120th Congress

1st Session   

                          

                                  H.R. _______

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To Restore Public Safety, Strengthen Community-Based Crime Prevention, and Empower Local Law Enforcement and Residents to Address Violent Crime and Disorder.

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                   IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                      March 15, 2027

Dr. Edgardo Baez (for himself, Mr. __________, Mr. ________, Mr. ________ of Texas) introduced the following bill: which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

                         _____________________________

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                                      A BILL

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To Restore Public Safety, Strengthen Community-Based Crime Prevention, and Empower Local Law Enforcement and Residents to Address Violent Crime and Disorder.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

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This Act may be cited as the “Restoring Safety and Community Empowerment Act” or the “RSCE Act.”

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SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

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Congress finds the following:

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(1) Public safety is a fundamental civil right and prerequisite for the exercise of all other rights.

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(2) Many American communities have experienced unacceptable levels of violent crime, open-air drug markets, disorder, and fear since 2020.

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(3) Effective crime reduction requires a balanced approach that combines robust law enforcement, swift prosecution, meaningful community partnerships, evidence-based prevention, and targeted intervention.

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(4) Local communities and their elected officials are best positioned to determine the appropriate mix of enforcement, prevention, and intervention strategies for their jurisdictions.

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(5) The purpose of this Act is to empower communities, support law enforcement, ensure swift and certain justice for violent offenders, and invest in proven violence interruption and prevention programs.

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SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

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In this Act:

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(1) “Violent felony” has the meaning given that term in section 924(e)(2)(B) of title 18, United States Code.

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(2) “Serious drug offense” has the meaning given that term in section 924(e)(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code.

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(3) “Community-based organization” means a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated record of providing direct services in high-violence neighborhoods.

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SECTION 4. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

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Establishment.

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The Attorney General shall establish a Community Safety and Empowerment Block Grant Program to award flexible grants to units of local government and tribal governments.

Permitted Uses.

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Grant funds may be used for any of the following purposes, as determined by the local jurisdiction:

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(1) Hiring, retention, and training of police officers

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(2) Community violence intervention and interruption programs

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(3) Victim services and witness protection

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(4) Hot-spot policing and problem-oriented policing initiatives

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(5) ShotSpotter or other gunshot detection technology

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(6) Youth employment, mentoring, and after-school programs

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(7) Substance use disorder treatment and overdose prevention

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(8) Code enforcement and nuisance abatement programs

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(9) Any other evidence-informed strategy to reduce violent crime and improve public safety

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Application.

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Local governments shall submit a brief application that includes:

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(1) A public safety plan with measurable goals; and

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(2) A commitment to report crime and arrest data disaggregated by offense type.

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No strings attached, minimum.

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Not less than 70% of funds shall be allocated by formula based on violent crime rates (2019–2024 baseline), with the remainder awarded competitively.

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SECTION 5. VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION AND PROSECUTION INITIATIVE

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Federal Partnership Program.

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The Attorney General shall establish a program providing:

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(1) Additional Assistant United States Attorneys to prosecute violent felonies and serious drug offenses in high-violence federal districts;

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(2) Project Safe Neighborhoods funding targeted specifically at firearm-related violent crime;

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(3) Technical assistance for vertical prosecution units.

Firearm Trafficking Strike Forces.

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The Attorney General shall expand and permanently fund ATF firearm trafficking strike force teams in the 50 highest-violence metropolitan statistical areas.

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SECTION 6. SWIFT AND CERTAIN SANCTIONS FOR REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS

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Federal Minimum for Certain Repeat Violent Offenders.

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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted of a violent felony or serious drug offense who has previously been convicted of 2 or more violent felonies or serious drug offenses shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years (first qualifying conviction after enactment) or 25 years (second or subsequent).

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Encouragement of State Adoption.

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The Attorney General shall provide additional Byrne JAG funding incentives to States that enact sentencing provisions substantially similar to subsection (a).

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SECTION 7. RESTORATION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY

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Clarification of Federal Civil Rights Law.

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Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

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“The good-faith enforcement of generally applicable state or local laws regulating public order, including but not limited to laws concerning trespass, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, loitering for the purpose of prostitution or narcotics sales, and public urination/defecation, shall not, standing alone, constitute a deprivation of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.”

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Limitation on Consent Decrees.

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Federal courts shall not enter or extend prospective relief in any action challenging law enforcement practices relating to quality-of-life offenses unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence a pattern or practice of constitutional violations.

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SECTION 8. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROSECUTORS

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Public Reporting.

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Every 90 days, each elected or appointed chief prosecutor receiving Byrne JAG funding shall publicly report:

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(1) Number of felony cases declined for prosecution,

categorized by offense type;

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(2) Number of pleas offers made vs. accepted for violent felonies;

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(3) Number of cases dismissed on prosecutorial motion (nolle prosequi), categorized by offense.

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Sunshine Provision.

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All such data shall be posted on a public website in machine-readable format.

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SECTION 9. YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION GRANT PROGRAM

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Authorization.

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There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 annually for grants to community-based organizations and local governments for evidence-based violence prevention and intervention programs, with priority given to hospital-based violence intervention programs, street outreach, and credible messenger initiatives.

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Evaluation.

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The Attorney General shall commission rigorous, independent evaluations of funded programs.

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SECTION 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

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There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

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SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE

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Except as otherwise provided, this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment.