S 1480
116th Congress
Senate
Crime and Law Enforcement
Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Firearms and explosives
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Judges
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Legal fees and court costs
Violent crime
Worker safety and health
Back the Blue Act of 2019
Everywhere this bill has been
2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2888-2889)
May 15, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Plain-English summary
Back the Blue Act of 2019
This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer.
Additionally, the bill
- expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder;
- broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms;
- limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge; and
- limits the recovery of compensatory damages and prohibits the recovery of attorney's fees by an individual for a violation of rights that occurred as a result of (or in the course of) conduct that constitutes a felony or crime of violence.
Finally, it directs the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations to promote trust and improve relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
What's happening now
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2888-2889)
Committees of jurisdiction
1