Under Color of Law Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it directly addresses long-standing concerns about police misconduct and accountability by creating new federal criminal tools. Currently, many misconduct cases are handled at the state level, but this bill would allow the federal government to step in and prosecute officers for specific actions like excessive force, theft, and covering up wrongdoing. This could lead to more consistent application of justice across different jurisdictions.

If this bill becomes law, it could significantly change how police departments and individual officers operate, potentially increasing scrutiny and deterring misconduct due to the threat of federal charges. It could also empower officers to intervene more readily when they witness colleagues committing offenses. If it doesn't pass, the landscape for prosecuting such misconduct would largely remain reliant on existing federal civil rights statutes or state laws, which some argue are insufficient to ensure full accountability.

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes new federal crimes for law enforcement officers who intentionally use excessive force, know the force is excessive, or disregard a substantial risk that the force is excessive, causing bodily injury.

This creates a clear federal criminal standard for excessive force, potentially leading to more federal prosecutions for serious misconduct.

high

Makes it a federal crime for law enforcement officers to steal money, personal property, controlled substances, or contraband while acting under their official authority.

This provision targets specific forms of corruption and abuse of power by officers during arrests, searches, or custody.

high

Criminalizes the act of obstruction by law enforcement officers to cover up color-of-law offenses or violations of constitutional/federal rights, including destroying or altering recording devices or evidence.

This directly addresses attempts by officers to conceal misconduct, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in investigations.

med

Holds officers accountable with the same penalties if they fail to intervene when witnessing excessive force by another officer, provided they had the duty, opportunity, and ability to stop or prevent it.

This provision encourages a culture of intervention and responsibility among officers, potentially preventing harm and fostering accountability within police ranks.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
criminal	Up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine, or both (for excessive force); up to 30 years imprisonment, a fine, or both (if excessive force involves kidnapping, attempted killing, or results in death).	Any person acting under color of law who commits or conspires to commit excessive force, or solicits a violation, or fails to intervene.
criminal	Up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine, or both (if stolen money/property value is over $1,000); up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine, or both (if stolen money/property value is over $500 or for other theft offenses).	Any person acting under color of law who commits theft of money, personal property, controlled substances, or contraband.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Under Color of Law: When a person acts with the authority given to them by a government job, even if their actions are wrong or exceed their legal power. This usually refers to government officials like police officers.
Excessive Force: The use of more physical force than is reasonably necessary by a law enforcement officer to achieve a lawful objective, like making an arrest or preventing a crime.
Bodily Injury: Any physical pain, illness, or other impairment of physical condition.
Contraband: Goods that are illegal to possess or trade, such as illegal drugs or weapons, or items seized by law enforcement because they are prohibited.
Statute of Limitations: A law that sets the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings may be initiated. The bill mentions a section for this, but does not specify the time period in the provided text.
Title 18, United States Code: The main body of federal law in the United States that deals with crimes and criminal procedure.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 9

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 9

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Judiciary CommitteeReferred

Feb 9, 2026

senate

Under Color of Law Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Under Color of Law Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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Under Color of Law Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Under Color of Law Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals