Bill · H.R. 7290· House(119-HR-7290)
Qualified Immunity Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 1/30/2026
- Last activity
- 2/4/2026 — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1989)
- Sponsored by
- Julie Johnson
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill is called the "Qualified Immunity Accountability Act." It changes the standards for when someone can be charged if a deprivation of rights under color of law results in death. It replaces the word "willfully" with "knowingly or recklessly" and defines an act as resulting in death if it was a substantial factor. Additionally, it removes certain defenses and immunities for local, Federal investigative, and law enforcement officers in legal actions.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this change how police departments operate?+9
Directly removes qualified immunity defenses and lowers the burden of proof for criminal liability in death cases.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+8
Increases police accountability, which is a critical issue for African American communities.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+8
Increases police accountability, which is a critical issue for Hispanic American communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability for Officials: By changing the legal standard from "willfully" to "knowingly or recklessly" in Section 2, it may be easier to hold officials accountable for deaths resulting from the deprivation of rights.
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Removal of Qualified Immunity Defenses: Section 3 removes the defense that an officer acted in good faith or believed their conduct was lawful. This allows individuals to seek justice even if the officer claimed they thought their actions were legal.
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Easier Legal Recourse for Unclear Laws: Section 3 removes the defense that constitutional rights were not "clearly established" at the time of the incident. This means officers cannot avoid liability just because the state of the law was unclear.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Legal Risk for Law Enforcement: Section 3 removes several immunities for local and Federal law enforcement officers, which may increase their personal legal vulnerability when performing their duties.
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+8Good For Hispanic Americans+8Good For Asian Americans+6Good For Immigrants+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Urban Residents+6Good For Low Income Households+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+9Improves Racial Equity+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6
- 2/4/2026
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1989)
- 1/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.