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Bill

S 5245

Karly Rain Wood Act

119th Congress Introduced by Deb Fischer and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a federal program to register and notify about individuals with multiple violent felonies to enhance public safety.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5245

Overview

S. 5245 (Session 119) proposes the creation of the Karly Rain Wood Repeat Violent Felon Registration and Notification Program within the Department of Justice, along with related provisions. The bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It lists Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer as co-sponsors.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a federal program to track and notify about repeat violent felons, named the Karly Rain Wood Repeat Violent Felon Registration and Notification Program.
  • Aim to enhance public safety by identifying individuals with multiple violent felony convictions and ensuring ongoing reporting and public or authorized recipient notification.

Key provisions (illustrative, based on title and standard program structure)

  • Creation of the Karly Rain Wood Repeat Violent Felon Registration and Notification Program within the Department of Justice.
  • Criteria for enrollment: individuals convicted of multiple violent felonies, likely defined through specified offenses and judicial standards (the bill would define which offenses qualify as “violent felonies” and what constitutes “repeat” offenses).
  • Registration requirements: affected individuals would be required to register with a federal agency, providing identifying information, locations, contact methods, and other relevant data.
  • Notification and access: updates to law enforcement agencies, courts, and potentially the public or designated stakeholders about changes in status, location, or other pertinent information.
  • Compliance and penalties: enforcement mechanisms for failure to register or provide accurate information, including potential fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions.
  • Protections and privacy: potential limitations on data use, retention periods, privacy safeguards, and procedures for challenging or correcting information.
  • Interagency coordination: responsibilities for the DOJ to coordinate with state, local, and tribal authorities, as well as with other federal programs that track criminal history.
  • Sunset or review provisions: any periodic evaluation requirements to assess effectiveness, costs, and privacy impacts.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals convicted of repeat violent felonies who meet the bill’s criteria for registration.
  • Federal, state, and local law enforcement and judicial systems responsible for enforcing registration and notification requirements.
  • The Department of Justice, which would administer and maintain the program.
  • Potentially, victims and communities who may receive notifications or have access to public-facing data.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee on August 5, 2026.
  • Next steps: If the Judiciary Committee approves, the bill could move to the full Senate for debate and vote; concurrent consideration by the House would be required for enactment.
  • Implementation timeline: A typical bill of this scope would specify a phased implementation (e.g., a start date after enactment and a period for rulemaking, data collection, and program rollout). The exact dates would be defined in the text.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public safety: Potential to enhance monitoring of individuals with violent criminal histories and inform law enforcement and communities.
  • Privacy and civil liberties: The scope of data collection and public availability could raise privacy concerns; the bill would typically include safeguards and oversight mechanisms.
  • Cost and administration: Creation and operation of a federal registration program would involve funding for staffing, data systems, and coordination with other agencies.
  • Constitutional and legal considerations: Data sharing, notification, and enforcement provisions would need to align with existing federal and state laws, including due process and privacy protections.

Note: The summary is based on the bill’s title, sponsor information, and typical features of registration-and-notification programs. The exact statutory text would specify precise definitions, procedures, penalties, funding levels, and enforcement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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