Logan's Law
- Bill Number
- S. 4462
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-09T05:23:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled Logan's Law (S. 4462), aims to create a national, publicly accessible database tracking individuals convicted of violent crimes to enhance public safety. It also promotes better sharing of criminal records among states and between states and the federal government.
Key Provisions
- Title I: Violent Criminal Offender Database
- Definitions: A "qualifying conviction" is any state or federal conviction for a crime punishable by more than 180 days in prison that involves (or risks) physical force against people or property. Excludes convictions that are expunged (erased from records), pardoned, or otherwise nullified.
- Database Establishment: The U.S. Attorney General must create the "Violent Criminal Offender Database" within 180 days of enactment. It includes federal and state records, is free and public, and is searchable by details like name, address, date of birth, race, conviction type, sentence details, probation status, and more.
- Updates and Maintenance: Updated at least quarterly; individuals are removed if their conviction no longer qualifies.
- State Requirements: States receiving Byrne JAG grants (federal funding for law enforcement) must submit qualifying conviction data within 180 days and ongoing. Non-compliant states lose funding, which may be redirected to local governments.
- Title II: Federal Efforts to Increase Data Sharing
- The Attorney General must submit a report to Congress within 180 days, covering current criminal record sharing processes, barriers to sharing, recommendations for improvements, and ways to prevent light sentences for repeat offenders due to missing records.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new national public database for violent crime convictions, distinct from existing systems like the FBI's criminal history records (which are not fully public or searchable in this way).
- Links Byrne JAG grant funding to mandatory data submission, creating financial penalties for non-compliance—a new enforcement mechanism.
- Mandates a congressional report on interstate data sharing, potentially leading to future laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorney General gain responsibility for building, maintaining, and updating the database; states face data submission burdens or funding losses.
- Citizens: Public gains free access to detailed offender information, potentially improving personal safety (e.g., for hiring, housing, or neighborhood awareness); convicted individuals may face stigma or restrictions.
- No direct international relations impacts noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with qualifying convictions: Their personal and criminal details become publicly searchable.
- States and local governments: Must submit data to retain federal grants; non-compliance risks fund diversion.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors: Benefit from improved data sharing to track repeat offenders.
- General public: Primary beneficiaries via enhanced transparency and safety tools.
- DOJ and FBI: Tasked with database operations, leveraging existing records.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Privacy and Due Process: Public access to sensitive data (e.g., race, address) could raise privacy rights concerns under the U.S. Constitution (e.g., potential challenges via the Fourth or Fourteenth Amendments); includes safeguards like removal for expunged convictions.
- Federalism: Ties federal funds to state actions, pressuring compliance without direct mandates.
- Political: Emphasizes "tough on crime" approach, named after a presumed victim ("Logan"), likely to appeal in public safety debates; report could spur further legislation on interstate records.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Logan's Law — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (8 pages)