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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 350 (105th)

Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights Act of 1997

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

7 January 1997

Last action

28 January 1997 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

Sponsors

Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1], Rep. Ney, Robert W. [R-OH-18], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17], Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3], Rep. Taylor, Charles H. [R-NC-11], Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-14], Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2], Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-11], Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1], Rep. Thurman, Karen L. [D-FL-5], Rep. Quinn, Jack [R-NY-27], Rep. Spratt, John M., Jr. [D-SC-5], Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24], Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2], Rep. Dicks, Norman D. [D-WA-6], Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29], Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Martinez, Matthew G. [D-CA-31], Sen. Bunning, Jim [R-KY], Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14], Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5], Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4], Rep. Lewis, Ron [R-KY-2], Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3], Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11], Rep. Clement, Bob [D-TN-5], Rep. Costello, Jerry F. [D-IL-12], Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7], Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3], Rep. LaHood, Ray [R-IL-18], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Rep. Lipinski, William O. [D-IL-3], Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4], Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1], Rep. Furse, Elizabeth [D-OR-1], Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9], Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH], Rep. Poshard, Glenn [D-IL-22], Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10], Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17], Rep. Klink, Ron [D-PA-4], Rep. Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [D-IL-2], Rep. Christensen, Jon [R-NE-2]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

21 August 2025

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Summary

Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights Act of 1997 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that, except when on duty or acting in an official capacity, no law enforcement officer (officer) shall be prohibited from engaging in political activity or be denied the right to refrain from engaging in such activity. Sets forth minimum standards that apply when an officer is under investigation that could lead to disciplinary action, including, with respect to: (1) rights of officers while under investigation, the right to be notified of the investigation prior to being interviewed and, at the conclusion of the investigation, to be informed in writing of the investigative findings and any recommendation for disciplinary action; (2) rights of officers prior to and during questioning, that the questioning be conducted at a reasonable hour at the offices of the persons conducting the investigation or at the place where the officer reports for duty (unless the officer consents in writing to being questioned elsewhere), that the officer be informed of the questioner's identity, that all questions be asked by or through a single investigator, that the officer be informed in writing of the nature of the investigation prior to any questioning, that the questioning be for a reasonable time period, that no threats or promises be made in connection with an investigation to induce the answering of any question, that all questioning be recorded in full (and a copy of the transcript made available to the officer), and that the officer be entitled to counsel (or another person of the officer's choice) at any questioning (unless the officer consents in writing to being questioned outside the presence of counsel); and (3) the conduct of a disciplinary hearing, notice of opportunity for a hearing, requirement of determination of a violation, time limits, notice of filing of charges, representation, provision of a hearing board and procedure, access to evidence, identification of witnesses, a copy of the investigative file, examination of physical evidence, summonses, closed hearings, recordation, sequestration of witnesses, testimony under oath, verdicts on each charge, the burden of persuasion, findings of not guilty or guilty, and appeals. Allows an officer to waive any of the rights guaranteed by this Act subsequent to the time that the officer has been notified that he or she is under investigation. Specifies that such a waiver shall be in writing and signed by the officer. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) summary punishment and emergency suspension; (2) retaliation for exercising rights; (3) other remedies; (4) declaratory or injunctive relief; (5) prohibition of adverse material in the officer's file (unless the officer has an opportunity to review and comment in writing on such material); (6) disclosure of personal assets; (7) States' rights; and (8) mutually agreed upon collective bargaining agreements.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 7 January 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 7 January 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 7 January 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 28 January 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 January 1997

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 January 1997

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 7 January 1997

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Sponsors

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Related records

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Sources

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