What does Preamble of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To provide for improvements in the treatment of women in the legal system,' aims to improve the treatment of women within the legal system. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 21, 2026.

What does PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AT ARREST. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Chapter 203 of title 18, United States Code, by adding section 3065. Section 3065 requires federal law enforcement officers to permit arrested custodial parents or guardians to arrange for the care of their minor or dependent children. This includes providing access to a telephone and phone numbers to secure care. Officers are generally prohibited from referring the child to a child welfare agency unless the parent/guardian cannot arrange care or the officer suspects abuse or neglect. A drug-related charge alone does not constitute sufficient cause to suspect abuse or neglect.

What does GRANT PROGRAM FOR GENDER-INFORMED TRAINING OF LOCAL LAW of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section establishes a grant program under Part PP of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The Attorney General may provide grants to states for gender-responsive law enforcement training. Training curricula must be developed within 180 days of the section's effective date, in consultation with various stakeholders. States are required to provide annual training sessions on gender-informed policing practices for law enforcement academy attendees (at least 8 hours) and other officers (at least 4 hours). Training must cover topics including trauma, domestic violence response, interrogation techniques, the impact of race and class, and the needs of pregnant persons. States must certify completion of training sessions to the Attorney General within two years of receiving a grant. States failing to comply with training requirements are ineligible for future grants. Grant funds can be used for training costs, continuing education, overtime for smaller agencies, and compliance certification mechanisms.

What does REPRESENTATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section establishes a grant program to improve the recruitment and retention of women law enforcement officers. The Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services must make a grant within 60 days of the Act's enactment to an eligible law enforcement agency. Grant funds can be used for activities such as reviewing hiring practices, creating inclusive recruitment materials, and conducting outreach to groups with predominantly women. Eligible activities also include providing on-site child care, improving parental leave policies, establishing mentoring programs, and training staff on diversity and implicit bias. The Act authorizes $5,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.

What does PARENT-FOCUSED BAIL REFORM. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Section 3142(g)(3)(A) of title 18, United States Code. The amendment inserts language regarding minor or dependent children into the existing text. The added language directs consideration of the potential negative impact of detention on a child, including potential loss of custody.

What does TEMPORARY RELEASE FROM IMPRISONMENT TO MAINTAIN COMMUNITY of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Title 18, United States Code, by replacing section 3622 with new provisions regarding temporary release from imprisonment. The Bureau of Prisons and the United States Marshals Service are authorized to release individuals for limited periods under specific conditions. Permissible purposes for temporary release include obtaining medical treatment, establishing/reestablishing family or community ties, attending court proceedings concerning juvenile custody, visiting a dying relative or attending a funeral, contacting a prospective employer, participating in training/educational programs, or working at paid employment. Release periods are capped at thirty days without specific authorization for some purposes and seven days for others. A judicial officer is authorized to grant release petitions, setting conditions to ensure safety and justice. Release is contingent on consistency with the sentence's purpose and Sentencing Commission policy statements, unless a risk of flight or harm is demonstrated. The term 'imprisonment' is defined broadly to include custodial detention, juvenile official detention, and community supervision.

What does UPDATING CUSTODY REQUIREMENTS TO PRESERVE FAMILIES. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Section 475(5)(E) of the Social Security Act. The amendment modifies the timeframe for considering parental rights modification or termination, extending it to 24 consecutive months in foster care when the child is not in the care of kin. The State must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that services have been provided to the family and that modification or termination is in the child’s best interest. If a child is living with a kinship caregiver, the State agency must provide an opportunity for the caregiver to express their views on modification or termination and document this in the case plan. The State may not file a petition for modification or termination if a parent is actively engaged in services addressing the reasons for foster care, or if the reason is primarily due to parental incarceration, detention by Homeland Security, or deportation.

What does FEDERAL PRETRIAL DIVERSION. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends title 18 of the United States Code to add a new section establishing a framework for federal pretrial diversion. The legislation defines key terms including 'criminal case,' 'divertee,' 'pretrial diversion,' 'diversionary disposition,' and 'recidivism reduction plan'. A 'recidivism reduction plan' must include supervision, and may include classes, treatment, programs, and assistance tailored to the divertee’s needs, including employment assistance, housing support, and mental health services. The Court may divert a criminal case into a pretrial diversion program upon application by the defendant, the government, or the Court itself. Participation in the program requires a voluntary agreement from the divertee, waiver of the right to a speedy trial, and legal representation. If a divertee successfully completes the recidivism reduction plan, the Court may enter a diversionary disposition, which could include dismissal of charges or a sentence without incarceration. Information obtained during pretrial diversion is generally confidential and cannot be used against the divertee, except in termination proceedings.

What does FOCUSING PENALTIES FOR DRUG CONSPIRACY. of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Section 406 of the Controlled Substances Act. It also amends Section 1013 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. The amendments modify penalties for offenses related to attempts or conspiracies involving controlled substances. Penalties under these sections are now limited to fines under Title 18, imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both. The penalty for an offense under these sections cannot exceed the penalty for the underlying substantive offense.

What does INCREASING JUDICIAL DISCRETION TO SENTENCE LESS CULPABLE of Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act do?

This section amends Section 3553(e) of Title 18, United States Code, to modify the process for imposing sentences below statutory minimums. The amendment allows the court, sua sponte or on the motion of a party, to impose a sentence below the statutory minimum if the defendant demonstrates certain conditions related to providing assistance or fear of bodily harm. These conditions include demonstrating a reasonable fear of serious bodily injury, the prosecution failing to demonstrate useful information, or providing substantial assistance without a government motion. The amendment also modifies sentencing guidelines application for sentences imposed under this provision. Section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act is amended to define the type and quantity of controlled or counterfeit substances for conspiracy offenses based on the defendant's and co-conspirators' actions. Section 1010 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act is similarly amended to address the type and quantity of substances involved in conspiracy offenses.

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Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act

Last updated: 5/21/2026 · Introduced: 5/21/2026

Author: Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill requires federal law enforcement officers to allow arrested custodial parents to arrange childcare, prohibiting referrals to child welfare agencies unless abuse or neglect is suspected.
It establishes a grant program to fund gender-responsive law enforcement training for states, covering topics like trauma, domestic violence, and the needs of pregnant individuals.
The bill creates a grant program to improve the recruitment and retention of women in law enforcement by supporting inclusive hiring practices and providing benefits like on-site childcare.
It amends existing law to direct courts to consider the potential negative impact of detention on a child, including potential loss of custody, when determining bail.
The bill expands temporary release from imprisonment to allow individuals to address family matters, attend court proceedings concerning juvenile custody, or participate in training programs.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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