Bill > A09076

This bill establishes the New York Civil Rights Act, which creates a new legal mechanism for individuals to seek remedies when their constitutional rights are violated by federal, state, or local officials. The bill aims to address a perceived gap in legal protections resulting from recent Supreme Court decisions that have limited citizens' ability to sue for constitutional rights violations. Under this act, any person who deprives another of their constitutional rights while acting "under color of law" can be held liable in a civil action. The bill allows plaintiffs to seek compensatory damages (including emotional distress and pain and suffering), punitive damages for malicious or willful violations, injunctive and declaratory relief, and reasonable attorneys' fees. Defendants can still assert immunity defenses similar to those available under federal law, and the bill explicitly does not waive sovereign immunity. The legislation is designed to provide New Yorkers with a meaningful avenue for holding government officials accountable when they violate constitutional rights, while maintaining respect for federal legal principles. The bill emphasizes restoring meaningful remedies for constitutional violations and ensures that rights are paired with appropriate legal recourse.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9076