The bill establishes a Criminal Accountability Grant Program, administered by the attorney general, to provide financial assistance to cities and towns for offsetting costs associated with criminal activity. The program will award grants based on specific criteria, including increases in incarceration costs, reported violent crimes, fentanyl-related cases, and crimes involving nonresidents. The attorney general is tasked with developing the application process and ensuring that grants are used solely for the intended purpose of addressing criminal activity costs. Additionally, the bill mandates that the attorney general submit annual reports detailing grant applications and awards.

To fund this initiative, the bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026, specifically for the grant program, with a stipulation that these funds cannot be used for any other purpose. The legislation also expresses the intent to double this funding in future budget requests. The attorney general is required to create necessary rules for implementation, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025, while certain sections will become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.