2022

LA HB 745 will amend the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights to increase accountability and transparency by requiring departments to permanently preserve records of officer misconduct and permitting public access.

AB 834 / SB 874 would prohibit local police agencies and elected officials from making any local democratic decisions that would limit the inherently dangerous tactic of executing a warrant without knocking and announcing first (also known as a no-knock warrant).

WA HB 1726 and HB 2037 would roll back last year’s restrictions and protections addressing the use of force by peace officers, which the state passed to reduce police violence. This bill would expand instances in which officers can use physical force, including in situations where it would not be constitutional, such as the right to use physical force when stopping an individual from fleeing an investigative stop.

HF 3398 will place crucial restrictions on the use of no-knock warrants, a dangerous policing tactic with a high risk of injury and emotional trauma for the occupants of the home, as well as the involved officers. HF 3398 will minimize or eliminate many of the harms caused by no-knock raids by prohibiting raids for drug searches and creating a clear and convincing standard of proof to issue warrants, ensuring judges closely review each individual case before granting permission.

LB 882 will guarantee public access to information about police officer misconduct, which is critical to police accountability, the safety of communities, and the integrity of the criminal legal system. LB 882 will require police agencies to permanently retain records of misconduct, ensuring people who may suffer future abuse can access and share them with their legal representation and neighbors.

LA HB 702 will provide victims of civil rights abuses with a path to sue law enforcement officers in state court without the shield of qualified immunity.

Vermont S 250 or the Act relating to enhanced administrative and judicial accountability of law enforcement officers would create a process for Vermonters to sue police officers, corrections officers, contractors, court security and other peace officers for excessive force and other violations of individual rights. 

NY S1991 / A4331 or the End Qualified Immunity Act removes the special protection of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in the state of New York, including police officers, corrections officers, and state and municipal government employees. Currently, qualified immunity prevents victims of police violence and abuse of power from suing the offending officers in civil courts. This act ensures these victims have access to justice and increases public safety for all.

WA HB 1202 or the Peace Officer Accountability Act (POAA) eliminates obstacles to civil liability for law enforcement officers who engage in misconduct by creating a new legal path to hold officers accountable. The POAA also makes departments liable for bad hiring, inadequate training, and negligent disciplining. Additionally, the POAA expands access to justice by allowing attorney’s fee and cost recovery if the victim wins their lawsuit, and it allows the Attorney General’s office to investigate and bring a lawsuit to address patterns of wrongdoing by officers and departments.

MA H 1479 or the Act to Remove Qualified Immunity for Civil Rights Violations provides victims of civil rights abuses with a path to sue police in state court without the shield of qualified immunity.