AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026

This bill directs the Attorney General, through the National Institute of Justice, to study within 3 years what factors lead people to commit animal cruelty and whether animal cruelty predicts later violence against people. The study must develop best practices for intervention, and the Institute must send Congress a report with policy recommendations. The bill also allows the Attorney General to create a grant program for states, local governments, courts, tribes, and certain organizations to train staff, build data systems, and fund intervention and rehabilitation efforts related to animal cruelty. It authorizes $2 million for the study and $2 million for the grants. The bill's definition of animal cruelty excludes farming, slaughter for food, hunting, fishing, research, and euthanasia.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Gary C. Peters Democrat sponsor
• 2 cosponsors