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Bruce's Law
12/15/2023, 4:07 PM
Summary of Bill S 1235
The main provisions of Bruce's Law include:
1. Enhancing victim support services: The bill seeks to improve access to support services for victims of crime, including counseling, legal assistance, and financial support. This is intended to help victims cope with the trauma of their experience and navigate the criminal justice system. 2. Strengthening victims' rights: Bruce's Law aims to ensure that victims are treated with dignity and respect throughout the legal process. This includes providing victims with information about their rights, the status of their case, and opportunities to participate in legal proceedings. 3. Holding offenders accountable: The bill includes measures to hold offenders accountable for their actions and ensure that they face appropriate consequences for their crimes. This may include harsher penalties for certain offenses or increased supervision for offenders upon release. 4. Improving communication between victims and law enforcement: Bruce's Law seeks to enhance communication between victims and law enforcement agencies, ensuring that victims are kept informed about the progress of their case and have the opportunity to provide input. Overall, Bruce's Law is designed to prioritize the needs and rights of victims of crime, while also working to improve the effectiveness and fairness of the criminal justice system. The bill is currently under review in Congress, where lawmakers are considering its potential impact and feasibility.
Congressional Summary of S 1235
Bruce's Law
This bill reauthorizes certain grants through FY2027 and sets out other activities to address the dangers of fentanyl-related drug overdoses, with a particular focus on fentanyl contamination.
Specifically, the bill (1) reauthorizes grants that are available through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for community-based coalitions to address local drug crises, and (2) authorizes new grants for coalitions to implement education and prevention strategies in communities that face significant levels of drug overdoses related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The ONDCP may delegate authority to execute the new grants to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must carry out a campaign to increase public awareness of the dangers of fentanyl, including the risk of fentanyl contamination in counterfeit drugs.
The bill also establishes an interagency work group to coordinate and improve federal efforts to reduce and prevent overdoses involving fentanyl contamination in illegal drugs. Work group members include the ONDCP, HHS, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State.
