The House of Representatives passed the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act on May 14, a bill introduced by Congressman Scott Fitzgerald of Wisconsin’s 5th district. The legislation aims to address bail policies by defining bail bonds as insurance products, making them subject to federal insurance fraud laws and allowing states to set licensing requirements for entities posting bail on behalf of defendants.
The passage of this bill is part of a broader effort in the House during Police Week to strengthen support for law enforcement and improve public safety. Supporters say the measure will help ensure accountability in the bail process and prevent individuals accused or convicted of violent crimes from being released through charitable organizations.
“Communities across the country have suffered the consequences of reckless soft-on-crime policies that put dangerous offenders back on the streets,” said Congressman Fitzgerald. “The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act restores accountability to the bail process by ensuring left-wing organizations that post bail for violent criminals are subject to federal insurance laws and criminal fraud statutes. Public safety should always come first, and this legislation is key in protecting Americans and restoring common sense to our bail system. I thank my colleagues for their support of this bill, and I’ll continue fighting to ensure tragedies like the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack are never repeated.”
The legislation specifically addresses concerns about charitable bail funds—organizations that use donations to pay cash bail for defendants—which are described as a small but active part of efforts seeking major reforms or elimination of cash bail systems. These funds have reportedly posted bail for individuals charged with violent felonies or those with prior convictions.
A CNN investigation cited in the release found that from 2019 to 2021 in Indiana, “24 percent of the roughly 1,000 defendants cut loose by The Bail Project – among the largest charitable bail groups in the United States – had been charged with a crime of violence; 35 percent were facing felony charges and had a previous charge of at least one crime of violence.” The report also stated that at least nine people released by such charities were later arrested for murder.
Fitzgerald has represented Wisconsin’s 5th district since replacing Jim Sensenbrenner in Congress in 2021; he previously served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1995 until his election to Congress according to Wikipedia.
Observers will be watching how states respond if this legislation becomes law, especially regarding new licensing requirements and oversight over organizations posting bond.
