285 and §3401 to provide for transportation and subsistence for criminal justice defendants. This would assure that defendants unable to afford transportation, lodging, and food would be given sufficient transportation, lodging and food for proceedings at which that defendant is required to appear. This would also include post judgement motions and sentencing.
- Passed the House on 6/23/2021 and moved to the Senate on 6/24/2021.
If made law, this would amend the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (42 U.S.C. § 1997e) to exempt prisoners under 22 from certain requirements of the inmate grievance procedure. Prisoners under 22 would not be required to exhaust all administrative remedies before filing a federal lawsuit regarding the condition of their imprisonment. This exemption would also apply to prisoners over 22 in cases where the condition occurred before they turned 22.
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2021
- Passed the House on 6/22/2021 and moved to the Senate on 6/23/2021.
If made law, this would amend 18 U.S.C. Chapter 63 to directly address fraud against veterans. This amendment would impose up to 5 years in prison plus fines for defrauding veterans of their benefits. This would also include attempts at such crimes.
Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021
- Passed the Senate on 6/10/2021 and held at the desk in the House on 6/14/2021.
If made law, this would amend 34 U.S.C. §10281 through §10306 to adjust payments made to public safety officers who have become permanently disabled as a result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. These amendments would increase certain payments and also address investigations into such matters.
- Passed the Senate on 6/7/2021 and held at the desk in the House on 6/11/2021.
If made law, this would impose requirements on law enforcement peer support counseling programs, including prohibiting disclosing contents of peer support communications. It would also require the Department of Justice to develop best practices and professional standards for peer support counseling programs. This would still allow for disclosure of communications in the following cases:
- All parties consented to disclosure.
- Intent to die by suicide.
- Threat of serious bodily harm or death to another.
- Abuse and neglect of children, older, or vulnerable people required to be reported by law.
- Subpoena.
- Other legal obligation to disclose information.
Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act
- Passed the Senate on 5/28/2021 and held at the desk in the House on 6/1/2021.
If made law, this would amend 18 U.S.C. to add extraterritorial jurisdiction over the conduct already prohibited. This would include assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers as described in §111; influencing, impeding, or retaliating against federal officials by threatening or injuring a family member as described in §115; and killing or attempting to kill an officer or employee of the United States as described in §1114.
The information provided in this article should not be considered legal advice or a substitute for legal advice. Biometrica is not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice.