H.R. 1280: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

117th Congress · Sponsored from California · In progress

What this bill does

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements. The bill enhances existing enforcement mechanisms to remedy violations by law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations. It establishes a framework to prevent and remedy racial profiling by law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels. It also limits the unnecessary use of force and restricts the use of no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and carotid holds. The bill creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It also establishes new reporting requirements, including on the use of force, officer misconduct, and routine policing practices (e.g., stops and searches). Finally, it directs DOJ to create uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies and requires law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.

Key facts

• Status In progress
• Introduced 2021-02-24
• Policy area Crime and Law Enforcement
• Cosponsors 199
• Latest action Received in the Senate.

Sponsor

Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]

Lead sponsor · California

D

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] introduced H.R. 1280. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 1280? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →