FAMILIES Act
Latest action (9 Nov 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 6341, the FAMILIES Act, would amend federal criminal sentencing law (title 18) to create a new "FAMILIES Program" that federal courts could use as an alternative to probation or imprisonment for certain defendants. Judges would be required to determine whether a defendant is an "eligible individual"—generally a parent of a minor child, a pregnant person, a caregiver for a minor, an elderly relative, or a person with disabilities, or the spouse/partner of such a person—and whether that person and society would be better served by diversion into the program rather than incarceration. The program would connect participants to education, job training, substance-use and mental-health treatment, parenting support, and assistance accessing benefits such as SNAP, WIC, TANF, housing, and health coverage. Courts would also gain discretion to limit fines, forfeitures, and restitution based on a defendant's ability to pay, and in some cases could avoid entering a conviction, with expungement available for eligible individuals under age 21 at the time of the offense. The bill also directs judicial training on trauma-informed decision-making and related topics, and references a state grant program to replicate similar approaches, though that section is cut off in the provided text.
The bill primarily affects people facing federal criminal charges who have significant caregiving responsibilities, along with courts, probation offices, and federal agencies (Justice Department, Sentencing Commission, HHS) tasked with implementing the program.
H.R. 6341 was introduced in the House on November 9, 2023, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It did not receive a vote during the 118th Congress and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on November 9, 2023, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6341 do?
- H.R. 6341, the FAMILIES Act, would amend federal criminal sentencing law (title 18) to create a new "FAMILIES Program" that federal courts could use as an alternative to probation or imprisonment for certain defendants. Judges would be required to determine whether a defendant is an "eligible individual"—generally a parent of a minor child, a pregnant person, a caregiver for a minor, an elderly relative, or a person with disabilities, or the spouse/partner of such a person—and whether that person and society would be better served by diversion into the program rather than incarceration. The program would connect participants to education, job training, substance-use and mental-health treatment, parenting support, and assistance accessing benefits such as SNAP, WIC, TANF, housing, and health coverage. Courts would also gain discretion to limit fines, forfeitures, and restitution based on a defendant's ability to pay, and in some cases could avoid entering a conviction, with expungement available for eligible individuals under age 21 at the time of the offense. The bill also directs judicial training on trauma-informed decision-making and related topics, and references a state grant program to replicate similar approaches, though that section is cut off in the provided text. The bill primarily affects people facing federal criminal charges who have significant caregiving responsibilities, along with courts, probation offices, and federal agencies (Justice Department, Sentencing Commission, HHS) tasked with implementing the program. H.R. 6341 was introduced in the House on November 9, 2023, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. It did not receive a vote during the 118th Congress and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered further.
- Has H.R. 6341 become law?
- Not yet. As of 9 Nov 2023, H.R. 6341 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6341?
- H.R. 6341 was sponsored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal [D-WA7] (Democrat-WA), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6341?
- Introduced (9 Nov 2023).
Related bills in Crime and Law Enforcement
Safe Cloud Storage Act
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act
BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act
Officer Leslie Coffelt U.S. Secret Service Police Act of 2026
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.