AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced
Summary
Study and prevention of animal cruelty as a signal of future human violence. This bill would fund a National Institute of Justice study to identify risk factors that link animal cruelty to later violence against people and would create a grant program to build detection, intervention, and rehabilitation capacity.
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- Families and survivors: The study must identify which acts of animal cruelty are most commonly associated with human harms, such as domestic violence and assault, and recommend policies to better protect victims.
- Law enforcement and courts: Grants may pay for training, specialized units, protocols, and computerized data systems that link police, prosecutors, and courts to detect and track animal cruelty cases.
- Researchers and offenders: The NIJ would review science and expert input, recommend areas for more research, and develop best practices and diversion or rehabilitation strategies for juvenile and non-juvenile offenders to reduce future violence.
*This bill would authorize $2.0 million for the study and $2.0 million for the grant program, increasing federal spending by $4.0 million.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal study on animal cruelty
If enacted, the bill would require the Attorney General, through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Director, to do a study and report to Congress within 3 years. The study would examine risk factors linked to people who commit animal cruelty and whether some acts predict later violence against people. The NIJ Director would also develop best practices for early intervention and submit policy recommendations to Federal, State, and local governments. The bill would authorize $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 for this study, and the funds would remain available until spent.
Grants to Stop Future Violence
If enacted, the bill would create a "Stop Future Violence Grant Program" run by the Attorney General. Grants would go to States, local governments, courts, Indian Tribes, and nonprofits with experience on animal cruelty or related violence. Grants could pay for training, personnel, data systems, prosecution, mental and behavioral health treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and related technical assistance. The bill would authorize $2,000,000 to carry out this program, and the money would remain available until spent.
New definition of animal cruelty
If enacted, the bill would define "animal cruelty" to include intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly harming or killing an animal, such as maiming, mutilating, torturing, poisoning, animal fighting, sexual abuse, or neglect. The definition would also cover attempted acts and intentional neglect or deprivation of sustenance or shelter. The definition would exclude normal veterinary care, standard farming practices, legal hunting or fishing, food slaughter, pest or predator control, medical research, life‑saving acts, and euthanasia. This definition would guide who can be charged or included in programs and grants under the bill.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov