Bill > HR198

This bill establishes the SERVE Our Communities Grant Program, which authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to states and local governments that take steps to reduce repeat violent offenses. To be eligible for these grants, jurisdictions must allow courts or magistrates to consider an individual's potential danger to the community when setting bail or pretrial release conditions. Additionally, eligible entities must have implemented measures in the previous year to prevent repeat offenses, such as passing laws that consider community safety in bail decisions, hiring more law enforcement and prosecution staff, or creating public education programs to improve community-police relations. Grant recipients can use the funds for purposes outlined in the Second Chance Act of 2007, which typically involves supporting reentry programs and reducing recidivism. The bill authorizes $10 million in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2031 to support this grant program. The definitions of "State" and "unit of local government" follow those established in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/198/all-info