Secure Access to Justice and Court Protection Act of 2005

Court Security Improvement Act of 2006 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal judicial code to direct the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements for the judicial branch.

(Sec. 102) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the Judicial Conference's authority to redact information from the financial disclosure reports of federal judges to permit the redaction of information relating to family members of such judges.

(Sec. 103) Extends through 2009 the authority of the Judicial Conference to grant redactions of required information from federal judges' financial disclosure reports.

(Sec. 104) Amends the federal judicial code and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the U.S. Marshals Service to provide for the security of the Tax Court, its personnel, and other threatened persons where criminal intimidation impedes the functioning of the Court.

(Sec. 105) Authorizes additional appropriations for FY2006-FY2010 to hire U.S. marshals to provide judicial security.

Title II: Criminal Law Enhancements to Protect Judges, Family Members, and Witnesses - (Sec. 201) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the filing (or conspiring or attempting to file) in any public record a false lien or encumbrance against the real or personal property of a federal officer or employee on account of the performance of official duties by such officer or employee knowing that such lien or encumbrance is materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for a violation.

(Sec. 202) Makes it a crime to knowingly publish restricted information (social security number, home address, home phone number, mobile phone number, personal email, or home fax number) about a covered official (federal officer or employee, a grand or petit juror, witness, or other officer serving a court) or immediate family member with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite a crime against such person or with the intent and knowledge that such information will be used to harm such person. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years for violations.

(Sec. 203) Prohibits the possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal court facility.

(Sec. 204) Permits a criminal prosecution for retaliation against a witness to be brought in the district in which the official proceeding was intended to be affected, or in which the conduct constituting the retaliation occurred.

(Sec. 205) Increases criminal penalties for: (1) tampering with or retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant; and (2) voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.

Title III: Protecting State and Local Judges and Related Grant Programs - (Sec. 301) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to provide for grants to states, local governments, or Indian tribes to create and expand witness and victim protection programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.

(Sec. 302) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to makes state and local courts eligible for correctional options grants and armored vest grants.

Title IV: Law Enforcement Officers - (Sec. 401) Amends the federal criminal code to reduce the number of years retired law enforcement officers must serve in order to carry concealed weapons and to revise the identification requirements for such officers.

(Sec. 402) Directs the Attorney General, not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, to submit to the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary a report on the security of assistant U.S. attorneys arising from the prosecution of terrorists, violent gangs, drug traffickers, gun traffickers, white supremacists, and those who commit fraud and other white-collar offenses, and other criminal cases.

(Sec. 403) Directs the Comptroller General to begin, not later than six months after enactment of this Act, a study of the number of active and retired law enforcement officers carrying concealed weapons.

Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 501) Allows the U.S. Sentencing Commission to enter into multi-year procurement contracts.

(Sec. 502) Extends certain life insurance benefits to bankruptcy, magistrate, and territorial judges.

(Sec. 503) Amends the federal judicial code to grant certain senior judges the power the participate in the appointment of court officers and magistrates, rulemaking, governance, and administrative powers.

(Sec. 504) Amends the federal judicial code to grant certain senior judges all powers of active judges, including the power to participate in the appointment of court officers and magistrates, rulemaking, governance, and administrative matters.

(Sec. 505) Reauthorizes the Office of Government Ethics through FY2011.

(Sec. 506) Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a pilot program in FY2007-FY2008 for home detention of certain nonviolent offenders age 60 or older.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov