States and tribes would register people with repeat violent convictions

The Attorney General would coordinate registries that jurisdictions must keep for people who meet the bill’s definition of repeat violent felon. A qualifying offense includes specified violent, firearm, and explosive offenses. A federally recognized tribe may elect to act as a jurisdiction or arrange for another jurisdiction to carry out the requirements. A person qualifies after final convictions for at least two qualifying offenses, or at least one qualifying offense and one serious drug offense. Some robbery, other violent offenses, and arson may be excluded if the person proves the specified facts about weapons, harm, or risk to human life. Jurisdictions would have to implement the requirements by the later of three years after enactment or one year after the required software is ready. The Attorney General could grant up to two one-year extensions.

A person required to register would give identifying, home, work, school, vehicle, and travel information, update it, and check it in person. These duties apply to people who meet the bill’s definition of repeat violent felon. Registration would be required in each jurisdiction where the person lives, works, or attends school, and initially in the jurisdiction of conviction if it differs from the person’s home jurisdiction. The person would have to report a change in name, school status, home, or work in person within three business days. States would have to set a criminal penalty with a maximum prison term greater than one year for failure to comply. Initial registration would be due before release from prison, or within three business days after sentencing if there is no prison term. The 90-day checks begin after initial registration.

Jurisdictions and the Attorney General would publish registry information online and share it with listed agencies and organizations. Each jurisdiction would post information about people in its registry, and the Attorney General would maintain a national registry and website. Websites would exclude victims’ identities in sex offenses, registrants’ Social Security numbers, arrests that did not lead to conviction, and any other information the Attorney General exempts. Officials would notify law enforcement, schools, public housing agencies, and other listed groups. Volunteer organizations and other requesters could receive notices under jurisdiction rules. Officials would send required notices when a person registers or updates a registration. Volunteer groups and other requesters could choose to receive notices at least once every five business days.

The Attorney General could award implementation grants and early-compliance bonuses to jurisdictions. Grants and bonuses would be available to jurisdictions carrying out the bill’s requirements. Jurisdictions would have to apply for grants each fiscal year. The Attorney General could award bonuses for substantial compliance within two years after enactment. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2027 and 2028; it does not itself provide that money. A bonus could be awarded if a jurisdiction substantially complies within two years after enactment; its amount would depend on when the Attorney General makes that finding.