United States Code

42 U.S.C. § 1988

Proceedings in vindication of civil rights

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Bills that would change it 42

  • S 4884 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 9437 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 9222 Drain the Swamp Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • S 4635 SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 8965 SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • S 3366 Back the Blue Act of 2025 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 5601 Faith in Housing Act of 2025 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • S 2523 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 14 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • S 204 Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 650 Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 119th Congress
  • HR 11 Freedom to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • HR 8825 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 3916 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 3571 Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • HR 6934 Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • HR 14 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 1 Freedom to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 2344 Freedom to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • S 492 CONSCIENCE Act of 2023 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • HR 425 History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 118th Congress
  • HR 4959 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • S 4163 CONSCIENCE Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • HR 5746 Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • S 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • S 2747 Freedom to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • HR 2224 History and Tradition Protection Act of 2021 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • HR 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • S 2615 Right to Vote Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 117th Congress
  • HR 5395 Back the Blue Act of 2019 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 116th Congress
  • S 1480 Back the Blue Act of 2019 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 116th Congress
  • HR 1468 SAFE Act of 2019 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 116th Congress
  • HR 1269 History and Tradition Protection Act of 2019 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 116th Congress
  • S 627 SAFE Act of 2019 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 116th Congress
  • S 2584 Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • HR 5374 Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • S 2525 First Amendment Defense Act Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • S 2043 Security and Financial Empowerment Act of 2017 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • HR 4198 Security and Financial Empowerment Act of 2017 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • HR 2437 Back the Blue Act of 2017 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress
  • S 1134 Back the Blue Act of 2017 Amends 1988(b) · introduced · 115th Congress

The law today

From the official United States Code, current through Public Law 119-121.

(a) Applicability of statutory and common law The jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters conferred on the district courts by the provisions of titles 13, 24, and 70 of the Revised Statutes for the protection of all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and for their vindication, shall be exercised and enforced in conformity with the laws of the United States, so far as such laws are suitable to carry the same into effect; but in all cases where they are not adapted to the object, or are deficient in the provisions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and punish offenses against law, the common law, as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State wherein the court having jurisdiction of such civil or criminal cause is held, so far as the same is not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall be extended to and govern the said courts in the trial and disposition of the cause, and, if it is of a criminal nature, in the infliction of punishment on the party found guilty. (b) Attorney’s fees In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of sections 1981, 1981a, 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1986 of this title, title IX of Public Law 92–318 [20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.], the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 [42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.], the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 2000cc et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], or section 12361 of title 34, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity such officer shall not be held liable for any costs, including attorney’s fees, unless such action was clearly in excess of such officer’s jurisdiction. (c) Expert fees In awarding an attorney’s fee under subsection (b) in any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of section 1981 or 1981a of this title, the court, in its discretion, may include expert fees as part of the attorney’s fee.
Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗