Legis Daily

Next Step Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-697| Senate 
| Updated: 3/7/2019
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 7, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Mar 7, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 8, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-1893
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • March 7, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 7, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 8, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-1893
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-196: Democracy Restoration Act of 2019
  • HR 116-1893: Next Step Act of 2019
  • S 116-387: Fair Chance Act
  • HR 116-2410: REDEEM Act
  • S 116-1080: New Pathways Act
  • HR 116-8941: To secure the Federal voting rights of persons when released from incarceration.
  • HR 116-2232: New Pathways Act
  • S 116-1068: Democracy Restoration Act of 2019
  • S 116-2850: Smarter Sentencing Act of 2019
  • HR 116-1076: Fair Chance Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesChild healthChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingDepartment of DefenseDetention of personsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useDrug trafficking and controlled substancesEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEvidence and witnessesFirearms and explosivesFood assistance and reliefGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHousing and community development fundingIntergovernmental relationsJudicial procedure and administrationJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersLawyers and legal servicesLicensing and registrationsMental healthMilitary procurement, research, weapons developmentOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)Office of Personnel Management (OPM)Personnel recordsPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationState and local government operationsTrade restrictionsU.S. Sentencing CommissionVoting rights

Next Step Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-697| Senate 
| Updated: 3/7/2019
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 7, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Mar 7, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 8, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-1893
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • March 7, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 7, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 8, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-1893
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-196: Democracy Restoration Act of 2019
  • HR 116-1893: Next Step Act of 2019
  • S 116-387: Fair Chance Act
  • HR 116-2410: REDEEM Act
  • S 116-1080: New Pathways Act
  • HR 116-8941: To secure the Federal voting rights of persons when released from incarceration.
  • HR 116-2232: New Pathways Act
  • S 116-1068: Democracy Restoration Act of 2019
  • S 116-2850: Smarter Sentencing Act of 2019
  • HR 116-1076: Fair Chance Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesChild healthChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingDepartment of DefenseDetention of personsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useDrug trafficking and controlled substancesEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEvidence and witnessesFirearms and explosivesFood assistance and reliefGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHousing and community development fundingIntergovernmental relationsJudicial procedure and administrationJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersLawyers and legal servicesLicensing and registrationsMental healthMilitary procurement, research, weapons developmentOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)Office of Personnel Management (OPM)Personnel recordsPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationState and local government operationsTrade restrictionsU.S. Sentencing CommissionVoting rights