Two federal bills were signed into law on September 16, 2026, according to a release from the White House. The legislation includes measures affecting federal court operations in Texas and safety protocols for federal prison employees.
S. 32, designated as the Local Access to Courts Act, modifies the list of authorized locations for federal court proceedings. Under this law, College Station, Texas, is added to the sites where court may be held within the Southern District of Texas. The bill also includes El Centro, California, for the Southern District of California.
The second measure, S. 307, is titled the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act. This legislation directs the Bureau of Prisons, which operates under the Department of Justice, to implement specific requirements. These mandates focus on addressing instances of sexual harassment and sexual assault committed by incarcerated individuals against Bureau of Prisons staff.
The White House release confirms that both bills have been enacted. No further details regarding implementation timelines or specific procedural changes were provided in the source material.
