Due Process And Equal Protection
US Congress 116th Congress
Qualified Immunity Act of 2020 [HB-7951]
[Crime ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
[Criminal Justice ]
Codifies the defense of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in any case under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, a law enforcement officer subject to such an action in his or her individual capacity shall not be found liable if the officer establishes that the right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or federal law was not clearly established at the time of the deprivation, or that at this time, the state of the law was not sufficiently clear that every reasonable
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Sponsored by: Sen. Jim Banks
Introduced In House on 08/07/2020
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Climate Equity Act of 2020 [S.4513]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Public Health ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Human Rights ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Requires the review and analysis of new legislation, regulation, or federal investments that are related to environmental or climate change issues and sets forth related requirements. The analysis must determine the impacts of such legislation, regulation, or investments on frontline communities (e.g., communities that have experienced environmental injustice or are vulnerable to climate injustice). Specifically, the bill establishes a Climate and Environmental Equity Office within the Congressional Budget Office. The former must prepare an analysis
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Sponsored by: Sen. Bernard Sanders
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs. on 08/06/2020
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Environmental Justice For All Act [S.4401]
[Environmental ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Health ]
[Community Development ]
[Recreation ]
Establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination. Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination. In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning
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Sponsored by: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Environment And Public Works. on 08/03/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Civil Rights Enhancement and Law Enforcement Accountability Improvement Act of 2020 [HB-7828]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Crime ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Human Rights ]
[Public Safety ]
[Criminal Justice ]
Makes an employer of a law enforcement officer acting under color of law vicariously liable, in the same manner and to the same extent as a private employer is liable for the negligent acts of its employees, for that officer's acts or omissions committed within the scope of employment that deprive individuals of their constitutional rights. The bill prohibits the assertion of a claim of immunity in such actions against law enforcement officers.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steve Cohen
Introduced In House on 07/29/2020
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To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize military judges and military magistrates to issue military court protective orders, and to direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a military-civilian task force on domestic violence and related information collection activities. [HB-7789]
[Defense ]
[Military ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Family-Related Legislation ]
[National Security ]
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize military judges and military magistrates to issue military court protective orders, and to direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a military-civilian task force on domestic violence and related information collection activities.
Sponsored by: Rep. Gerald Connolly
Introduced In House on 07/24/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020 [S.4271]
[Firearms/Gun Control ]
[Crime ]
[Public Safety ]
A bill to reform Federal firearms laws, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mark Warner
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 07/22/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 [HB-7617]
[Defense ]
[Finance ]
[Energy ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Healthcare ]
[Housing ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Aerospace ]
[Education ]
[Arts and Culture ]
Provides FY2021 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. The bill includes 6 of the 12 regular FY2021 appropriations bills: the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2021; the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021; the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021; the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2021; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021; and the Transportation,
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Sponsored by: Rep. Peter Visclosky
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Appropriations. on 08/12/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
State, Foreign Operations, Agriculture, Rural Development, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2021 [HB-7608]
[Agriculture ]
[Defense ]
[Environmental ]
[Food ]
[Veterans ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Military ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Provides FY2021 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. It includes 4 of the 12 regular FY2021 appropriations bills: the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021; the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021; the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021; and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021. The departments and
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Sponsored by: Rep. Nita Lowey
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Appropriations. on 07/30/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Water Resources Development Act of 2020 [HB-7575]
[Water ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Environmental ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
[Construction ]
[Economic Development ]
Modifies water resources infrastructure funding and addresses Army Corps of Engineers projects for navigation, flood damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration. The bill removes certain funds appropriated for harbor operations and maintenance from annual discretionary spending limits. This allows additional funds to be appropriated for these purposes without the amounts counting against annual discretionary spending limits. Further, the bill increases the percentage of available funds allocated annually to emerging harbors (i.e., those that handle
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Sponsored by: Rep. Grace Napolitano
Received In The Senate. on 07/30/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Ending Qualified Immunity Act [S.4142]
[Crime ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Human Rights ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Public Safety ]
Eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. The bill provides that under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 07/01/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
ACCESS Act American Coronavirus/COVID–19 Election Safety and Security Act [HB-7427]
[Elections ]
[Voting Rights ]
[Native American Affairs ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[National Security ]
Requires states and jurisdictions to establish contingency plans to enable individuals to vote in federal elections during emergencies, expands vote-by-mail and early-in person voting, expands online and same-day voter registration, and provides certain accommodations to voters residing on Indian lands.
Sponsored by: Rep. Zoe Lofgren
Introduced In House on 06/30/2020
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Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the wrongs and hardships of Black women are often equal to those experienced by Black men yet receive less attention and justice, and that any legislation passed in the House of Representatives to remedy racial inequities in the United States, especially those present in the criminal justice system, must include reforms to address concerns for Black women. [HR-1027]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Crime ]
[Human Rights ]
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the harm, trauma, and deaths of black women must be recognized alongside those of black men; the position of black women is unique in this country and therefore deserves specific, focused intervention to bring about equality of access, opportunity, and justice; any legislation passed in the House to remedy racial inequities, especially those in the criminal justice system, must include reforms to address concerns for black women; and the creation of a commission to study the
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Sponsored by: Rep. Sean Maloney
Introduced In House on 06/26/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2020 [HB-7356]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Data Privacy ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Science ]
[Artificial Intelligence ]
[Human Rights ]
[Public Safety ]
Imposes limits on the use of biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition systems, by federal and state government entities. A federal agency or official may not in an official capacity acquire, possess, or use in the United States any such system or information obtained by such a system unless Congress passes an act that specifically authorizes such a use. Such an act of Congress must contain certain provisions, such as provisions naming the specific authorized entity and auditing requirements relating to the system. Information obtained
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Sponsored by: Rep. James McGovern
Introduced In House on 06/25/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2020 [S.4084]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Data Privacy ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Science ]
[Artificial Intelligence ]
[Human Rights ]
[Public Safety ]
Imposes limits on the use of biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition systems, by federal and state government entities. A federal agency or official may not in an official capacity acquire, possess, or use in the United States any such system or information obtained by such a system unless Congress passes an act that specifically authorizes such a use. Such an act of Congress must contain certain provisions, such as provisions naming the specific authorized entity and auditing requirements relating to the system. Information obtained
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 06/25/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Foreign Advanced Technology Surveillance Accountability Act [HB-7307]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[Data Privacy ]
[National Security ]
Requires the Department of State to include information on the status of surveillance and use of advanced technology in each foreign country in its annual country reports on human rights practices. Specifically, the State Department must include in such reports a description of each country's status of excessive surveillance and use of advanced technology (e.g., facial recognition or biometric data collection) to impose arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy or unlawful or unnecessary restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly,
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Sponsored by: Rep. Ted Yoho
Introduced In House on 06/24/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Reforming Qualified Immunity Act [S.4036]
[Crime ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Human Rights ]
Modifies the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. The bill provides that under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the
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Sponsored by: Sen. Mike Braun
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 06/23/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 [S.4049]
[Defense ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Artificial Intelligence ]
[Energy ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
[Healthcare ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Science ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Budget and Spending ]
Authorizes FY2021 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation. The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for Procurement, including aircraft, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, shipbuilding and conversion, and missiles; Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; Operation and Maintenance; Working Capital Funds; Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction; Drug
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Sponsored by: Sen. James Inhofe
Message On Senate Action Sent To The House. on 08/07/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
Bivens Act of 2020 [HB-7213]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Human Rights ]
[Criminal Justice ]
Provides statutory authority for individuals to sue and recover damages from federal officials for violations of their constitutional rights. Currently, individuals have a statutory right to bring such suits against state or local officials, commonly known as Section 1983 suits or Bivens actions. Although the statute does not explicitly authorize such suits against federal officials, the Supreme Court has found this right to be inferred from the Constitution.
Sponsored by: Rep. Henry Johnson
Introduced In House on 06/15/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small businesses, and communities are causing death, injury and millions of dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again in the United States. [SR-612]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Crime ]
[Public Safety ]
[Small Business ]
[Human Rights ]
[Criminal Justice ]
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that it is U.S. policy to commemorate the life of George Floyd, to urge an end to violence damaging lives and businesses, and to urge leaders to adjust the training of law enforcement to ensure equal treatment under the law.
Sponsored by: Sen. Kelly Loeffler
Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 06/09/2020
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US Congress 116th Congress
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 [HB-7120]
[Crime ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Public Safety ]
Addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, to enhance transparency and data collection, and to eliminate discriminatory policing practices. The bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict
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Sponsored by: Rep. Sean Maloney
Read The Second Time. Placed On Senate Legislative Calendar Under General Orders. Calendar No. 490. on 07/20/2020