Walter Scott Notification Act of 2015
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (30 Sep 2015): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
S. 2112, the Walter Scott Notification Act of 2015, would require states that receive certain federal criminal justice funding to annually report to the U.S. Attorney General detailed information about incidents in which a law enforcement officer's use of a firearm resulted in a civilian's death. Required data would include the age, sex, race, and ethnicity of both the decedent and the officer, a description of the incident, whether the decedent was armed, any officer injuries, the agency's finding on whether the force was justified, and the case's legal outcome. The Attorney General would audit compliance and publish the collected data, subject to Privacy Act protections, and would issue guidance on standardized data collection.
States that fail to report would face a 10% cut in certain Byrne/JAG law enforcement grant funds, and starting in the fifth year after enactment, noncompliant states could lose 20% of funding under a related grant program; withheld funds would be redistributed to compliant states. States in full compliance could also receive preferential consideration for certain grant applications.
The bill primarily affects state and local governments and law enforcement agencies that rely on these federal grants, as well as the Department of Justice, which would be responsible for collecting, auditing, and publishing the data. It was introduced by Senator Tim Scott, with Senator Grassley as a cosponsor, on September 30, 2015, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As of the latest available status, it had not received a committee vote or further action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Walter Scott Notification Act of 2015
This bill requires a state that receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to report certain data on deadly shootings by law enforcement officers. It reduces by 10% the JAG allocation of a state that fails to comply.
Additionally, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to modify requirements under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. During the four-year period following enactment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may give preference to a COPS program grant applicant from a state that reports data on deadly shootings by law enforcement. Beginning in the fifth year, DOJ must reduce by 20% the COPS allocation of a state that fails to report such data.
DOJ, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, must issue guidance to standardize data collection on deadly shootings by law enforcement. DOJ must also audit and review data reports, determine compliance with requirements, and publish such data.
Timeline
30 Sep 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 2112 do?
- S. 2112, the Walter Scott Notification Act of 2015, would require states that receive certain federal criminal justice funding to annually report to the U.S. Attorney General detailed information about incidents in which a law enforcement officer's use of a firearm resulted in a civilian's death. Required data would include the age, sex, race, and ethnicity of both the decedent and the officer, a description of the incident, whether the decedent was armed, any officer injuries, the agency's finding on whether the force was justified, and the case's legal outcome. The Attorney General would audit compliance and publish the collected data, subject to Privacy Act protections, and would issue guidance on standardized data collection. States that fail to report would face a 10% cut in certain Byrne/JAG law enforcement grant funds, and starting in the fifth year after enactment, noncompliant states could lose 20% of funding under a related grant program; withheld funds would be redistributed to compliant states. States in full compliance could also receive preferential consideration for certain grant applications. The bill primarily affects state and local governments and law enforcement agencies that rely on these federal grants, as well as the Department of Justice, which would be responsible for collecting, auditing, and publishing the data. It was introduced by Senator Tim Scott, with Senator Grassley as a cosponsor, on September 30, 2015, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As of the latest available status, it had not received a committee vote or further action.
- Has S. 2112 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2112. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2112?
- S. 2112 was sponsored by Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] (R-SC), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 2112?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (30 Sep 2015).
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