S-2471 : Still Just a Bill

Granting Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2018 or the GRACE Act

The bill amends the Second Chance Act of 2007 to modify provisions that authorize the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to reduce the prison term (i.e., release early) certain federal prisoners.

Specifically, in the case of a defendant diagnosed with a terminal illness, the bill requires the BOP to comply with new requirements. Among other things, the BOP must

• notify the defendant's representatives of the terminal illness and opportunity to request a reduced sentence, and
• allow family members to visit the defendant.