FAMILIES Act
Latest action (18 Nov 2020): Introduced
What this bill does
The FAMILIES Act would amend federal sentencing law to create a new "FAMILIES Program" as an alternative to probation or imprisonment for certain federal defendants. Judges would be required to consider diverting eligible defendants—parents of minor children, pregnant individuals, caregivers for minors, people with disabilities, or elderly relatives, and their spouses or partners—into this program when doing so would serve both the individual and society, based on factors such as risk of harm, community ties, and family impact. The program would combine community supervision with services including education, job training, substance-use and mental-health treatment, and connections to housing, nutrition, and health-care assistance. Courts would face limits on imposing fines or forfeiture that could hinder a participant's success, and for younger offenders (under 21) who complete a pre-judgment version of the program, records could be expunged.
The bill primarily affects federal defendants with significant caregiving responsibilities, federal judges (who would receive new training requirements), probation offices, and federal agencies such as the Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services, which would help operate the program and study its effects. It also authorizes a $20 million grant program for states to expand similar "parenting sentencing alternative" programs.
H.R. 8774 was introduced in the House on November 18, 2020, by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law; it would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act of 2020 or the FAMILIES Act
This bill establishes and provides funds for a program to divert eligible individuals (e.g., parents of minor children and caregivers) from a term of imprisonment or probation into comprehensive support services (e.g., education, jobs, in-home parenting, and substance abuse treatment programs). Additionally, the bill provides funds for the training of district court judges, a study on the effects of incarceration on children of incarcerated parents, and grants to states for parenting sentencing alternative programs.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8774 do?
- The FAMILIES Act would amend federal sentencing law to create a new "FAMILIES Program" as an alternative to probation or imprisonment for certain federal defendants. Judges would be required to consider diverting eligible defendants—parents of minor children, pregnant individuals, caregivers for minors, people with disabilities, or elderly relatives, and their spouses or partners—into this program when doing so would serve both the individual and society, based on factors such as risk of harm, community ties, and family impact. The program would combine community supervision with services including education, job training, substance-use and mental-health treatment, and connections to housing, nutrition, and health-care assistance. Courts would face limits on imposing fines or forfeiture that could hinder a participant's success, and for younger offenders (under 21) who complete a pre-judgment version of the program, records could be expunged. The bill primarily affects federal defendants with significant caregiving responsibilities, federal judges (who would receive new training requirements), probation offices, and federal agencies such as the Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services, which would help operate the program and study its effects. It also authorizes a $20 million grant program for states to expand similar "parenting sentencing alternative" programs. H.R. 8774 was introduced in the House on November 18, 2020, by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, so it did not become law; it would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered again.
- Has H.R. 8774 become law?
- Not yet. As of 18 Nov 2020, H.R. 8774 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8774?
- H.R. 8774 was sponsored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal [D-WA7] (Democrat-WA), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8774?
- Introduced (18 Nov 2020).
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