COVID–19 Correctional Facility Emergency Response Act of 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 13, 2020
COVID-19 Correctional Facility Emergency Response Act of 2020
This bill establishes a new grant program to help states and local governments prevent, detect, and stop the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in correctional facilities.
Specifically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must award grants to states and local governments that release certain persons—persons who do not pose a serious risk or who meet certain criteria based on age or health—from correctional facilities.
Additionally, DOJ must award grants to states and local governments that adopt cite-and-release procedures for suspects who do not pose a public safety risk.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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