SERVE Our Communities Act

This bill sets up a federal grant program to help states and local governments reduce repeat violent crime. To qualify, a state or city must let judges consider whether a person is dangerous to the community when setting bail or pretrial release, and must also take steps to cut repeat offenses—like hiring and keeping more police and prosecutors or running public education to improve community–police relations. Grant money can be used for reentry support such as mentoring, job training, and other help that makes it easier for people leaving prison to return to the community safely. The bill authorizes $10 million per year from 2026 through 2031 for these grants.

Key points

• Who is affected: States and local governments; people awaiting trial; people reentering the community after incarceration
• What changes: Grants go to places that allow judges to weigh community safety in bail decisions and that take steps to curb repeat violent crime; funds support reentry services like mentoring and training
• When: Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026–2031