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119-s-5245119th Congress

Karly Rain Wood Act

Sponsored By: Senator Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a single, nationwide system to register and notify about repeat violent felons. It pairs lifetime registration rules with public search tools and cross‑jurisdiction data sharing to help communities and law enforcement track repeat violent offenders.

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  • Families and communities: Public state and national websites would publish repeat violent felon information with single‑query ZIP code or radius searches so residents can find nearby records. Victim identities and certain sensitive data are exempt from online publication.
  • People labeled repeat violent felons: Individuals meeting the bill's thresholds would face lifetime registration. They must register in every jurisdiction where they live, work, or study, update key changes within 3 business days, report foreign travel, and appear in person at least every 90 days. Failure to comply can result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment exceeding 1 year.
  • Jurisdictions, tribes, and the federal government: The Attorney General and DOJ would build and run the program, require electronic data sharing, offer grants and bonus payments to speed adoption, and may reduce certain DOJ grants by up to 10 percent for jurisdictions that do not substantially implement the system. Tribes may opt in or use cooperative arrangements.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New registry rules for repeat violent felons

If enacted, repeat violent felons would need to register where they live, work, or attend school. They would register before leaving prison or within 3 business days after sentencing if not imprisoned. They would provide DNA, fingerprints, a photo, work and school information, vehicle details, and foreign travel plans. They would appear in person at least once every 90 days for verification. They would report name, address, or school changes in person within 3 business days. Registration would last for life except during custody or civil commitment. Most jurisdictions would make failure to comply a crime with possible prison time over one year.

National registry, deadlines, and funding

If enacted, the Attorney General would create a national repeat violent felon registry and a public website. The FBI would host the national registry and the site could allow ZIP code or radius searches as the Attorney General allows. The Attorney General would develop shared software for jurisdictions within two years. States and tribes would have to implement the system by the later of three years after enactment or one year after the software is available. The AG could allow two one-year extensions and accept constitutional accommodations. The AG could award discretionary grants for implementation and authorize funding for FY2027 and FY2028. Jurisdictions deemed substantially compliant early could get a bonus equal to 10% or 5% of the prior-year grant depending on timing. The AG could cut 10% of certain federal crime-control funds for a year if a jurisdiction fails to implement. The federal government and jurisdictions would be immune from lawsuits for good-faith actions under the Act.

Tribal options for registry participation

If enacted, an Indian Tribe could choose to be treated as a jurisdiction under the Act or delegate the Act's duties to another jurisdiction. A Tribe would not have to duplicate functions already done by another jurisdiction and could use cooperative agreements. If a Tribe does not elect within one year, rescinds an election, or the AG finds it not implementing the Act, delegation could be assumed.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

NE • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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