In recent years, efforts to enhance law enforcement’s ability to solve violent crimes have seen significant developments. Federal legislation has been instrumental in this progress, focusing on improving clearance rates through funding, training, and modernizing forensic practices.
Several bills introduced between 2021 and 2025 highlight these initiatives. The VICTIM Act of 2022 (H.R. 5768), passed by the House, allocates $100 million annually until 2032 for grants aimed at increasing clearance rates for homicides and other violent crimes through improved staffing and technology. This act is complemented by H.R. 1377 and S. 4402.
The Homicide Victims’ Families’ Rights Act of 2021 (H.R. 3359) has become law, enabling cold case murder reviews upon request to reduce backlog issues. Related legislation includes S. 4549.
In 2023, the Cold Case Modernization Act (H.R. 6688) was introduced to expand eligibility for federal forensic grants, aiding in the identification of unidentified human remains without needing a homicide determination.
Another key proposal from 2023 is the Rape Kit Backlog Progress Act (H.R. 5721), which mandates states to track and report sexual assault kits’ status to qualify for Department of Justice funding, thus promoting transparency and timely investigations.
The updated VICTIM Act of 2024 (H.R. 7308) builds on its predecessor by extending eligibility and oversight mechanisms while providing resources for detective hiring and victim support services. It has a companion bill in S. 3763.
In early 2025, new legislative efforts were made with the introduction of the Restoring Law and Order Act (S.1079). This bill proposes a $500 million grant program managed by the Department of Justice to bolster law enforcement hiring, reduce forensic backlogs, and deter violent crime using redirected federal funds.
Also introduced in 2025 is the Justice for Murder Victims Act (H.R.1353), which removes time limitations between a criminal act and a victim’s death in federal homicide cases, thereby supporting long-term justice outcomes for cold cases with its companion bill S.960.
Lastly, the BADGES for Native Communities Act (H.R.1010) aims to improve data collection and coordination regarding missing or murdered Indigenous persons with its related Senate Bill S.390.
These legislative measures reflect ongoing efforts to address crime more effectively through targeted investments and policy changes at the federal level.
