Criminal History Access Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Schmidt
Passed House
Summary
Expands which government bodies can access and share criminal history records across federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local levels. It creates clearer definitions for who counts as a qualifying agency and sets a deadline for regulatory updates to make the changes operational.
Show full summary
- State and local law enforcement and their oversight agencies gain statutory authority to exchange criminal history records for official use. The law names "peace officer standards and training agencies" as state bodies that set hiring, training, and certification rules.
- Sentencing and corrections entities, including the United States Sentencing Commission and penal institutions, are explicitly authorized to receive and use criminal history information for sentencing and correctional purposes.
- Tribal governments, cities, and U.S. territories are included in the expanded access. The Attorney General must amend the federal regulations in part 20 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, within 180 days to implement the law.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More officials could access criminal records
If enacted, the FBI would be able to exchange criminal history records with more government officials. That would include federal officials (such as the U.S. Sentencing Commission), States, Indian tribes, cities, and penal and other institutions. Access and use would be limited to authorized officials for their official work. The bill would define which State peace‑officer standards and training agencies qualify: those with state‑law power to set hiring, training, ethics, and retention rules through certification or licensing. It would also define “State” to include the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other U.S. territory or possession; these changes would take effect upon enactment.
Justice Department would update rules
The Attorney General would have 180 days after enactment to update federal rules in 28 CFR part 20. Those updates would implement this bill’s criminal history record provisions. The deadline would start on the date the bill becomes law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schmidt
KS • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov