VICTIM Act of 2026 (H.R. 8746)

Summary

Establishes a grant program for state, Tribal, and local law enforcement to improve their ability to solve homicides and gun-related violent crimes.

What problem does this solve?

Many serious violent crimes, like murders and shootings, are not being solved by police. This bill gives money to law enforcement agencies to hire more staff, buy better technology, and improve training to help them solve these cases and support victims.

What does this bill do?

Establishes a new grant program

Creates a grant program within the Department of Justice for state, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies to help them solve more homicides and violent gun crimes.

Authorizes funding for five years

Approves $60 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund the grant program.

Specifies how grant money can be used

Allows funds to be used for hiring investigators, buying new technology, training staff, retaining experts, and providing support services for victims and their families.

Reserves funds for Tribal and rural agencies

Requires that at least 5% of the total funds go to Tribal law enforcement agencies and at least 5% go to law enforcement agencies in rural areas.

Requires detailed reporting from grant recipients

Mandates that agencies receiving grants report annually on how the money was used, including data on clearance rates, crime trends, and demographics of victims and suspects.

Improves support for victims and families

Allows grant funds to be used for victim services, such as emergency housing and food, counseling, trauma-informed interview training for officers, and language access support.

Creates a streamlined application process

Directs the Attorney General to develop a simple grant application process that can be completed in two hours or less to reduce barriers for agencies seeking funds.

Mandates audits and oversight

Requires the Inspector General to audit grant recipients to prevent waste and fraud. Agencies with unresolved audit findings will be barred from receiving funds for a year.

Who does this affect?

State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies
Victims of violent crimes and their families
Communities with high rates of unsolved homicides and gun violence

What is the real world impact?

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Improves crime-solving and victim support

Provides law enforcement with resources to solve more homicides and firearm-related crimes. This can bring justice to victims and their families while also improving community safety and trust in the police.

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Modernizes police investigations

Encourages the adoption of new technologies and evidence-based strategies for criminal investigations. This helps police departments keep up with modern challenges and improve their effectiveness.

When does this start?

This bill sets multiple deadlines for action after it becomes law.

Streamlined application plan

Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, the Attorney General must report to Congress a plan for a simplified grant application process.

Grant program establishment

The Attorney General must create the grant program within 180 days of the bill becoming law.

National program evaluation

The National Institute of Justice must evaluate the grant program's success every two years, starting two years after the bill becomes law.

Funding period

Funding for the grants is approved for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.