S. 2705: Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act

This bill, known as the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, proposes changes to federal grant provisions related to crime control. Specifically, the bill aims to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by imposing conditions on the awarding of federal grants, known as Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, to states and local governments.

Key Provisions

• Grant Conditions: The bill stipulates that the Attorney General cannot award grants to any state or local government that has a policy or law that substantially limits the use of cash bail for individuals charged with certain serious criminal offenses.
• Definition of Covered Offenses: The bill specifies what constitutes a "covered offense," which includes:
  • Violent or sexual crimes such as murder, rape, sexual assault, carjacking, robbery, burglary, and assault.
  • Public disorder-related offenses like looting, vandalism, destruction of property, rioting, or fleeing from law enforcement.
• Implementation Timeline: These provisions would begin to take effect for grants awarded for the fiscal year starting October 1 after the bill is enacted and would continue for subsequent fiscal years.

Impact of the Bill

The main goal of the bill is to ensure that states and local governments do not implement policies that could be seen as allowing individuals charged with serious crimes to be released without sufficient financial accountability, specifically through cash bail systems. By attaching these conditions to federal funding, the legislation seeks to influence local criminal justice practices regarding bail.

Relevant Companies

None found.