Criminal Justice Reform
Science Advisory Board/Justice Program
Rep. Dean understands that for government to work well, decision-makers need the most up-to-date data and evidence. For this reason, she introduced H.R. 3989, the Improving Justice Programs through Science Act of 2019. This bill would create a Science Advisory Board (the Board) at the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) within the Department of Justice. The Board would be responsible for integrating scientific knowledge into crime-reduction efforts, as well as for using research, data, and evidence to guide the OJP’s grants, programs, and activities.
PREP Act
Rep. Dean knows that education can be a pathway to opportunity. Along with former Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Rep. Dean introduced H.R. 2635, the Promoting Reentry through Education in Prisons (PREP) Act. This legislation ensures that incarcerated individuals receive the educational opportunities they need to successfully reenter their communities after completing their sentences – while also reducing recidivism.
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
In addition, Rep. Dean is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. In the 25 years since VAWA’s original passage, domestic violence has decreased by 63%. H.R. 1585 expands protections for young victims, survivors without shelter, and LGBTQ people; the legislation also prevents “intimate partner” homicides by prohibiting those convicted of dating violence from possessing firearms.
The bill – which passed the House – included Rep. Dean’s amendment to improve cross-agency collaboration, ensuring that federal departments can coordinate on the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as share best practices for supporting victims.
More on Criminal Justice Reform
Blue Bell, PA – Last night, Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) hosted her very first drive-in town hall at the Montgomery County Community College’s Blue Bell Campus. The drive-in town hall was an opportunity for constituents to safely connect with Congresswoman Dean. Topics included the COVID-19 relief and vaccine, the opioid crisis, climate change, the economy, and more.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. Dean introduced legislation mirroring the Senate bill, The Emergency GRACE Act, led by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The Emergency GRACE Act grants incarcerated people the opportunity to appeal for early release in some instances (if they are terminally ill or elderly). The coronavirus has negatively impacted prisons in Montgomery County and across the country.
LOWER MERION, PA – On Monday, February 3, Rep. Dean hosted the first Town Hall of the new year at the Cynwyd Club in Lower Merion Township. Joined by over 160 constituents, Rep. Dean discussed gun violence prevention, the student debt crisis, climate change and impeachment – and the issues Democrats would be focused on in 2020 like infrastructure, healthcare, and climate change.