WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 736 · 119th Congress

Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act

Passed SenateDrafted by AI, awaiting reviewCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedFeb 26, 2025
Passed SenateJun 10, 2026
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed Senate. Latest step, Jun 15, 2026: Held at the desk. From Iowa: Chuck Grassley sponsors it. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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S. 736 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the Senate (Jun 10, 2026).

18 U.S.C. 1791 Providing or possessing contraband in prison

  • (b) Punishment.—The punishment for an offense under this section is a fine under… added to · Sec. 2(1), Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(3) · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 Review of policies
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 18 U.S.C. 1791(b)renumberedby S. 736 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;

    Bill text · Current law (18 U.S.C. 1791)

  2. 18 U.S.C. 1791(b)added (4)by S. 736 Sec. 2(2)

    (4) in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section;

    The bill says: by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

    Bill text · Current law (18 U.S.C. 1791)

  3. 18 U.S.C. 1791(b)(5)changedby S. 736 Sec. 2(3)

    The bill says: in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting ", in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(2)," before "(d)(1)(F)".

    Bill text · Current law (18 U.S.C. 1791)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

Bill text used: Engrossed in Senate (passed the Senate June 10, 2026; not yet law) · updated Oct 28, 2026

This breakdown was drafted by AI from the official documents and passed our automatic checks: every quoted word was found in its source, and every number comes from an official record. A person must review it before we mark it reviewed. Tap any small number to see the exact words a sentence rests on.

At a glance

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What it would mean for you

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If you work in a federal prison

Tougher penalties for people who smuggle phones in

If you have a loved one in federal prison

Phone rules for inmates stay the same

If you live in Iowa

Your senator wrote it

What this bill does not do

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Current law vs. the bill

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Every place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.

18 U.S.C. 1791(b)Adds a new paragraph

Current law

imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(D), (d)(1)(E), or (d)(1)(F) of this section
7imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(D), (d)(1)(E), or (d)(1)(F) of this section[7] 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)

Phones were in the 1-year category, whether an outsider provided one or an inmate had one.

The bill

in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section
2in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (4)
In plain words: Providing a phone to an inmate moves to a 2-year maximum; an inmate having one stays at 1 year.
2,7in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (4)in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting , in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(2), before (d)(1)(F).[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(3)imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(D), (d)(1)(E), or (d)(1)(F) of this section[7] 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)

What the bill decides, and what it leaves to others

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Written into the bill

These take effect exactly as written.

  • The new maximum, 2 years, is set in the bill.
    2in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (4)
  • The Bureau of Prisons review has a 1-year deadline.
    2Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 3

Left to agencies or states

The real effect depends on rules someone else writes later.

  • The Bureau of Prisons decides how to update its contraband rules.
    2update those policies as needed to improve protections for incarcerated individuals and staff[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 3(2)
  • Judges decide sentences within the maximum.
    2in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (4)

Section by section

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Read all 3 sections in plain words
Sec. 1 Short title
Names the bill for Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati.
2This Act may be cited as the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act.[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 1
Sec. 2 Penalty for providing a phone
Giving a phone to an inmate, or trying to, would carry up to 2 years in prison, a fine, or both.
2,7provides to an inmate of a prison a prohibited object, or attempts to do so[7] 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (a)(1)in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (4)
 An inmate who has or tries to get a phone would still face up to 1 year.
2,7being an inmate of a prison, makes, possesses, or obtains, or attempts to make or obtain, a prohibited object[7] 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (a)(2)in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting , in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(2), before (d)(1)(F).[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 2(3)imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(D), (d)(1)(E), or (d)(1)(F) of this section[7] 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)
Sec. 3 Review of prison policies
Within 1 year, the Bureau of Prisons would review and update its rules on contraband to protect inmates and staff.
2Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 3conduct a review of the policies of the Bureau of Prisons pertaining to inmates who make, possess, obtain, or attempt to make or obtain a prohibited object[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 3(1)update those policies as needed to improve protections for incarcerated individuals and staff[2] Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Sec. 3(2)

What changed between versions

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2 steps, from first draft to final text

From the Senate bill as introduced to the committee's version (Senate)

No changes to the wording.

From the committee's version (Senate) to the Senate-passed text

No changes to the wording.

Cost

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Analysis

Analysis

Every bill gets the same five questions. Arguments are attributed to the people who made them, and each side gets about the same space.

Path to law

Balance of power

Coalitions

Precedent

The strongest case on each side

For

Against

Did this make sense?

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Three quick questions. Your answers are anonymous and tell us which breakdowns need clearer writing.

1. What would the new maximum be for giving a phone to a federal inmate?
2. Would the penalty change for an inmate who has a phone?
3. Is this bill law yet?

How this was checked

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3 checks
  • Automatic: every quote matched its source; every number matched an official record.
  • Grassley release on the 2024 version: The release says the bill makes smuggling or possessing a phone a felony; the Senate-passed text raises only the penalty for providing a phone (to 2 years). Possession stays at 1 year. Reviewer should confirm.
  • CBO estimate (June 8, 2026): Hand-recorded excerpts; CBO's site blocks automatic download, so an editor must confirm them.

Spot an error? See our corrections log and how to report one

Sources

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All 9 sources
  1. Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Official bill record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  2. Engrossed in Senate (June 10, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  3. Reported to Senate (May 19, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  4. Introduced in Senate (February 26, 2025) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  5. Congressional Record, Senate, June 10, 2026 (S2724-S2727, bills passed en bloc) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  6. Congressional Record, Senate, June 10, 2026 (S2723) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  7. 18 U.S.C. 1791, Providing or possessing contraband in prison (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · U.S. Code (current law) · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  8. CBO: S. 736, Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act (as reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 19, 2026) · Congressional Budget Office · retrieved Oct 28, 2026 · excerpts recorded by hand, awaiting confirmation
  9. Sen. Grassley press release on the earlier version of this bill: Grassley, Ossoff Laud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Prison Contraband Bill (Oct. 10, 2024) · News or advocacy · retrieved Oct 28, 2026 · excerpts recorded by hand, awaiting confirmation

Official summary

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Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act

This bill increases federal criminal penalties for providing or attempting to provide a cell phone to an individual who is incarcerated at a prison.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in Senate, Feb 26, 2025).

What has happened

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  1. Jun 10, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.Library of Congress
  2. May 19, 2026Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.Library of Congress
  3. Feb 26, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show all 11 recorded actions

Cosponsors

  • Marsha Blackburn R-TN
  • Richard Blumenthal D-CT
  • Cory A. Booker D-NJ
  • Christopher A. Coons D-DE
  • Mike Crapo R-ID
  • Ted Cruz R-TX
  • Richard J. Durbin D-IL
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC
  • Mazie K. Hirono D-HI
  • Cindy Hyde-Smith R-MS
  • Amy Klobuchar D-MN
  • James Lankford R-OK
Show 5 more cosponsors
  • Ashley Moody R-FL
  • Jon Ossoff D-GA
  • Alex Padilla D-CA
  • Thom Tillis R-NC
  • Peter Welch D-VT