Sponsors (3)
The bill expands victims' access to jury trials and potential remedies for harms caused by federal law enforcement but raises the risk of higher federal liability costs, greater litigation exposure for officers, and legal uncertainty for courts and parties.
People harmed by federal law enforcement officers (including some with pending or older claims) can seek a jury trial in federal court for FTCA claims, increasing victims' access to jury decisions and potentially broader remedies and accountability.
Clarifies which personnel qualify as 'Federal law enforcement officers,' reducing ambiguity about who is covered and helping agencies, courts, and officers apply the law consistently.
Taxpayers could face higher settlement and judgment costs if more FTCA claims against federal law enforcement proceed to juries and succeed, increasing federal liability payouts.
Federal law enforcement officers may face greater litigation and liability exposure, which could harm morale, retention, and recruitment within federal law enforcement.
Retroactive application to claims arising before enactment may open older incidents to new litigation, increasing legal uncertainty and costs for both claimants and the government.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows claimants to demand jury trials for FTCA tort claims based on federal law enforcement officers, defines covered officers, and adjusts defenses and scope under the FTCA.
Official title: Amend title 28, United States Code, to permit actions to be instituted upon claims against the United States for money damages for personal injuries and death caused by Federal law enforcement officers without first being presented to the appropriate Federal agencies, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 9, 2026 by Cory Anthony Booker · Last progress February 9, 2026
Allows people who sue the United States for torts arising from negligent or wrongful acts by federal law enforcement officers to request a jury trial in federal court, defines which officers are covered, and narrows certain defenses the government can raise. The change amends the Federal Tort Claims Act framework to make claims against federal law enforcement officers subject to the chapter’s provisions and applies to claims before, on, or after enactment while not reviving time‑barred or finally adjudicated claims.