Bill · H.R. 3602· House(119-HR-3602)

Ending Qualified Immunity Act

Age: 52 years

Massachusetts

Introduced: 5/23/2025
Last activity: 5/23/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsored by: Ayanna Pressley
Cosponsors: - 18 - 0

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

The ``Ending Qualified Immunity Act'' seeks to amend the Revised Statutes to remove the defense of qualified immunity. This change specifically impacts actions taken under section 1979 of the Revised Statutes. The bill aims to ensure that government officials cannot use certain defenses when their actions violate federal legal and constitutionally secured rights. By amending the law, the act intends to prevent the use of good-faith or "clearly established" standards as defenses. This would change how liability is determined for persons acting under color of law.

Yes· 3 of 12

Does this change how police departments operate?+7
Eliminating qualified immunity increases accountability for law enforcement officers regarding constitutional violations.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+6
The bill addresses historical and contemporary patterns of rights violations frequently experienced by Black Americans.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
Removing qualified immunity facilitates legal recourse for civil rights violations that disproportionately affect minority communities.

The opposite

Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
By removing a key defense for state officials, the bill reduces the legal autonomy and protection afforded to state actors.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Improved ability to recover damages: The bill notes that the doctrine of qualified immunity has severely limited the ability of many plaintiffs to recover damages when their rights are violated by State and local officials (Section 2, Finding 9). Removing this defense would address this limitation.
Protection of constitutional rights: The bill states that the current intent of Congress regarding section 1983 has been frustrated and that rights secured by the Constitution have not been appropriately protected (Section 2, Finding 10). By removing the qualified immunity defense, the bill aims to ensure these rights are better protected.
Clarification of liability: The bill seeks to reiterate the standard found on the face of the statute (Section 3). This would remove the ability for defendants to avoid liability based on whether a right was clearly established'' or whether they acted in good faith'' (Section 4, subsection (b)).

Potential Negative Impacts for People

The provided text does not list any specific negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups.

Groups and Interests Ranking

Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.

Demographic And Interest Groups: Good For African Americans+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Urban Residents+3
Social Issues And Justice: Improves Policing Reform+7Improves Racial Equity+6
Governance And Ideology: Improves Due Process+5Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-4