HR 6092 — Constitutional Accountability Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html November 18, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands liability for constitutional violations by explicitly including the United States, States, local governments, and their employees acting as law enforcement officers under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  Every → (a) In this section: (1) The term `person' includes-- (A) the United States; (B) a State or Territory or the District of Columbia; (C) a local government; (D) an agency, government body, or any subdivision of the United States, a State or Territory or the District of Columbia, or a local government, or an entity created by a combination of any of the foregoing; and (E) an individual or private entity. (2) The term `law enforcement officer' includes any officer of a local government, or of a State or Territory or the District of Columbia, or of the United States, or an entity created by a combination of any of the foregoing who is empowered by law to execute searches, to seize evidence, or to make arrests for violations of law. (b) Every

  This change defines 'person' to include various government entities and law enforcement officers, thereby expanding the scope of potential defendants under this statute.

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  (2) The United States,

  This addition specifies that the United States can be held liable for constitutional violations, which was not previously clear under existing law.

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  (c) A person is liable under this section for a violation of rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws committed by an individual who at the time of the violation is employed by the person as, or contracted by the person to do the work of, a law enforcement officer. Liability under this subsection shall exist without regard to whether such employee or contractor would be immune from liability, and without regard to whether the employee or contractor was acting pursuant to a policy or custom of the person who is the employer.

  This new provision establishes that employers can be liable for the constitutional violations committed by their law enforcement officers, regardless of the officers' immunity or policies.

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  (d) Pursuant to section 5 of the 14th Amendment, no State shall be immune from suit, under the Eleventh Amendment or other doctrine of State sovereign immunity, for any claims on which subsection (c) subjects a person to liability.

  This provision eliminates state sovereign immunity for claims arising under the new liability standards established in subsection (c).

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  (e) For purposes of an action under subsection (c), the United States waives its sovereign immunity.

  This addition means that individuals can sue the United States for constitutional violations committed by its law enforcement officers.

• 42 U.S.C. 1983

  (f) Except as expressly stated, no provision of this section shall be construed to abolish, repeal, or limit the scope of any right of action otherwise available under this section or any other source of law.

  This provision clarifies that the bill does not limit existing rights to sue under current law.

Action History

1. November 18, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. November 18, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. November 18, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Henry C. "Hank" Johnson · Primary
• Shri Thanedar · Cosponsor
• Debbie Wasserman Schultz · Cosponsor
• Jesús G. "Chuy" García · Cosponsor

Subjects