lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-03-26 00:00:00

Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act of 2015 or the REDEEM Act

Amends the federal criminal code to provide a process for the sealing or expungement of records relating to nonviolent criminal or juvenile offenses.

Requires a court considering a petition to seal a nonviolent offense to balance factors including the harm of the protected information to the ability of the petitioner to secure and maintain employment.

Sets forth limitations on involuntary room confinements at juvenile detention facilities.

Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) to remove offenses relating to possession or use of a controlled substance from the categories of drug offenses that result in the convicted individual being ineligible for assistance under: (1) a state program funded with temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) grants under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act; or (2) the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) or any state program carried out under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

Prohibits the denial of such assistance and benefits if the convicted individual: (1) has completed, is participating in, or agrees to enroll in a substance abuse treatment program; (2) is a custodial parent; (3) is suffering from a serious illness; (4) is pregnant; or (5) is in compliance with the terms of a sentence imposed for the conviction. Includes employment services among the categories of federal benefits that are not to be denied under PRWORA.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ), in awarding public safety and community policing grants, to give preferential consideration to an applicant in a state with laws similar to this Act.

Directs DOJ to establish procedures for the prompt release of accurate records exchanged for employment-related purposes through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's background check system. Requires DOJ to: (1) obtain the consent of an individual to whom a record pertains as a condition to exchanging records with an entity requesting the information for employment, housing, or credit application purposes; and (2) allow individuals to challenge the accuracy and completeness of their records.

Prohibits exchanges of records regarding: (1) an arrest more than two years before a record request if the record does not also include the disposition of that arrest; (2) non-serious offenses, such as drunkenness, vagrancy, loitering, disturbing the peace, or curfew violations; or (3) circumstances that are not clearly arrests or dispositions.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-04-21 00:00:00

Aaron's Law Act of 2015

 Amends provisions of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) prohibiting computer fraud to replace the phrase "exceeds authorized access" with "access without authorization," which is defined as obtaining information on a protected computer that the accesser lacks authorization to obtain by knowingly circumventing one or more technological or physical measures that are designed to exclude or prevent unauthorized individuals from obtaining that information.

Modifies CFAA penalty provisions to: (1) limit the imposition of enhanced penalties to subsequent offenses under such Act (currently, additional penalties are allowed if there is a conviction for another offense) and to criminal acts punishable under federal or state law by a term of imprisonment for more than one year; and (2) require the determination of the value of information for enhanced penalty purposes to be made by reference to fair market value.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-04-29 00:00:00

Taxpayer Identity Theft Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2015

 Amends the federal criminal code to include certain felony violations under the Internal Revenue Code as aggravated identity theft, including the following offenses when committed in connection with the filing of a tax return: (1) conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims; (2) false, fictitious or fraudulent claims; and (3) conspiracy to commit any offense against, or to defraud, the United States.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-04-29 00:00:00

Nicole's Law of 2015

 Requires states to have in effect laws and policies to extend protections similar to those afforded to victims of domestic violence to victims of a sex offense who are not in a familiar or dating relationship with the perpetrator of such offense.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-05-14 00:00:00

National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015

 Establishes the National Criminal Justice Commission.

Directs the Commission to: (1) undertake a comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including federal, state, local, and tribal governments' criminal justice costs, practices, and policies; (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in federal oversight, policies, practices, and laws designed to prevent, deter, and reduce crime and violence, reduce recidivism, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure the interests of justice at every step of the criminal justice system; and (3) disseminate to the federal government and to state, local, and tribal governments a report that details its findings and supplemental guidance regarding the criminal justice system at all levels of government.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Commission should work toward unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-06-02 00:00:00

Prioritizing Online Threat Enforcement Act of 2015

Directs the Attorney General to ensure:

 that there are at least 10 additional operational agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) designated to support the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the investigation and coordination of cybercrimes against persons; that each office of a U.S. Attorney designates at least one Assistant U.S. Attorney as responsible for investigating and prosecuting cybercrimes against persons; and the implementation of a regular and comprehensive training program to train FBI agents in the investigation and prosecution of, and the enforcement of laws related to, cybercrimes against persons, including relevant forensic training related to investigating and prosecuting such crimes. Makes additional funding available to the FBI, the Attorney General, and DOJ's Criminal Division for FY2016-FY2020 to: (1) hire and train law enforcement officers to investigate cybercrimes against person and assist in the prosecution of such crimes; and (2) enable relevant DOJ units to procure advanced tools of forensic science and expert computer forensic assistance to investigate, prosecute, and study such crimes.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-06-23 00:00:00

Veterans Protection Enhancement Act

This bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend the federal sentencing guidelines to provide for a two-level sentencing increase if the defendant intentionally selected any victim or any property because of the victim's military service or veteran status.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-06-25 00:00:00

Sensenbrenner-Scott Over-Criminalization Task Force Safe, Accountable, Fair, Effective Justice Reinvestment Act of 2015 or the Sensenbrenner-Scott SAFE Justice Reinvestment Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to: (1) compile and publish federal law violations with criminal penalties, (2) reduce over-federalization of criminal conduct and over-incarceration due to pretrial detention, (3) create a online complaint process to challenge prosecutions and (4) create training and best practices for prosecutors and law enforcement officers that reduce the inaccuracy and unreliability of evidence in criminal cases.

It prohibits sentencing courts from considering defendant's acquitted conduct and grants discretion to disregard manipulated conduct involving the Controlled Substances Act.

It reauthorizes the Innocence Protection Act of 2001 for FY2016-FY2021.

The bill expands pre-judgment probation, safety valve, and compassionate release eligibility.

It creates problem-solving courts, establishes a presumption of probation for certain non-violent first-time offenders, and limits prior drug offenses that trigger enhanced mandatory minimum prison terms.

It limits application of drug offense mandatory minimums to drug trafficking organization leaders, organizers, or employees. (Drug offenses include unlawful import, export, manufacture, or distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.)

It also reduces from life to 35 years the maximum mandatory minimum for certain drug offenses.

The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 applies retroactively to permit resentencing of a convicted crack cocaine offender sentenced before August 3, 2010.

DOJ must develop a post-sentencing risk and needs assessment system.

 The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must provide residential substance abuse treatment to all eligible offenders.

The bill establishes a standardized graduated sanctioning system for supervised release or probation violations. It eliminates mandatory revocation for certain minor violations and creates a performance-incentive funding program for judicial districts.

BOP may grant 54 days of good time credit regardless of satisfactory GED progress. Probation officers may award positive reinforcement (e.g. discharge credits) for compliance with terms of supervision.

The bill adds one non-voting, public defender member to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Health
Date: 2015-07-13 00:00:00

Stop Tobacco Sales to Youth Act of 2015

Amends the Jenkins Act to include within the definition of "cigarette" electronic cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco.

Defines "electronic cigarette" to mean any electronic device that delivers nicotine, flavor, or other substance via an aerosolized solution (including an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah) to the user inhaling from the device, excluding any product that: (1) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product or for another therapeutic purpose, and (2) is marketed and sold solely for such a therapeutic purpose.

Makes specified exceptions with respect to Indian tribes and tribal matters.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-07-29 00:00:00

Prevent Repeat Offenders Act of 2015

This bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that: (1) any alien who is required to register under such Act is registered in the National Sex Offender Registry and is informed of the registration requirements under such Act before such alien may be released from the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and (2) the release of such an alien is conditioned on such alien's registration in each jurisdiction required by such Act.

DHS is also required to ensure that the chief law enforcement officer of each jurisdiction in which such an alien resides and the agency responsible for the receipt or maintenance of sex offender registration information in such jurisdiction are promptly notified when such an alien is: (1) taken into custody by ICE, (2) released from ICE custody, or (3) removed from the United States.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-07-29 00:00:00

Stopping Over-Criminalization Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a default mens rea (guilty mind) standard for a federal criminal offense, unless the provision of law that defines such offense specifically provides otherwise.

A federal criminal offense conviction requires proof that a defendant acted knowingly with respect to each element of the offense. If a defendant might lack reasonable awareness that conduct (e.g., a regulatory offense) is criminally punishable, then a conviction requires proof that the defendant had reason to know the conduct was unlawful.

Additionally, the bill amends the federal judicial code to: (1) require the Department of Justice to develop, publish, and update an inventory of all federal criminal offenses, including agency rules that carry criminal penalties; and (2) prohibit prosecuting a defendant for a non-inventoried federal offense.

Finally, it amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval by joint resolution for a new rule with criminal penalties to take effect.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-10-08 00:00:00

Sentencing Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to reduce from 20 to 15 years and from life to 25 years the mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses. (A drug offense includes the unlawful import, export, manufacture, or distribution of, or the possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance.)

Additionally, it establishes an enhanced mandatory prison term of up to five years for a drug offense involving heroin that contains fentanyl or fentanyl that is represented or sold as heroin.

The bill limits the prior convictions which trigger enhanced mandatory minimum prison terms.

(Sec. 3) The bill amends the federal criminal code to expand safety valve eligibility to permit a court to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug defendants with a limited criminal history.

(Sec. 4) A court may impose a reduced 5-year (instead of a statutory 10-year) mandatory minimum prison term for certain nonviolent, cooperative defendants convicted of a high-level first-time or low-level repeat drug offense. (A high-level drug offense involves a very substantial drug quantity, such as one kilogram or more of heroin. A low-level drug offense involves a substantial drug quantity, such as 100 grams to 999 grams of heroin.)

It reduces the enhanced mandatory minimum prison term for certain defendants who commit a high-level repeat drug offense, use a firearm in a crime of violence or drug offense after a prior conviction for such offense, or unlawfully possess a firearm after three or more prior convictions. It permits retroactive application of such reductions for defendants without a prior serious violent felony conviction, after a court considers certain factors.

(Sec. 5) The bill reduces from 25 to 15 years the mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who uses a firearm in a crime of violence or drug offense after a prior conviction for such offense. A court may apply the reductions retroactively, subject to certain exceptions, after considering certain factors.

 (Sec. 6) It reduces from 15 to 10 years the enhanced mandatory minimum prison term for an armed career criminal convicted of unlawful firearm possession after three prior convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses. A court may apply the reductions retroactively, after considering certain factors.

(Sec. 7) The bill makes the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive to permit resentencing of a convicted crack cocaine offender sentenced before August 3, 2010.

(Sec. 8) The Department of Justice must report to Congress on mandatory minimum sentencing provisions under federal law. (Sec. 9) It expresses the sense of Congress that a comprehensive strategy to reform the criminal justice system must integrate a mental health component.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-11-16 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Criminal Code Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a default mens rea standard (i.e., a state of mind requirement) for a federal criminal offense whose defining statute does not specify a required state of mind. A conviction for such federal criminal offense requires proof that a defendant acted knowingly.

Additionally, if the offense consists of conduct that a reasonable person would not know or have reason to believe was unlawful, then a conviction requires proof that the defendant knew or had reason to believe such conduct was unlawful.

The bill establishes definitions for the terms "state" and "serious bodily injury" that are generally applicable with respect to federal criminal law. It eliminates various repeated definitions of such terms.

(Sec. 5) It eliminates references to the Canal Zone (i.e., the Panama Canal Zone).

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the federal judicial code to require the Department of Justice to develop and update, index, and publish an inventory of all federal criminal offenses, including violations of agency rules or regulations that constitute or define federal criminal offenses.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-11-18 00:00:00

Interstate Swatting Hoax Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to use a telecommunications system, the mails, or another facility of interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly report false or misleading information with the intent to cause an emergency law enforcement response.

A violator is subject to criminal and civil penalties.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-12-15 00:00:00

Police Agency Investigation Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to create within the Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Civil Rights Division an Office of Police Agency Investigations to investigate alleged patterns or practices of police conduct that violate constitutional rights.

Additionally, it amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the allowable use of grant funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to include complying with a judgment or consent decree pursuant to a pattern-or-practice investigation. DOJ may award additional grants to COPS grant recipients to comply with such judgments or consent decrees.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2016-01-05 00:00:00

Historic Routes Preservation Act

This bill requires that any person, including a state, local government, company, or individual, that asserts public acceptance of a right-of-way granted for the construction of highways over public lands must file a claim within a 25-year period.

The bill sets forth a procedure for conclusively verifying, proving, and establishing the acceptance of such rights-of-way.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-03-15 00:00:00

Cybercrime Enforcement Training Assistance Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals. A cybercrime against an individual is a criminal offense that involves use of a computer, including a computer network or interactive electronic device, to harm an individual.

DOJ must also award a grant to a nonprofit private cybercrime organization to establish and maintain the National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals. It must provide technical assistance and training resources, maintain a resource library, and conduct research to improve the capacity of governments, communities, and individuals to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-04-18 00:00:00

Firearm Due Process Protection Act

This bill amends the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act to establish a 60-day time limit for the Department of Justice to make a final disposition of a request to correct a record in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. With respect to violations of that limit, the bill establishes a private right to action.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-04-21 00:00:00

This bill directs the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to combat cybercrime, including recommendations for a definition of cybercrime and a federal agency to lead cybercrime investigations.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-05-19 00:00:00

DUE PROCESS Act of 2016 or the Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to federal civil forfeiture cases. Specifically, the bill:

 raises the evidentiary standard in such cases from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence"; with respect to property owners who are indigent, provides for the appointment of counsel; provides for recovery of attorney's fees with respect to settled claims in which the claimant prevails; adds specified notice requirements; and expedites and otherwise modifies certain procedures. The Department of Justice must: (1) annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases, and (2) establish a publicly available database with respect to seizures in such cases.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-05-25 00:00:00

Stopping Mass Hacking Act

This bill rejects an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-07-13 00:00:00

Stop Tobacco Smuggling in the Insular Areas Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam trafficking in contraband cigarettes and contraband smokeless tobacco. "Contraband" means items for which the applicable taxes have not been paid.
Topic: Law and Crime — Criminal & Civil Code
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-07-14 00:00:00

Resource Management Practices Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to bar prosecution in cases involving damage to or destruction of federal property by fire if:

 the fire is set by a person to the person's own property, either to prevent an imminent threat of damage to the property or as part of any generally accepted practice for managing vegetation on timber, grazing, or farm land; the fire neither results in death or serious bodily injury nor poses a serious threat of bodily injury or damage to any building, dwelling, or vehicle of the United States; and no individual under 16 years of age is used in setting the fire.