Ending Qualified Immunity Act

# Ending Qualified Immunity Act Summary **What It Would Do** This bill would eliminate "qualified immunity," a legal protection that shields police officers and other government officials from personal lawsuits unless they violated a "clearly established" right. Currently, even if an officer's actions seem wrong, citizens often cannot sue them unless previous court cases had already ruled similar conduct illegal. The bill would remove this protection, making it easier for people to sue government officials in federal court for violating their constitutional or federal rights. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects law enforcement officers and other federal, state, and local government employees, as they would lose this legal shield. Citizens who believe their rights were violated would have an easier path to sue these officials.

The measure would apply to civil lawsuits (cases seeking money damages), not criminal charges against officers. It would make it simpler for plaintiffs to proceed with cases by removing the "clearly established law" requirement that currently blocks many lawsuits early in the legal process. **Current Status** The bill remains in committee as of this summary, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. This type of legislation has been debated since 2020, with supporters arguing it increases accountability for misconduct and opponents concerned it could discourage effective government service or expose officials to excessive litigation.