Bill · S. 4500· Senate(119-S-4500)
VICTIM Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/12/2026
- Last activity
- 5/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- John Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Attorney General to establish a grant program within the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The program provides funds to state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies to improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Eligible projects include hiring personnel, upgrading technology, and providing support services for victims and their families. The Act also mandates specific reporting requirements, oversight through audits, and evaluations by the National Institute of Justice. It aims to distribute funds across rural and urban areas, with specific allocations for tribal and rural entities.
Yes· 3 of 15
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically mandates that at least 5 percent of funds be awarded to Tribal law enforcement and prosecuting offices.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill requires providing disability access to victims and their families.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill mandates that at least 5 percent of funds be used for rural law enforcement agencies.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes significant new federal spending through a $60,000,000 annual grant program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Crime Investigation: Grant recipients can use funds to hire and train additional personnel and experts to investigate homicides and firearm-s-related violent crimes, as well as to improve the collection and processing of evidence (Section 2(b)(4)(A, C, F, G)).
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Modernized Technology: Funds can be used to acquire, upgrade, or replace investigative and forensic testing equipment to improve clearance rates (Section 2(b)(4)(D)).
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Victim Support Services: The bill allows for programs that provide victims of firearm-related violent crimes and families of homicide victims with access to emergency food, housing, clothing, travel, and transportation (Section 2(b)(4)(K)).
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Comprehensive Victim Care: Grants can fund services that promote medical and psychological wellness, ongoing counseling, legal advice, and financial compensation (Section 2(b)(4)(M)).
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Enhanced Victim Accessibility: The act supports providing language and disability access to ensure victims and their families can participate in the criminal justice process (Section 2(b)(4)(O)).
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Officer Wellness: The program can establish initiatives to support officers who experience stress or trauma from investigating violent crimes (Section 2(b)(4)(I)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Fund Misuse: There is a potential for waste, fraud, and abuse of funds, which the Inspector General is tasked to audit against (Section 2(g)(2)(B)).
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Civil Rights Concerns: The bill acknowledges the need for policies to ensure that the collection, processing, and forensic testing of evidence does not violate civil rights and civil liberties (Section 2(b)(4)(H)).
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+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Young Adults+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Policing Reform+4Improves Affordable Housing+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Privacy Rights+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Reduces Government Spending-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+2
- 5/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey