Bill · H.R. 8746· House(119-HR-8746)
VICTIM Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/12/2026
- Last activity
- 5/12/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Dwight Evans
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Attorney General to establish a grant program aimed at improving the clearance rates of homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. The program will provide funds to various law enforcement agencies for projects such as hiring personnel, upgrading technology, and providing victim services. It includes specific requirements for training, evidence processing, and supporting officers experiencing trauma. The Attorney General is tasked with ensuring funds reach both rural and urban areas, with specific percentages set aside for Tribal and rural entities. The bill also mandates regular audits and evaluations to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
Specifically mandates a minimum of 5% of funds for Tribal law enforcement and prosecuting offices.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+6
Mandates the provision of disability access supports for victims.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+5
Specifically mandates disability access supports for victims in the criminal justice process.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
New forensic and investigative technologies could potentially infringe on privacy.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Creates a new grant program involving an annual appropriation of $60 million.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
Upgrades in forensic and investigative technology may pose risks to individual privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Crime Investigation: Grants can be used to hire and train personnel specifically for investigating homicides and firearm-srelated violent crimes, or to upgrade forensic and investigative technology (Section 2(b)(4)(A-D)).
-
Victim Support Services: The bill allows for funding to ensure victims and their families have access to emergency needs like food, housing, clothing, and transportation (Section 2(b)(4)(K)).
-
Comprehensive Victim Care: Funds can be used to provide medical and psychological wellness, ongoing counseling, and legal advice to victims and their families (Section 2(b)(4)(M)).
-
Protection of Rights: The bill includes provisions for developing policies that safeguard civil rights and civil liberties during the evidence collection and testing process (Section 2(b)(4)(H)).
-
Officer Wellness: The program can establish support systems for officers who experience stress or trauma from investigating violent crimes (Section 2(b)(4)(I)).
-
Accessibility for All: It provides for language and disability access supports to help victims and families participate in the criminal justice process (Section 2(b)(4)(O)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Risk of Misused Funds: There is a possibility of waste, fraud, or abuse of funds, which the Inspector General is tasked to monitor through audits (Section 2(g)(2)(B)).
-
Exclusion from Funding: Agencies found to have unresolved audit findings regarding unauthorized expenditures will be ineligible to receive grant funds for the following fiscal year (Section 2(g)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Immigrants+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For African Americans+2Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Policing Reform+3Improves Affordable Housing+2Improves Poverty Reduction+2Improves Racial Equity+2Reduces Homelessness+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+4Improves Healthcare Access+3Increases Research Funding+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Improves Due Process+3Increases Federal Power+2Improves Privacy Rights-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4Improves Data Privacy-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+2
- 5/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska