Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, has taken over sponsorship of the Second Chance Act of 2005, legislation aimed at reducing prison recidivism, increasing public safety and helping states deal with the burgeoning population of inmates. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, had carried the bill but resigned his seat in April to become the U.S. trade representative. Cannon had been a co-sponsor. The legislation establishes a resource center for states, local governments and community and faith-based organizations to work toward the best ways to prevent former inmates from returning to prison. It also creates a federal task force to identify what barriers exist in returning prisoners to society. Additionally, Cannon's bill also would enact "Carlie's Law," named after Carlie Brucia, who was kidnapped and murdered in 2004. That law would revoke probation or supervised release of a federal felon if he or she commits a felony crime of violence against a minor. The bill is assigned to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. - Thomas Burr