Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 22, 2025
Bottom line
This bill aims to enhance the safety and security of State and local judges and court staff by creating a dedicated national resource center for threat intelligence and security support.
What it actually does
This bill amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to authorize the State Justice Institute (SJI) to provide financial and technical support to eligible national nonprofit organizations. The purpose of this support is to establish and operate a State judicial threat intelligence and resource center, which would offer security training, monitor threats, coordinate with law enforcement, and create a national database for incidents involving State and local judges and court staff.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is crucial for protecting the judiciary, which faces increasing threats, ensuring judges and court staff can perform their duties without fear, and maintaining the integrity of the justice system. They highlight the need for a centralized, expert resource to proactively address security risks and provide essential training and coordination across diverse State and local court systems.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that this bill could duplicate existing efforts by federal or state law enforcement agencies, or that the funding could be better allocated to direct security measures rather than a new administrative center. Some might also question the scope or potential overreach of a national database for local threats, raising concerns about data privacy and the integration of information from various jurisdictions.
The bill is very short and clearly written, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions.
Section 2
Defines 'Eligible Organization' for Awards
This section amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to establish a specific definition for an 'eligible organization.' To qualify for awards under this Act, an organization must be a national nonprofit with demonstrated expertise in judicial security, courthouse design, State judicial operations, and experience working with a wide array of different State and local court systems, including trial, appellate, rural, and limited-jurisdiction courts. This ensures that the entity receiving funding possesses the necessary qualifications to effectively manage judicial security initiatives.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that these stringent definitions are essential to ensure that the critical task of establishing a judicial threat intelligence center is entrusted only to organizations with proven expertise and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by the State and local judiciary. This guarantees effectiveness and responsible use of federal resources.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against definitional provisions that aim to ensure competence, though some might argue that overly narrow definitions could limit competition or exclude potentially innovative organizations from participating.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for specialized expertise and experience in judicial security with the potential to limit the pool of organizations eligible to receive funding for the new center.
Section 3
Authorizes State Justice Institute to Fund a Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center
This section amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to authorize the SJI to provide financial and technical support to eligible organizations for establishing, implementing, and operating a State judicial threat intelligence and resource center. The center's mandated functions include providing judicial officer safety education and training, conducting physical security assessments for courts and homes, proactively monitoring threats, coordinating with law enforcement, developing standardized incident reporting, creating a national database for threats, and coordinating research on judicial security best practices.
Section 4
Mandates Annual Reports on Judicial Threats
This section requires the State Justice Institute to submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. The report, due not later than one year after the establishment of the State judicial threat intelligence and resource center, must detail the number of threats to State and local judiciary members and court staff, including a breakdown by types of threats and their level of seriousness. This ensures ongoing congressional oversight and data collection regarding judicial security.