Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8976
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T19:46:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to improve the treatment of women in the criminal justice system by promoting gender-responsive and trauma-informed practices. It addresses issues such as protecting children during arrests, supporting family ties, offering alternatives to incarceration, reforming conspiracy penalties, enhancing health care and conditions in prisons, and improving reentry support.
Key Provisions
- Title I – Gender-Informed Arrest and Law Enforcement Practices: Requires federal officers to allow arrested parents to arrange care for minor children before involving child welfare agencies (except in cases of suspected abuse). Establishes grants for states to train law enforcement on gender-informed practices, including trauma awareness and domestic violence responses. Creates a grant program to recruit and retain more women in law enforcement through updated hiring processes and support like child care.
- Title II – Family Reunification to Reduce Recidivism and Protect Children: Amends bail considerations to account for impacts on minor children. Allows temporary releases from custody for medical care, family visits, or court proceedings related to children. Updates child welfare rules to extend timelines for filing termination of parental rights petitions and prioritizes family preservation, especially when incarceration is a factor.
- Title III – Gender-Informed Alternatives to Incarceration: Introduces a federal pretrial diversion program that diverts eligible individuals into supervised plans focused on employment, housing, education, trauma treatment, and other needs, with options for record expungement upon success.
- Title IV – Conspiracy Reform Act – Fixing the "Girlfriend Problem": Caps penalties for drug conspiracy offenses at five years or the underlying offense level. Increases judicial discretion to sentence below mandatory minimums in certain cases involving fear of harm or lack of substantial assistance. Clarifies that sentencing considers only the defendant's own acts or jointly undertaken acts known to them, and limits use of acquitted or dismissed charges.
- Title V – Gender-Responsive and Trauma-Informed Imposition of a Sentence: Adds requirements for sentencing to consider trauma history, substance use, mental health, and gender-responsive needs like education and treatment.
- Title VI – Gender-Responsive Prison Reform: Mandates specialized health care for incarcerated women, including screenings for reproductive health, cancer risks, and other conditions. Requires trauma-informed training, screenings, and therapy programs. Sets standards for gender-responsive staffing, programs, facility conditions, nutrition, discipline policies, and access to parenting programs for mothers. Includes reporting requirements on compliance and representation.
- Title VII – Gender-Informed Reentry Reform: Focuses residential reentry placements on family access and safety needs. Requires gender-informed training for probation officers and emphasizes rehabilitation in supervision. Allows modifications to supervised release conditions based on factors like parental duties or health issues.
- Title VIII – Definitions: Defines terms like "gender-responsive," "trauma-informed," and "victim-centered" based on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidelines.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends multiple sections of the U.S. Code, including Title 18 (criminal procedure and prisons), Title 21 (controlled substances), and the Social Security Act. It introduces new provisions, such as protections during arrests, pretrial diversion options, and limits on conspiracy penalties. It expands judicial authority in sentencing and modifies child custody timelines to favor family reunification over faster termination of rights. Grant programs and training mandates are added to laws like the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Bureau of Prisons would face requirements for new health screenings, trauma programs, staffing increases, facility upgrades, and reporting. Law enforcement agencies would need to implement training and hiring changes, supported by federal grants. Courts and probation services would handle more diversion cases and adjusted sentencing considerations. States could receive funding but risk losing eligibility for noncompliance with training rules.
- On Citizens: Women involved in the justice system and their children could benefit from better protections for family ties, alternatives to jail, improved prison conditions, and reentry support, potentially reducing recidivism and trauma. Broader effects might include changes in how conspiracy cases involving less culpable individuals are handled.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Incarcerated women, female juveniles, and their families, including children in foster care or kinship placements.
- Federal law enforcement officers, Bureau of Prisons staff, and probation officers.
- Federal courts, judges, and pretrial services.
- State and local law enforcement agencies and child welfare systems.
- Advocacy organizations focused on women, trauma survivors, and criminal justice reform.
- Congress and appropriations committees overseeing funding and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill emphasizes constitutional protections in areas like bail decisions, conditions of confinement (e.g., humane treatment and access to care), and sentencing to avoid undue punishment. It may raise questions about federal authority over state practices through grant conditions and could influence interpretations of mandatory minimum sentences and conspiracy liability. Politically, it highlights gender-specific reforms in the justice system, particularly addressing family impacts and trauma, while creating new oversight and funding mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (66 pages)