Qualified Immunity Accountability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7290
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1989)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T15:52:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill aims to update federal criminal and civil laws related to actions by law enforcement officers that deprive individuals of their constitutional rights. It focuses on cases involving death and limits certain legal protections for officers.
Key Provisions
- Amends 18 U.S.C. § 242 to change the mental state required for criminal liability from "willfully" to "knowingly or recklessly."
- Removes the possibility of a death sentence under this section.
- Defines that an act results in death if it was a substantial factor in causing the death.
- Amends 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to eliminate qualified immunity as a defense in civil lawsuits against local and federal law enforcement officers.
- Specifies that good-faith belief in the lawfulness of conduct, or the lack of clearly established rights at the time, cannot be used as a defense.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Lowers the threshold for proving criminal intent in rights-deprivation cases involving law enforcement.
- Removes qualified immunity protections that previously shielded officers from civil liability when their actions were not clearly unlawful at the time.
- Broadens the definition of causation in death cases to include acts that substantially contribute to the outcome.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could increase civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions against law enforcement departments, leading to higher costs for training, insurance, and legal defense.
- On citizens: May make it easier for individuals to seek accountability and compensation in cases involving alleged rights violations by officers.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local law enforcement officers and federal investigative or law enforcement officers.
- Individuals and families pursuing civil claims or criminal complaints against officers.
- Law enforcement agencies and local governments responsible for officer conduct and liability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Alters standards for proving violations under color of law, potentially expanding the scope of federal prosecutions.
- Removes a long-standing defense in civil rights cases, shifting the balance toward greater officer accountability.
- Applies specifically to certain defined categories of officers, referencing terms from related policing legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1989)
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Qualified Immunity Accountability Act — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (3 pages)