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Amends federal criminal law to add a new penalty for a specific possession offense when the object involved is the type listed in the statute’s subsection (d)(1)(F), and renumbers related paragraphs. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to review and, if needed, update its policies on inmates making, possessing, obtaining, or attempting to make or obtain prohibited objects, with that review and any updates completed within one year of enactment.
Redesignate paragraphs (4) and (5) of Section 1791(b), Title 18, United States Code, as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively.
Insert a new paragraph (4) after paragraph (3) in Section 1791(b): for a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section.
Amend paragraph (5), as redesignated, by inserting unspecified text before [text not shown]. The provided file preview truncates the inserted language; the exact insertion is not present in the file excerpt.
The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must conduct a review of the Bureau’s policies that relate to inmates who make, possess, obtain, or attempt to make or obtain a prohibited object (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1791(d)(1)).
The Director must update those Bureau of Prisons policies as needed to improve protections for incarcerated individuals and Bureau of Prisons staff.
Who is affected and how:
• Incarcerated people and people with criminal records: The amendment increases criminal penalties for a narrowly defined possession offense, which could lead to additional prosecutions or longer sentences for people who possess or attempt to obtain the specified objects covered by subsection (d)(1)(F).
• People who may be charged under the amended statute: Individuals who make, possess, obtain, or attempt to obtain the specific kinds of objects identified in the statute face the new up-to-2-year imprisonment penalty (or imprisonment plus other penalties) if charged and convicted under the amended provision.
• Bureau of Prisons staff and federal prison administrators: BOP must review and possibly change facility rules, property-control procedures, training, and contraband prevention practices to ensure consistency with the updated statutory penalties and prohibited-object definitions. That review and any policy updates must be completed within one year of enactment, which may require administrative effort and training.
• Federal law enforcement and prosecutors: The statutory change gives prosecutors an additional or clarified sentencing tool for cases involving the specified objects. Law enforcement agencies may adapt investigative priorities to account for the enhanced penalty.
• Federal courts and defense counsel: Courts will apply the amended statute in relevant prosecutions; defense counsel and federal defenders will need to consider the new penalty when advising clients and litigating charges.
Overall effect: The bill tightens criminal liability for a specific, narrowly described possession offense and pushes the BOP to align internal policies with that legal standard. The measure mainly affects people involved in possession or attempted-possession incidents, prison administrators responsible for contraband controls, and federal criminal justice actors. There are no direct impacts on state or local governments required by the text, and no new federal appropriations specified.
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Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Laurel Lee · Last progress May 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House