PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congressional Research Service
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People & committees
Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1] · R–NE
Legislative record
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Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Oct 7, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-24 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed Karly Rain Wood Act would create a national registration and public notification system for people with final convictions for at least two qualifying offenses, or one qualifying offense and one serious drug offense. Qualifying offenses include listed violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault, as well as specified firearm and explosives offenses, subject to exceptions. Covered people would have to keep their registrations current for life, excluding time in custody or civil commitment. States and participating Tribes would maintain registries, and the public could search registration information online, subject to specified privacy exclusions.
establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of repeat violent felons
The term repeat violent felon means an individual who—has received a final conviction of— (A) not fewer than 2 qualifying offenses; or (B) not fewer than 1 qualifying offense and not fewer than 1 serious drug offense.
The term qualifying offense— (A) means— (i) arson; (ii) murder; (iii) voluntary manslaughter; (iv) kidnapping; (v) aggravated assault; (vi) a forcible sexual offense; (vii) robbery; (viii) extortion; (ix) the unlawful use or unlawful possession of a firearm; (x) the use or unlawful possession of explosive material (as defined in section 841 of title 18, United States Code); (xi) assault with intent to commit rape; (xii) a serious violent felony; and (xiii) the use of a firearm, during and in relation to, or in furtherance of an offense described in clauses (i) through (xii); and (B) does not include an excepted offense.
A repeat violent felon shall keep the registration required under this Act current for the life of the repeat violent felon (excluding any time the repeat violent felon is in custody or civilly committed).
The term jurisdiction means— (A) a State; and (B) an Indian Tribe that elects to qualify as a jurisdiction for the purposes of this Act under section 13(a)(1).
each jurisdiction shall maintain a jurisdiction-wide repeat violent felon registry
Subject to subsection (b), each jurisdiction shall make available on the internet, in a manner that is readily accessible to all jurisdictions and to the public, a public website that includes all information about each repeat violent felon in the registry of the jurisdiction.
The bill names the proposal the Karly Rain Wood Act and states that its purpose is public protection through registration, in response to the attack on Karly Rain Wood. This is a stated purpose, not evidence that the proposed system would achieve that result.
This Act may be cited as the Karly Rain Wood Act.
The purpose of this Act is to protect the public from repeat violent felons by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of repeat violent felons in response to the vicious attack of Karly Rain Wood.
Coverage would require a final conviction involving at least two qualifying offenses, or at least one qualifying offense and one serious drug offense. Qualifying offenses include the listed violent crimes, unlawful firearm use or possession, use or unlawful possession of explosives, and certain firearm-related conduct. Several important definitions come from existing statutes rather than being reproduced in the bill.
The term repeat violent felon means an individual who—has received a final conviction of— (A) not fewer than 2 qualifying offenses; or (B) not fewer than 1 qualifying offense and not fewer than 1 serious drug offense.
The term qualifying offense— (A) means— (i) arson; (ii) murder; (iii) voluntary manslaughter; (iv) kidnapping; (v) aggravated assault; (vi) a forcible sexual offense; (vii) robbery; (viii) extortion; (ix) the unlawful use or unlawful possession of a firearm; (x) the use or unlawful possession of explosive material (as defined in section 841 of title 18, United States Code); (xi) assault with intent to commit rape; (xii) a serious violent felony; and (xiii) the use of a firearm, during and in relation to, or in furtherance of an offense described in clauses (i) through (xii); and (B) does not include an excepted offense.
The terms arson, assault with intent to commit rape, extortion, firearms use, serious violent felony, serious drug offense and State have the meanings given those terms in section 3559(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code.
The term firearm has the meaning given the term in section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
The proposed exclusions cover specified robbery-related and miscellaneous violent offenses when the defendant proves by clear and convincing evidence that no dangerous weapon was used or threatened and nobody died or suffered serious bodily injury. Arson would be excluded when the defendant meets that proof standard for both the absence of a threat to human life and a reasonable belief that no such threat existed.
The term excepted offense means— (A) robbery, an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit robbery, or a miscellaneous violent offense for which the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that— (i) no firearm or other dangerous weapon was used in the offense and no threat of use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon was involved in the offense; and (ii) the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of title 18, United States Code) to any person; and (B) arson for which the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that— (i) the offense posed no threat to human life; and (ii) the defendant reasonably believed the offense posed no threat to human life.
The term miscellaneous violent offense means an offense punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years or more that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another or that, by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.
The proposal's jurisdictions would be States and federally recognized Tribes that elect to participate as jurisdictions. Employment would include self-employment and unpaid work. Student status would include enrollment or attendance at public or private secondary, trade, professional, and higher-education institutions.
The term jurisdiction means— (A) a State; and (B) an Indian Tribe that elects to qualify as a jurisdiction for the purposes of this Act under section 13(a)(1).
The term Indian Tribe means a federally recognized Indian Tribe.
The term employee includes an individual who is self-employed or works for any other entity, whether compensated or not.
The term student means an individual who enrolls in or attends an educational institution, including (whether public or private) a secondary school, trade or professional school, and institution of higher education.
The Attorney General would establish the registration and notification program within the Department of Justice, coordinate jurisdiction registries, and issue implementing guidance and regulations. Each jurisdiction would have to maintain a registry by the implementation deadline.
The Attorney General shall establish a program within the Department of Justice to be known as the Karly Rain Wood Repeat Violent Felon Registration and Notification Program.
the Attorney General shall coordinate with jurisdictions in maintaining the registries required under subsection (b).
The Attorney General shall issue guidance and promulgate regulations to carry out this Act.
Not later than the date prescribed under section 11(a), each jurisdiction shall maintain a jurisdiction-wide repeat violent felon registry under which a repeat violent felon shall be required to comply with the registration requirements under section 5.
Covered people would have to register wherever they live, work, or study. For initial registration only, they would also have to register in each jurisdiction of conviction if it differs from where they live.
A repeat violent felon shall register and keep the registration current in each jurisdiction where the repeat violent felon— (1) resides; (2) is an employee; and (3) is a student.
For initial registration purposes only, a repeat violent felon shall register in each jurisdiction in which the repeat violent felon is convicted if such jurisdiction is different from the jurisdiction in which the repeat violent felon resides.
Initial registration would be due before completing the prison sentence for the offense triggering registration, or within three business days after sentencing if there is no prison term. The Attorney General could specify how requirements apply to earlier convictions or implementation in particular jurisdictions, and set registration rules for people unable to meet the initial-registration requirements.
A repeat violent felon required to register under this Act shall submit an initial registration to each required registry— (A) before completing a sentence of imprisonment with respect to the offense giving rise to the registration requirement; or (B) if the repeat violent felon is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, not later than 3 business days after being sentenced for that offense.
The Attorney General may— (A) specify the applicability of— (i) the requirements of this Act to repeat violent felons convicted before the enactment of this Act; or (ii) the implementation of this Act in a particular jurisdiction; and (B) prescribe rules for the registration of any repeat violent felon who is unable to comply with this paragraph.
Registrants would have to supply names and aliases, Social Security numbers, current or planned home, work, and school addresses, vehicle information, and detailed plans for foreign travel. The Attorney General could require additional information.
A registration by a repeat violent felon shall include— (A) the name of the repeat violent felon (including any alias used by the individual); (B) the social security number of the repeat violent felon; (C) the address of each residence at which the repeat violent felon resides or will reside; (D) the name and address of any place where the repeat violent felon is an employee or will be an employee; (E) the name and address of any place where the repeat violent felon is a student or will be a student; (F) the license plate number and a description of any vehicle owned or operated by the repeat violent felon;
(G) information relating to intended travel of the repeat violent felon outside the United States, including any anticipated dates and places of departure, arrival, or return, carrier and flight numbers for air travel, destination country and address or other contact information therein, means and purpose of travel, and any other itinerary or other travel-related information determined appropriate by the Attorney General; and (H) any other information determined appropriate by the Attorney General.
Jurisdictions would add a physical description, the laws defining the registered offenses, criminal history and supervision information, outstanding warrants, a current photograph, fingerprints and palm prints, a DNA sample, and a copy of a valid jurisdiction-issued license or identification card. The Attorney General could require additional information.
Each jurisdiction in which a repeat violent felon registers shall include in the registry with respect to the repeat violent felon— (A) a physical description of the repeat violent felon; (B) the text of the provision of law defining each criminal offense for which the repeat violent felon is registered; (C) the criminal history of the repeat violent felon, including— (i) the date of all arrests and convictions; (ii) the status of parole, probation, or supervised release; (iii) registration status; and (iv) the existence of any outstanding arrest warrants for the repeat violent felon; (D) an up-to-date photograph of the repeat violent felon; (E) a set of fingerprints and palm prints of the repeat violent felon; (F) a DNA sample of the repeat violent felon; (G) a photocopy of a valid driver's license or identification card issued to the repeat violent felon by a jurisdiction; and (H) any other information determined appropriate by the Attorney General.
Registration would last for the person's life, excluding time in custody or civil commitment. At least every 90 days after initial registration, the person would have to appear in person in at least one registration jurisdiction, permit a new photograph, and verify information for every required registry.
Not less frequently than once every 90 days after the date on which a repeat violent offender completes initial registration in accordance with this Act, the repeat violent felon shall— (1) appear in person in a facility of not less than 1 jurisdiction in which the repeat violent felon is registered; (2) allow the jurisdiction to take an up-to-date photograph; and (3) verify the information in each registry in which the repeat violent felon is required to be registered.
A repeat violent felon shall keep the registration required under this Act current for the life of the repeat violent felon (excluding any time the repeat violent felon is in custody or civilly committed).
Changes in name, student status, residence, or employment location would have to be reported in person to at least one registration jurisdiction within three business days. That jurisdiction would immediately notify the others. Registrants would have to supply and update required personal information, including foreign travel plans, according to any timing and manner requirements prescribed by the Attorney General.
Not later than 3 business days after the date on which a repeat violent felon has a change in name, student status, or place of residence or employment, the repeat violent felon shall appear in person in not fewer than 1 jurisdiction in which the repeat violent felon is registered to inform the jurisdiction of the change.
A jurisdiction receiving information of a change from a repeat violent felon under paragraph (1) shall immediately inform each other jurisdiction in which the repeat violent felon is registered of the change.
A repeat violent felon shall provide and update information required under subsection (c)(1), including information relating to intended travel outside the United States required under subsection (c)(1)(G), in conformity with any time and manner requirements prescribed by the Attorney General.
Each jurisdiction other than a federally recognized Tribe would have to provide a criminal penalty for noncompliance with a maximum prison term greater than one year; this does not prescribe a minimum sentence. Officials would have to report noncompliance to the Attorney General and appropriate law enforcement agencies, update the registry, and take appropriate compliance action.
Each jurisdiction, other than a federally recognized Indian Tribe, shall provide a criminal penalty that includes a maximum term of imprisonment that is greater than 1 year for the failure of a repeat violent felon to comply with the requirements of this Act.
If a repeat violent felon fails to comply with the requirements of this Act, an appropriate official of the relevant jurisdiction shall— (A) notify the Attorney General and appropriate law enforcement agencies; and (B) revise the registry of the jurisdiction to reflect the failure.
The appropriate official described in paragraph (2), the Attorney General, and each appropriate law enforcement agency shall take any appropriate action to ensure compliance of a repeat violent felon with the requirements of this Act.
Shortly before release, or immediately after sentencing when the person is not in custody, an official would explain registration duties, require a signed acknowledgment, and ensure registration. The Attorney General would have to establish notification rules for people who cannot be registered through that process.
Shortly before the release of a repeat violent felon from custody, or, if the repeat violent felon is not in custody, immediately after the sentencing of the repeat violent felon for the offense giving rise to the duty to register, an appropriate official shall— (1) inform the repeat violent felon of the duties of a repeat violent felon under this Act and explain those duties; (2) require the repeat violent felon to read and sign a form stating that the duty to register has been explained and that the repeat violent felon understands the registration requirement; and (3) ensure that the repeat violent felon is registered.
The Attorney General shall prescribe rules for the notification of repeat violent felons who cannot be registered in accordance with subsection (a).
Jurisdiction websites would publish registry information and support searches by ZIP Code or a user-selected geographic radius. They would have to withhold sex-offense victims' identities, registrants' Social Security numbers, arrests that did not result in conviction, and any additional information exempted by the Attorney General. Jurisdictions would also participate in the national website.
Subject to subsection (b), each jurisdiction shall make available on the internet, in a manner that is readily accessible to all jurisdictions and to the public, a public website that includes all information about each repeat violent felon in the registry of the jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction shall maintain the website required under paragraph (1) in a manner that will permit the public to obtain relevant information for each repeat violent felon by a single query for any given ZIP Code or geographic radius set by the user.
Each jurisdiction shall— (A) include in the design of the website required under paragraph (1) all field search capabilities needed for full participation in the national website; and (B) participate in the national website as provided by the Attorney General.
A jurisdiction shall exempt from disclosure on the internet website required under subsection (a)(1)— (1) the identity of any victim of a sex offense; (2) the social security number of a repeat violent felon; (3) any reference to arrests of a repeat violent felon that did not result in conviction; and (4) any other information exempted from disclosure by the Attorney General.
Public registry websites would have to explain how to request corrections and warn against using registry information to unlawfully harm, harass, or commit crimes against listed people or people at listed addresses. They would also link to safety and education resources where practicable.
Each internet website required under subsection (a)(1) shall include, to the extent practicable, links to repeat violent felon safety and education resources.
Each internet website required under subsection (a)(1) shall include instructions on how to seek correction of information that an individual contends is erroneous.
Each internet website required under subsection (a)(1) shall include a warning that— (1) instructs that information on the website should not be used to unlawfully injure, harass, or commit a crime against any individual named in the registry or residing or working at any reported address; and (2) notes that any action described in paragraph (1) could result in civil or criminal penalties.
The Attorney General would maintain a national registry within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a national public website. The database would also cover other people required to register by a jurisdiction, and the website would include other people listed on jurisdiction websites. Updated information would be sent immediately to relevant jurisdictions, and national geographic searches would operate under limits set by the Attorney General.
The Attorney General shall maintain a national database to be known as the National Repeat Violent Felon Registry within the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the registration of— (A) each repeat violent felon; and (B) any other individual required to register in the registry of a jurisdiction.
The Attorney General shall ensure through the National Repeat Violent Felon Registry or otherwise that updated information about a repeat violent felon is immediately transmitted by electronic forwarding to each relevant jurisdiction.
The Attorney General shall establish and maintain a website to be known as the National Repeat Violent Felon Public Website.
The national website shall— (A) include relevant information for— (i) each repeat violent felon; and (ii) any other individual included on the website of a jurisdiction established under section 7(a)(1); (B) allow the public to obtain relevant information for each repeat violent felon by a single query for any given ZIP Code or geographical radius set by the user in a form and with such limitations as may be established by the Attorney General; and (C) have such other field search capabilities as the Attorney General determines appropriate.
A Justice Department community notification program would require immediate sharing of nonexempt registration information with the Attorney General, relevant police and probation agencies, schools, public housing agencies, jurisdictions, specified background-check agencies, child-welfare entities, relevant volunteer organizations, and anyone requesting notification through jurisdiction procedures. Volunteer organizations and other requesting recipients could choose notifications at intervals no longer than five business days.
There is established within the Department of Justice a program to be known as the Repeat Violent Felon Community Notification Program.
Except as provided in subsection (c), immediately upon a repeat violent felon registering or updating a registration, an appropriate official in the jurisdiction of the relevant registry shall provide the information in the registry (other than information exempted from disclosure under section 7(b)) with respect to the repeat violent felon to the following:
(1) The Attorney General for inclusion in the National Repeat Violent Felon Registry and other appropriate databases. (2) Appropriate law enforcement agencies (including appropriate probation agencies) and each school and public housing agency in each area in which the repeat violent felon resides, is an employee, or is a student. (3) Each jurisdiction where the repeat violent felon resides, is an employee, or is a student, and each jurisdiction from or to which a change of residence, employment, or student status occurs. (4) Any agency responsible for conducting employment-related background checks under section 3 of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (34 U.S.C. 40102). (5) Social service entities responsible for protecting minors in the child welfare system in any relevant jurisdiction. (6) Volunteer organizations in which contact with minors or other vulnerable individuals might occur in any relevant jurisdiction. (7) Any organization, company, or individual who requests such notification pursuant to procedures established by the jurisdiction.
An organization, company, or individual described in subsection (b)(6) or (b)(7) may opt to receive the notification described in that subsection not less frequently than once every 5 business days.
Within two years after enactment, the Attorney General would have to develop and support registry and website software in consultation with jurisdictions. It would support immediate information exchange, public access including current registration counts, compliance, and community notifications.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with jurisdictions, shall develop and support software to enable jurisdictions to establish and operate uniform registries and websites required under section 7(a)(1).
The software developed and maintained under subsection (a) shall facilitate— (1) the immediate exchange of information among jurisdictions; (2) public access over the internet to appropriate information, including the number of registered repeat violent felons in each jurisdiction on a current basis; (3) full compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (4) communication of information under the notification program.
Jurisdictions would have to implement the proposal by the later of three years after enactment or one year after the federal software becomes available. The Attorney General could grant up to two one-year extensions.
Each jurisdiction shall implement the requirements of this Act not later than the later of— (1) 3 years after the date of enactment; and (2) 1 year after the date on which the software developed under section 10(a) is available for use by jurisdictions.
The Attorney General may authorize for a jurisdiction not more than 2 1-year extensions of the deadline for implementation prescribed under subsection (a).
After a jurisdiction's implementation deadline, failure to substantially implement the proposal would trigger a 10% reduction in the specified federal criminal-justice funding for affected fiscal years, subject to the constitutional-conflict provisions. The Attorney General could return withheld amounts to that jurisdiction solely for implementation. Directions to States and State officials would be treated as conditions for avoiding this funding reduction.
Subject to subsection (d), for any fiscal year beginning after the date on which a jurisdiction is required to begin to implement the requirements of this Act, if the jurisdiction fails, as determined by the Attorney General, to substantially implement this Act, the Attorney General shall reduce the amounts that would otherwise be allocated for that fiscal year to the jurisdiction under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.) by 10 percent.
The Attorney General may reallocate amounts not allocated to a jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph (1) to that jurisdiction to be used solely for the purpose of implementing the requirements of this Act.
The provisions of this Act directing States or officials of States shall be construed to constitute conditions required to avoid the reduction of Federal funding described in subsection (c)(1).
The Attorney General would have to consider implementation barriers established by a jurisdiction's highest court under its own constitution. The Attorney General and jurisdiction would have to seek a good-faith resolution, and the Attorney General could accept compliance through two reasonable alternative procedures or accommodations consistent with the proposal's purposes, including alternatives still being implemented. Consultation with the jurisdiction's chief executive and chief legal officer would also be required when considering likely constitutional conflicts.
the Attorney General shall consider whether the jurisdiction is unable to substantially implement those requirements because of a demonstrated inability to implement certain provisions that would place the jurisdiction in violation of the constitution of the jurisdiction, as determined by a ruling of the highest court of the jurisdiction.
(i) the Attorney General and the jurisdiction shall make good faith efforts to accomplish substantial implementation of this Act and to reconcile any conflicts between this Act and the constitution of the jurisdiction; and (ii) the Attorney General may determine that the jurisdiction is in compliance with this Act if the jurisdiction has made, or is in the process of implementing, 2 reasonable alternative procedures or accommodations consistent with the purposes of this Act.
the Attorney General shall consult with the chief executive and chief legal officer of the jurisdiction concerning the jurisdiction's interpretation of the jurisdiction's constitution and rulings thereon by the jurisdiction's highest court.
The Attorney General would establish an assistance program and could award grants to help jurisdictions cover implementation costs. A jurisdiction's chief executive would have to apply for each fiscal year in which funding is sought.
The Attorney General shall establish and implement a program to be known as the Repeat Violent Felon Management Assistance Program.
the Attorney General may award grants to jurisdictions to offset the costs of implementing the requirements of this Act.
The chief executive of a jurisdiction seeking a grant under this section shall, for each fiscal year during which a grant under this section is sought, submit to the Attorney General an application in such form and containing such information as the Attorney General may require.
Jurisdictions substantially complying within two years after enactment could receive an early-compliance bonus in the first fiscal year after the Attorney General's determination. The bonus would be calculated from the preceding fiscal year's implementation grant: 10% for determinations in the enactment-to-day-540 window, or 5% in the day-540-to-two-year window. Both windows include day 540 as written; the supplied text does not resolve which percentage would apply on that boundary.
the term eligible entity means a jurisdiction that, as determined by the Attorney General, substantially complies with the requirements of this Act by a date that is not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
The Attorney General may award an eligible entity with a grant as a bonus for prompt compliance with the requirements of this Act for the first fiscal year beginning after the date on which the Attorney General determines the eligible entity is in substantial compliance with those requirements.
The amount of a payment under this subsection to an eligible entity shall be, of the total amount received by the eligible entity under a grant under subsection (b) for the preceding fiscal year— (A) 10 percent if the Attorney General makes the determination described in paragraph (2) during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 540 days after such date; and (B) 5 percent if the Attorney General makes the determination described in paragraph (2) during the period beginning 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 2 years after such date.
The proposal would authorize appropriations of whatever amounts are necessary for the assistance program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. This is an authorization for future appropriations, not an appropriation of a specified amount.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to carry out this section.
A Tribe could formally elect to operate as a jurisdiction, delegate responsibilities to one or more jurisdictions containing its territory, or provide territorial access and cooperation so those jurisdictions could implement and enforce the requirements.
An Indian Tribe may, by resolution or other enactment of the relevant Tribal council or comparable governmental body— (1) elect to qualify as a jurisdiction for the purposes of this Act; or (2) elect to— (A) delegate the requirements of this Act to not less than 1 jurisdiction within which the territory of the Indian Tribe is located; or (B) provide access to its territory and such other cooperation and assistance as may be needed to enable such other jurisdiction or jurisdictions to carry out and enforce the requirements of this part.
A Tribe subject to State law-enforcement jurisdiction under the cited federal statute would be treated as choosing territorial access and cooperation if it did not elect jurisdiction status within one year after enactment, withdrew that election, or was found by the Attorney General both to have failed substantial implementation and to be unlikely to become capable of it within a reasonable time.
An Indian Tribe shall be deemed to have made the election described in subsection (a)(2)(B) if— (1) the Indian Tribe is subject to the law enforcement jurisdiction of a State under section 1162 of title 18, United States Code; and (2) the Indian Tribe— (A) does not make an election under subsection (a)(1) by the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; (B) rescinds an election of the Indian Tribe under subsection (a)(1); or (C) the Attorney General determines that the Indian Tribe— (i) has not substantially implemented the requirements of this Act; and (ii) is not likely to become capable of substantially implementing the requirements of this Act within a reasonable amount of time.
provide access to its territory and such other cooperation and assistance as may be needed to enable such other jurisdiction or jurisdictions to carry out and enforce the requirements of this part.
Participating Tribes would not have to duplicate functions fully performed by another jurisdiction containing their territory. Cooperative agreements could allow either government to perform the other's functions for covered people subject to Tribal jurisdiction.
An Indian Tribe that elects to be a jurisdiction for the purposes of this Act shall not be required to duplicate functions under this Act which are fully carried out by another jurisdiction or jurisdictions within which the territory of the Indian Tribe is located.
An Indian Tribe may, through cooperative agreements with a jurisdiction or jurisdictions described in paragraph (1)— (A) arrange for the Indian Tribe to carry out any function of such a jurisdiction under this Act with respect to repeat violent felons subject to the Indian Tribe's jurisdiction; and (B) arrange for such a jurisdiction to carry out any function of the Indian Tribe under this Act with respect to repeat violent felons subject to the Indian Tribe's jurisdiction.
The Attorney General, consulting with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, would establish a system notifying relevant jurisdictions about people entering the United States who must register. Those Secretaries would supply relevant information and carry out functions directed by the Attorney General.
The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish and maintain a system for informing the relevant jurisdictions about individuals entering the United States who are required to register under this Act.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide information relevant to subsection (a) and carry out such functions as the Attorney General may direct in the operation of the system established under subsection (a).
The Secretary of Defense would send the Attorney General the registry information specified in section 5(c)(2) for covered people released from military correctional facilities after qualifying-offense sentences, or convicted of qualifying offenses by military courts without confinement. The information would be provided for the national registry and website.
The Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Attorney General the information described in section 5(c)(2) to be included in the National Repeat Violent Felon Registry and the national website relating to repeat violent felons who are— (1) released from military corrections facilities following a sentence imposed for the commission of a qualifying offense; or (2) convicted of a qualifying offense if the sentences adjudged by courts-martial under chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), do not include confinement.
The federal government, participating jurisdictions, their political subdivisions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents would receive immunity from liability for good-faith conduct under the proposal.
The Federal Government, jurisdictions, political subdivisions of jurisdictions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this Act.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated October 7, 2026, records introduction in the House on September 24, 2026, and referral that day to the Judiciary, Natural Resources, and Armed Services Committees for provisions within their respective jurisdictions.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-07T19:00:36Z.
2026-09-24: Introduced in House
2026-09-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-24. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion does not establish the absence of riders in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places outside general program eligibility was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish formal earmark status or the contents of accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied text contains express exemptions benefiting specified governmental actors. These classifications describe the legal treatment and do not imply improper purpose.
Section 16 would give the federal government, jurisdictions, their political subdivisions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents a specific liability protection for good-faith conduct under the registration system. The protection is limited to conduct under the Act and conditioned on good faith.
The Federal Government, jurisdictions, political subdivisions of jurisdictions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this Act.
Section 5(h)(1) would exempt federally recognized Tribes from the requirement to provide a noncompliance penalty with a maximum prison term greater than one year. This is an exception to a governmental penalty-setting requirement, not an exemption for covered people from registration.
Each jurisdiction, other than a federally recognized Indian Tribe, shall provide a criminal penalty that includes a maximum term of imprisonment that is greater than 1 year for the failure of a repeat violent felon to comply with the requirements of this Act.
A repeat violent felon shall register and keep the registration current in each jurisdiction where the repeat violent felon— (1) resides; (2) is an employee; and (3) is a student.
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