H.R. 1022 would increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs.
Detailed Summary
Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Act - Amends the federal criminal code to define "criminal street gang" and "gang crime" and to prohibit: (1) the commission of, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit, a gang crime to further the activities of a criminal street gang; and (2) the recruitment of another person to join a criminal street gang.
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose criminal penalties for murder and other violent crimes committed in the course of a drug trafficking offense.
Increases criminal penalties for possession of firearms by repeat criminal offenders and for firearm transfers to commit crimes of violence or drug trafficking crimes.
Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) designate certain areas in states as high intensity gang activity areas and provide assistance to such areas; (2) expand the Project Safe Neighborhoods program to require U.S. attorneys to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal street gangs operating in their districts; (3) expand the Safe Streets Program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to support criminal street gang enforcement teams; and (4) make grants to states to prevent abductions of children by family members.
Directs the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Gang Research, Evaluation, and Policy Institute. Authorizes such Office to make grants to governmental and private entities to develop community-based crime prevention programs designed for gang members and at-risk youth.
Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to provide for grants to prosecutors and law enforcement to assist in identifying gang members and violent offenders and to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime.
Establishes in the U.S. Marshals Service a Short-Term State Witness Protection Section to provide protection for witnesses in state and local trials involving homicide or other violent crimes. Expands the federal witness relocation and protection program to include protection for witnesses against criminal street gangs.
Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants for juvenile offender reintegration projects and for employment programs for young adult gang members to reduce recidivism and promote long-term employability.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Ted Nunn
February 26, 2009, 7:29pm (report abuse)While we wait for the Department of Peace to gain traction, this legislation looks like a good way to start addressing the issue of gang violence. Something besides just adding more police to the streets is certainly a welcome and refreshing approach.
David Hazen
February 27, 2009, 12:30am (report abuse)It's odd that the name of the act emphasizes prevention, and yet most of the bill seems to be directed at penalties and enforcement. Well, it's a start.