Ask AI
H.R. 1893

Next Step Act of 2019

Next Step Act of 2019

This bill revises sentencing guidelines, addresses prison conditions and prisoner reentry, and addresses law enforcement training.

First, it eliminates increased and mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses involving mixtures or substances which contain cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine).

It decriminalizes marijuana by (1) removing marijuana from the list of scheduled substances; (2) eliminating criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute marijuana; and (3) expunging convictions for marijuana use or possession.

It reduces the mandatory minimum prison term for defendants who manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Additionally, the bill

  • requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide videoconferencing free of charge to prisoners;
  • prohibits federal agencies from requesting that applicants disclose their criminal history before receiving a conditional offer of employment;
  • restricts the use of criminal records to disqualify individuals from employment, occupational licensing, or occupational certification;
  • creates a mechanism by which certain eligible individuals may file a petition to seal federal criminal records for certain nonviolent offenses;
  • reinstates the right to vote in federal elections for persons convicted of criminal offenses;
  • revises requirements for the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to their release;
  • establishes and revises certain grants;
  • requires a state or tribe that receives certain funding to report on use-of-force incidents involving a law enforcement officer and a civilian; and
  • prohibits racial profiling by law enforcement.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12](D-NJ)Sponsor
4 cosponsors4 D
4cosponsors10committees16actions19related bills48subjects
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  2. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

    Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture
  3. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

    Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee
  4. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  5. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Ways and Means Committee
  6. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  7. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Armed Services Committee
  8. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Committee on House Administration
  9. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  10. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Natural Resources Committee
  11. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Agriculture Committee
  12. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Financial Services Committee
  13. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  14. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, House Administration, Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  15. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  16. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Next Step Act of 2019 — Informed