Police Accountability Act of 1991

Summary

Police Accountability Act of 1991 - Makes it unlawful for any governmental authority to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives persons of their constitutional or statutory rights, privileges, or immunities. Authorizes: (1) civil actions by the Attorney General and by any injured person to obtain equitable and declaratory relief to eliminate any such pattern or practice; and (2) the court to allow the prevailing plaintiff (in the case of an action by an injured person) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation fees and costs, including expert's fees. Specifies that a governmental body shall be liable for such fees and costs to the same extent as a private individual. Establishes penalties for police brutality (excessive force), including a fine and imprisonment for any term of years or life if death results, for not more than ten years if bodily injury other than death results, and for not to exceed one year in any other case. Directs the Attorney General to acquire and publish an annual summary of data about complaints to criminal justice authorities about the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. Requires State applications for justice system improvement grants (under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968) to include a certification that the State and its units of local government are providing such data to the Attorney General.

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Timeline

1. 23 July 1991

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 23 July 1991

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 23 July 1991

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 31 July 1991

   Committee

   Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

5. 31 July 1991

   Committee

   Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.

   Source: Committee

6. 31 July 1991

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · undated · Official file

Documents

2 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 23 July 1991

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Edwards, Don [D-CA-10] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-26] · D · Sponsor
• JOHN CONYERS · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Dixon, Julian C. [D-CA-28] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Dymally, Mervyn M. [D-CA-31] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Kopetski, Mike [D-OR-5] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Levine, Mel [D-CA-27] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Washington, Craig A. [D-TX-18] · D · Sponsor
• Maxine Waters · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1] · D · Cosponsor
• PETER DEFAZIO · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

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