A bill to amend section 1979 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983), relating to civil actions for the deprivation of rights, to limit the applicability of that statute to laws relating to equal rights, and to provide a special defense to the liability of political subdivisions of States.

Summary

Amends current law creating a Federal cause of action for the violation of a person's civil rights under color of State law to limit such actions to those for deprivation of constitutional rights or of legal rights under laws providing for equal rights of citizens or all persons within U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits the award of damages against any Federal, State, or local governmental entity in any action for the deprivation of rights where the court finds that the officials involved acted in good faith. Grants Federal jurisdiction in these cases only after all administrative and judicial remedies have been exhausted.

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Timeline

1. 7 February 1985

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 7 February 1985

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 3 May 1985

   Referred

   Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

   Source: Committee

4. 7 May 1985

   Committee

   Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department.

   Source: Committee

5. 12 February 1986

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

6. 17 June 1986

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Constitution. Approved for full committee consideration without amendment favorably.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

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Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 7 February 1985

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Denton, Jeremiah [R-AL] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hecht, Chic [R-NV] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

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