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Constitutional Accountability Act

USA119th CongressS-3186| Senate 
| Updated: 11/18/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (3)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Constitutional Accountability Act aims to significantly expand the liability of governmental entities for constitutional violations by law enforcement officers. It achieves this by amending Section 1983 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983), which provides a civil remedy for the deprivation of rights. Specifically, the bill redefines "person" under Section 1983 to explicitly include the United States, States, Territories, local governments, and their agencies. A key provision establishes that these governmental entities are liable for constitutional violations committed by their employed or contracted law enforcement officers, irrespective of whether the officer acted pursuant to an official policy or custom, or if the officer would otherwise be immune from liability. This directly addresses and overturns the Supreme Court's Monell doctrine, which previously limited municipal liability. Furthermore, the Act ensures accountability by explicitly waiving sovereign immunity for States under the Eleventh Amendment, citing Congress's power under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment. It also waives the sovereign immunity of the United States for these claims, thereby providing a clear statutory cause of action against federal entities. The bill intends to strengthen civil remedies for constitutional rights violations and incentivize better hiring, training, and supervision of law enforcement personnel across all levels of government.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3415
Constitutional Accountability Act
Nov 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6092
Introduced in House
Nov 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3415
    Constitutional Accountability Act


  • November 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6092
    Introduced in House


  • November 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6092: Constitutional Accountability Act

Constitutional Accountability Act

USA119th CongressS-3186| Senate 
| Updated: 11/18/2025
The Constitutional Accountability Act aims to significantly expand the liability of governmental entities for constitutional violations by law enforcement officers. It achieves this by amending Section 1983 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983), which provides a civil remedy for the deprivation of rights. Specifically, the bill redefines "person" under Section 1983 to explicitly include the United States, States, Territories, local governments, and their agencies. A key provision establishes that these governmental entities are liable for constitutional violations committed by their employed or contracted law enforcement officers, irrespective of whether the officer acted pursuant to an official policy or custom, or if the officer would otherwise be immune from liability. This directly addresses and overturns the Supreme Court's Monell doctrine, which previously limited municipal liability. Furthermore, the Act ensures accountability by explicitly waiving sovereign immunity for States under the Eleventh Amendment, citing Congress's power under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment. It also waives the sovereign immunity of the United States for these claims, thereby providing a clear statutory cause of action against federal entities. The bill intends to strengthen civil remedies for constitutional rights violations and incentivize better hiring, training, and supervision of law enforcement personnel across all levels of government.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3415
Constitutional Accountability Act
Nov 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6092
Introduced in House
Nov 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3415
    Constitutional Accountability Act


  • November 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6092
    Introduced in House


  • November 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (3)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6092: Constitutional Accountability Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted