Sponsors (10)
The bill broadens federal grant use so state, local, and tribal authorities can fight identity theft and support victims, but it increases the risk of higher costs and a tilt toward enforcement rather than privacy protections or restorative services.
State, local, and tribal law-enforcement agencies can use federal grants to investigate and prosecute identity theft, giving more jurisdictions resources to disrupt and deter identity-fraud schemes.
Victims of identity theft can benefit from expanded grant eligibility that supports prevention programs and victim-assistance services, improving help and recovery options for affected individuals.
Tribal governments receive clear statutory recognition to seek these federal grants, making it easier for tribes to obtain funding to address identity-theft crimes in their communities.
Broader grant eligibility may enable more enforcement-focused funding priorities, which could emphasize policing and prosecution over privacy safeguards or restorative/victim-centered services.
Expanding the range of grant-eligible activities could increase federal spending or require diverting existing funds, potentially raising taxpayer costs or reducing funding for other programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands a local law enforcement cybercrime grant program to include identity theft by defining the term and adding it to eligible crimes.
Introduced September 26, 2025 by Kristen McDonald Rivet · Last progress September 26, 2025
Amends the federal local law enforcement cybercrime grant statute to add a definition of "identity theft" and to include identity theft offenses within the types of crimes covered by the grant program. The change makes identity theft explicitly eligible for the program's grant activities and funding purposes, so state, tribal, and local law enforcement can seek grant support for investigating and responding to identity-theft crimes. The bill does not appropriate new funds or set implementation timelines; it simply expands the scope of an existing grant authority by defining the term and inserting it alongside existing references to "cybercrimes against individuals."