Relates to providing a civil action for deprivation of rights
S 176 creates a new civil legal remedy allowing individuals to sue when their constitutional or legal rights are violated by government officials or public entities acting under government authority. It directly affects anyone whose rights are deprived by such actors, including victims of police misconduct, discriminatory policies, or other state-sponsored violations. Key provisions include allowing lawsuits for damages and attorney fees (even if the case settles without a court judgment), removing common defenses like "good faith" or "unclear law," and requiring public entities to cover their employees' legal costs. The law sets a three-year deadline for filing claims and applies to both state and federal rights violations.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Last action Jan 7, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
3
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
REFERENCE CHANGED TO CODES
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
upper
1 primary · 21 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Robert Jackson
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Brian Kavanagh
DDemocratic
Co
Cordell Cleare
DDemocratic
Co
Gustavo Rivera
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Jabari Brisport
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Jamaal Bailey
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
James Sanders
DDemocratic
Co
Jeremy Cooney
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Jessica Ramos
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
John Liu
DDemocratic
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