WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Michael Baumgartner welcomed House passage of two public safety bills aimed at bringing greater accountability and transparency to our nation’s bail system.

“Bail policy is primarily a state and local responsibility, but the American people deserve transparency about policies that may put violent offenders back on the streets,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “These bills help bring accountability to local officials and jurisdictions that have adopted dangerous bail practices while giving citizens better information about how these systems are operating in their communities.”

H.R. 6260, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act of 2025, subjects charitable bail funds to federal insurance fraud laws and state regulatory oversight. 

H.R. 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act, requires the Department of Justice to publicly identify jurisdictions that allow individuals accused of serious violent or sexual offenses to be released through cashless bail or unsecured appearance bonds.

Both bills passed the House of Representatives with Congressman Baumgartner’s support and will now go to the Senate for consideration.