Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act
The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would change federal funding rules for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program. Starting with the fiscal year after enactment, the Attorney General would be barred from awarding, renewing, or extending JAG funds to any state or unit of local government that has a policy or law substantially limiting cash bail as a condition for every individual charged with certain serious offenses. The bill defines a set of “covered offenses” (including violent and sexual offenses like murder, rape, carjacking, robbery, burglary, assault, and offenses that promote public disorder such as looting or rioting). In short, jurisdictions that limit cash bail for people charged with these offenses would become ineligible for JAG funding.
Key Points
- 1Creates a funding condition: States and localities that substantially limit cash bail for individuals charged with covered offenses would be ineligible for JAG grants.
- 2Covered offenses defined: Includes violent or sexual crimes (e.g., murder, rape, sexual assault, carjacking, robbery, burglary, assault) and offenses that promote disorder (e.g., looting, vandalism, rioting, fleeing from law enforcement).
- 3Effective date: The prohibition applies to the fiscal year beginning after enactment of the bill and each subsequent year.
- 4Federal grant mechanics: The prohibition applies to awarding, renewing, or extending grants under the JAG subpart administered by the Department of Justice.
- 5Purpose/intent: The sponsor frame is to “keep violent criminals off our streets” by tying access to federal crime-prevention funding to support for cash bail rather than bail reform policies.