S. 3824

119 S3824 IS: State Authority to Protect Civil Rights
 U.S. Senate
 2026-02-10
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 3824  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   February 10, 2026   Mr. Booker  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for certain actions by State attorneys general.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   State Authority to Protect Civil Rights  .
2.
Actions by State attorneys general
(a)
Conspiracy against rights
Section 241 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking  If two or more persons conspire  and inserting the following:
(a)
Prohibited activities and penalties
If two or more persons conspire
 ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(b)
Actions by State attorneys generals
(1)
In general
If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons has suffered bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death resulting from conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.
(2)
Relief
In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.
 .
(b)
Deprivation of rights under color of law
Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking  Whoever  and inserting the following:
(a)
Prohibited activities and penalties
Whoever
 ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(b)
Actions by State attorneys general
(1)
In general
If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is being, has been, or may be injured by conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.
(2)
Relief
In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.
 .