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HR 2972 102th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Criminal justice information Federal aid to law enforcement agencies Fines (Penalties) Law enforcement officers Legal fees Police-community relations

Police Accountability Act of 1991

Introduced: July 23, 1991 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 31, 1991
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 31, 1991
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Jul 31, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jul 23, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jul 23, 1991
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Police Accountability Act of 1991 - Makes it unlawful for any governmental authority to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives persons of their constitutional or statutory rights, privileges, or immunities.

Authorizes: (1) civil actions by the Attorney General and by any injured person to obtain equitable and declaratory relief to eliminate any such pattern or practice; and (2) the court to allow the prevailing plaintiff (in the case of an action by an injured person) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation fees and costs, including expert's fees. Specifies that a governmental body shall be liable for such fees and costs to the same extent as a private individual.

Establishes penalties for police brutality (excessive force), including a fine and imprisonment for any term of years or life if death results, for not more than ten years if bodily injury other than death results, and for not to exceed one year in any other case.

Directs the Attorney General to acquire and publish an annual summary of data about complaints to criminal justice authorities about the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers.

Requires State applications for justice system improvement grants (under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968) to include a certification that the State and its units of local government are providing such data to the Attorney General.

What's happening now July 31, 1991

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2972: Police Accountability Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-2972/
MLA
"H.R. 2972: Police Accountability Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-2972/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2972, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-2972/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2972: Police Accountability Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-2972/)
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