summary
Introduced
02/06/2020
02/06/2020
In Committee
02/06/2020
02/06/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To provide that in the case of a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force against a person, and thereby causes the death of that person, a hearing shall be conducted before a judge to determine whether there is probable cause for the State to bring criminal charges against the law enforcement officer relating to the death of the person, and for other purposes. This bill conditions a state or local government's receipt of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program on the state's compliance with certain requirements following an incident involving the use of deadly force by a local law enforcement officer that results in a person's death. Specifically, the governor must appoint a special prosecutor to present evidence before a judge to determine whether probable cause exists to criminally charge the law enforcement officer. The hearing must be open to the public.
AI Summary
This bill, the Grand Jury Reform Act of 2020, aims to address concerns about the perceived bias in grand jury proceedings involving allegations of police misconduct. The key provisions are:
1. Requiring states to hold a public hearing before a judge to determine if there is probable cause to criminally charge a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force resulting in a person's death, as a condition for receiving certain federal funding.
2. Mandating the governor to appoint a special prosecutor from outside the local jurisdiction to present evidence at the hearing, rather than the local prosecutor who typically works closely with the law enforcement agency.
3. Giving the state law enforcement agency exclusive authority to investigate the incident during the pendency of the probable cause hearing.
4. Requiring the judge to issue a written determination of probable cause, which would be made public, and for the special prosecutor to provide recommendations on potential criminal charges.
The overall goal is to address public concerns about the perceived bias in the typically secretive grand jury process when evaluating allegations of police misconduct, by introducing more transparency and independence into the review process.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (51)
Hank Johnson (D)*,
Nanette Barragán (D),
Don Beyer (D),
Earl Blumenauer (D),
Lisa Blunt Rochester (D),
Anthony Brown (D),
G. Butterfield (D),
Kathy Castor (D),
David Cicilline (D),
Katherine Clark (D),
Yvette Clarke (D),
Lacy Clay (D),
Steve Cohen (D),
Eliot Engel (D),
Chuy García (D),
Al Green (D),
Debra Haaland (D),
Alcee Hastings (D),
Jahana Hayes (D),
Denny Heck (D),
Steven Horsford (D),
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),
Pramila Jayapal (D),
Hakeem Jeffries (D),
Robin Kelly (D),
Joseph Kennedy (D),
Ro Khanna (D),
Brenda Lawrence (D),
Barbara Lee (D),
Gregory Meeks (D),
Gwen Moore (D),
Grace Napolitano (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Ilhan Omar (D),
Donald Payne (D),
Stacey Plaskett (D),
Mark Pocan (D),
Katie Porter (D),
Ayanna Pressley (D),
Cedric Richmond (D),
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D),
Bobby Rush (D),
Michael San Nicolas (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
David Scott (D),
Terri Sewell (D),
Bennie Thompson (D),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
David Trone (D),
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D),
Frederica Wilson (D),
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 02/06/2020)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5779/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5779/BILLS-116hr5779ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5779/BILLS-116hr5779ih.pdf.pdf |
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