Legislative Activity
Track Wesley's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
The DART Act of 2025 expands federal justice grant funding for evidence-based diversion and rehabilitation programs while establishing a national clearinghouse to support these efforts.
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO
The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by shifting focus toward rehabilitation and diversion programs over incarceration. This legislation expands the use of federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds to support pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release services. Furthermore, it establishes a National Clearinghouse to promote evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in these justice reform efforts.
The Community First Act establishes federal grants to help local partnerships analyze data and implement strategies to significantly reduce local jail populations and associated equity disparities.
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO
Wesley Bell
Representative
MO
The Community First Act establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Attorney General to help local governments significantly reduce their jail populations and the length of pretrial detention. These grants fund both data analysis for planning and the implementation of evidence-based strategies like reducing cash bail and expanding pretrial services. Grantees must meet strict annual goals for incarceration rate reduction, or risk losing their funding. The Act prioritizes ambitious plans from high-incarceration areas while ensuring rural and mid-sized communities receive funding opportunities.