Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Bill To Expand Civil Commitment And Keep Dangerous Offenders Off America's Streets
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 22, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced the Restoring Law and Order on America's Streets Act, legislation to expand federal civil commitment authority and stop dangerous individuals with serious mental illness from cycling through the system with no real consequences.
“Our streets are not mental institutions. Our sidewalks are not homeless encampments. Law-abiding Americans are tired of watching dangerous individuals walk free, reoffend, and walk free again," said Congresswoman Mace. "For too long, soft-on-crime policies have prioritized offenders and left innocent Americans to pay the price. This bill closes the revolving door. If someone is a danger to public safety, the system must step in and keep them off the streets. No more excuses."
Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) provided the following statement in support of the bill:
“I am proud to work with my friend Congresswoman Mace on this important legislation,” said Rep. Burchett. “The Restoring Law and Order on America’s Streets Act will give Americans peace of mind, knowing that dangerous criminals are off our streets and away from our families. We should have zero tolerance for violence in our streets, and I am confident that this legislation will help make America safe again.”
Current law allows the Department of Justice to seek civil commitment for sexually dangerous persons under 18 U.S.C. 4248. This legislation expands this authority to include individuals who are a danger to public safety due to serious mental illness.
The bill defines a “person who is a danger to public safety” as someone who suffers from a serious mental illness, abnormality, or disorder resulting in serious difficulty refraining from conduct including:
- Crimes of violence
- Burglary, robbery, or larceny
- Public drug possession, use, sale, or distribution
- Urban camping or urban squatting
- Vandalism
The legislation also requires mandatory Department of Justice evaluations for individuals in custody who are homeless to determine whether they are a sexually dangerous person or a danger to public safety, and qualify for civil commitment.
"Enough is enough," Mace continued. "Dangerous individuals with serious mental illness should not be cycling through the system with zero real intervention. This bill forces accountability. If you are a danger to the public, the system should treat you like it."
Rep. Mace’s bill builds on President Trump’s Executive Order 14321, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets, which calls for restoring civil commitment tools and addressing public disorder, including cases involving homelessness and serious mental illness.
SEE BILL TEXT BELOW:
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