H.R. 8217 – Next Gen Road Safety Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 13, 2026 at 2:16 AM UTC

The Next Gen Road Safety Act amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to let law‑enforcement agencies use COPS grant money to buy equipment that helps prevent or calm high‑speed vehicle chases. The change is aimed at improving public safety during police pursuits and applies to any agency that receives COPS funding.

Key Provisions

Adds a new authorized use (paragraph 25) for COPS grants, allowing agencies to procure equipment, technology, or support systems for pursuit prevention and de‑escalation.
Specifically includes items such as vehicle‑disabling systems, police bumper systems, and drones.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 9, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 9, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 9, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 9, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8217

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 9, 2026

Ms. Friedman (for herself and Ms. Lee of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize law enforcement agencies to use COPS grants for equipment to assist in the prevention and de-escalation of high-speed vehicular pursuits.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Next Gen Road Safety Act.

2.

Grants for equipment to assist in the prevention and de-escalation of high-speed vehicular pursuits

Section 1701(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (23), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (24), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(25)

to procure equipment, technology, or support systems (including vehicle-disabling systems, police bumper systems, and drones) to assist law enforcement agencies in the prevention and de-escalation of high-speed vehicular pursuits.

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