H.R. 5649

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To provide for civil liability in the case of any judicial officer who acts with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence in a bond determination or sentencing decision.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · September 30, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Moore of North Carolina · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 5649
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Civil Liability
  • SEC. 3. Definitions

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Civil Liability

• (a) Cause of action
  • Any person who establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such person was injured by any action taken, with intentional disregard for public safety or with gross negligence, by a judicial officer in a bond determination or sentencing hearing may obtain, in a civil action, such relief as the court may determine appropriate, which may include punitive damages.
• (b) Rule of construction
  • This Act may not be construed to apply to a judicial act taken in good faith or within the scope of ordinary judicial discretion.
• (c) Limitation on immunity
  • Any immunity otherwise applicable to such a judicial officer under Federal or State law may not be asserted in a civil action under this section.

SEC. 3. Definitions

• For purposes of this Act:
  • The term means— judicial officer
  • The term means an intentional act or omission that ignores or overrides evidence, statutory mandates, or clear risks to community safety in the exercise of bond or sentencing discretion. intentional disregard for public safety
  • The term includes any judicial order regarding bail, pretrial release, or conditions of release. bond determination
  • The term includes any judicial order, issued upon conviction, that imposes— sentencing decision