Sponsors (15)
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Eliminates qualified immunity as a defense for federal, state, and local law enforcement officers in civil actions brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, so officers may not rely on claims they acted in good faith or that a right was not "clearly established." The change applies to lawsuits pending on or filed after the date of enactment. The bill also makes an additional, unspecified amendment related to civil actions against federal law enforcement officers under the same statute (text for that part was not provided).
The bill improves victims' access to remedies and clarity around police liability—potentially reducing misconduct—while shifting significant financial and operational costs onto local governments, courts, and police agencies and introducing risks that federal-liability changes could either narrow or broaden protections depending on how they are applied.
People subjected to unlawful policing — especially racial and ethnic minorities, low-income people, and people with disabilities — will have an easier path to hold officers civilly liable because defendants cannot invoke the qualified immunity 'clearly established' defense.
Victims of constitutional violations — including uninsured and low-income individuals — are more likely to receive monetary relief because more §1983 claims can proceed to merits without immunity blocking damages.
Communities with higher rates of police contact — particularly urban and racial-ethnic-minority communities — may see reduced instances of excessive force because stronger accountability can deter unlawful officer conduct.
Local governments and taxpayers could face substantially higher legal costs and payouts because more §1983 judgments and settlements are likely without qualified immunity blocking suits.
Law enforcement officers may practice more defensive policing or hesitate in uncertain emergency situations because of increased personal civil liability, potentially reducing public safety responsiveness.
Police agencies could struggle to recruit and retain officers due to heightened civil exposure and potential increases in insurance and personnel costs.
Introduced January 13, 2026 by Ayanna Pressley · Last progress January 13, 2026