Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act
- Bill Number
- S. 736
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T01:31:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation seeks to strengthen penalties for supplying cell phones or similar devices in federal correctional facilities and to improve related prison policies aimed at reducing contraband.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is named the "Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act."
- Penalty Increase: It amends section 1791(b) of title 18, United States Code, to add a new penalty of up to 2 years in prison (or both fine and imprisonment) for providing a prohibited phone under subsection (a)(1), specifically referencing phones listed in subsection (d)(1)(F).
- Paragraph Redesignation: Existing penalty paragraphs are renumbered, and language is adjusted to clarify application to different types of violations.
- Policy Review Requirement: Within one year of enactment, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons must review and update agency policies on inmates who make, possess, or attempt to obtain prohibited objects, with the goal of better protecting incarcerated individuals and staff.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a specific, standalone penalty tier for cell phone violations that was not previously detailed in this section.
- Adjusts the structure of penalty provisions to separate phone-related offenses from other contraband categories.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Directs the Bureau of Prisons to revise internal procedures, which could lead to updated security measures and training.
- Citizens and Incarcerated Individuals: May result in stricter enforcement against contraband, potentially affecting those involved in violations while aiming to enhance safety for staff and inmates.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Bureau of Prisons and its staff, who must implement policy changes.
- Incarcerated individuals and those attempting to provide phones.
- Broader law enforcement and correctional facility operators handling contraband cases.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Expands federal criminal penalties under existing contraband statutes, increasing potential sentences for phone-related offenses.
- Focuses on administrative updates by a federal agency without altering constitutional rights or creating new regulatory frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (17)
Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Held at the desk.
- 2026-06-15: Received in the House.
- 2026-06-12: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-06-10: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2723, S2726; text: CR S2726)
- 2026-06-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- 2026-05-19: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 410.
- 2026-05-19: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
- 2026-05-19: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
- 2026-05-14: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-02-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (2 pages)
- Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (4 pages)