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H.R.4261 / 115th Congress

SAFE Justice Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 6, 2017

Safe, Accountable, Fair, Effective Justice Act or the SAFE Justice Act

This bill alters various provisions of federal sentencing laws to expand the existing safety valve, expand eligibility for early release, and reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses.

The bill also makes several other changes, including the following:

to limit the application of drug offense mandatory minimums to leaders, organizers, or employees of drug trafficking organizations; 

to establish a post-sentencing risk and needs assessment system for use in federal prison facilities;

to allow prisoners to earn up to 54 days per year of the sentence imposed (instead of 54 days per year of the sentence actually served); and

to permit prisoners to earn additional time credits for successful completion of recidivism reduction risk programs.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] · D–VA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
15 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

  4. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4261 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4261 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4261 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4261 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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