Walter Scott Notification Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (11 Jun 2020): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Walter Scott Notification Act of 2020 would require states receiving federal law enforcement grants to report specific data to the Attorney General whenever a law enforcement officer's use of a firearm results in a civilian death. This data would include details about the decedent, the officer involved, the circumstances of the event, and the outcome of any agency review or legal proceedings.
States that fail to provide this information could face a 10% reduction in funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Additionally, for the first four years after enactment, the Department of Justice could give preference to grant applicants from states that do report this data for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program grants. Beginning in the fifth year, states failing to report would face a 20% reduction in their COPS funding.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 11, 2020, and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It has not advanced beyond this initial stage. If enacted, the Attorney General would also be required to conduct annual audits of the reported data and make a public report available.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Walter Scott Notification Act of 2020
This bill establishes new requirements for existing grant programs to incentivize reporting on deadly shootings by law enforcement.
Specifically, it 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, for an initial four-year period, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may give preference to a Community Oriented Policing Services (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.
Timeline
11 Jun 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7188 do?
- The Walter Scott Notification Act of 2020 would require states receiving federal law enforcement grants to report specific data to the Attorney General whenever a law enforcement officer's use of a firearm results in a civilian death. This data would include details about the decedent, the officer involved, the circumstances of the event, and the outcome of any agency review or legal proceedings. States that fail to provide this information could face a 10% reduction in funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Additionally, for the first four years after enactment, the Department of Justice could give preference to grant applicants from states that do report this data for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program grants. Beginning in the fifth year, states failing to report would face a 20% reduction in their COPS funding. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 11, 2020, and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It has not advanced beyond this initial stage. If enacted, the Attorney General would also be required to conduct annual audits of the reported data and make a public report available.
- Has H.R. 7188 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 7188. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7188?
- H.R. 7188 was sponsored by Rep. Timmons, William R. IV [R-SC-4] (R-SC), with 10 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7188?
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (11 Jun 2020).
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