S.Amdt. 4194

This amendment, submitted by Mrs. Blackburn, aims to preserve the use of cash bail and ensure the detention of individuals charged with violent or dangerous crimes. It adds a new title to H.R. 6938 focused on the Preservation of Cash Bail.

States and Local Governments

The amendment seeks to stop the Attorney General from awarding, renewing, or extending grants to any state or local government that has a law or policy that "substantially limits cash bail" for individuals charged with "covered offenses." These offenses include:

• Violent or sexual acts, such as murder, rape, sexual assault, carjacking, robbery, burglary, or assault.
• Acts promoting public disorder, such as looting, vandalism, destruction of property, rioting, inciting to riot, or fleeing from law enforcement.

District of Columbia

The amendment introduces the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2026, which mandates the following for the District of Columbia:

• Mandatory Detention: Judicial officers must order that any person charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime be detained before trial.
• Cash Bail Requirements: Individuals charged with "public safety or order crimes" can only be released if they execute a secured appearance bond (which involves forfeiting property or money to ensure they appear in court).
• Updated Definitions: It modifies the legal definitions of "dangerous crime" and "crime of violence" specifically regarding burglary and robbery to include first-degree offenses or those involving dangerous weapons.