Criminal justice is a top issue in state legislatures this year

By: Amanda Watford

Outlets: Stateline

Published: February 12, 2026

Words: 1,862

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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Criminal justice has emerged as one of the most wide-ranging and politically charged areas on lawmakers’ agendas in this year’s state legislative sessions. Across the country, legislators are weighing proposals that affect nearly every part of the criminal justice system, including policing, gun policy, solving crimes, sentencing, prison oversight and reentry support.

The breadth of legislation reflects how deeply crime policy intersects with daily life, shaping public safety, civil rights, state spending and the scope …

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