State: Federal

Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, and for other purposes.

Allocates and warrants funding for different agencies with relation to national security/defense, also delineates how and where funding may be used.

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that COPS grant funds may be used for local law enforcement recruits to attend schools or academies if the recruits agree to serve in precincts of law enforcement agencies in their communities. Allow for the use of COPS grant funds for local law enforcement recruits to receive training from schools or academies if the recruits agree to serve in agencies in their communities (within 5-20 miles of their residence depending on size of town/city) for at least 4 years

“Strong Communities Program”

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to provide grants to States and units of local government for the video recording of custodial interrogations.

Video recording of custodial interrogations advances 3 important “civic values”: truth finding, efficient and fair administration of justice, protection of constitutional guarantees
– Truth finding comes from the fact that recordings would decrease incentive to fabricate evidence, enhance credibility
– Efficiency arises from higher quality investigations due to better evidence
– Streamlines training of police officers and makes it easier for the public to identify misuses of force by law enforcement/police officers,also in inclusion/exclusion of evidence
Cost of investigation and litigation is lowered when crime solving process is more efficient and accurate
Recordings help identify and avoid biases within law enforcement
Improve public confidence in policing

To amend the Revised Statutes to remove the defense of qualified immunity in the case of any action under section 1979, and for other purposes.

Under the KKK Act (which was designed to combat violations of civil rights) of 1871, government actors never received qualified immunity for violating rights. After SCOTUS case Pierson v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547, however, government officials began to apply a good faith defense to government officials who made unconstitutional arrests. This has made it much more difficult for plaintiffs to recover damages when their rights have been violated by state officials. This bill would remove the good faith assumption/qualified immunity for government officials.

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for training on alternatives to use of force, de-escalation, and behavioral health crises.

Provides specific amendments for Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to include measures for de-escalation and alternative uses of force, all with more of behavioral health lens than has been used prior.
– Implement training curricula, certified programs,create/use transitional regional training program for state and local angecy personnel
– Creates Section 508, Law Enforcement Training Program. This outlines authority figures, allocation of funds for training programs, required reports from states and local governments (explains training model, number of officers, barriers to training), and authorization of appropriation

To amend the Revised Statutes to reform the defense of qualified immunity in the case of any action under section 1979, and for other purposes.

Provides specific amendments — with qualifications to clauses and wording changes/additions — for Section 1979 of the Revised Statutes.

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide that certain uses of riot control agents constitute civil rights violations, and for other purposes.

Amend Section 242 of title 18, United States Code by adding “For the purposes of this section, the use of a riot control agent without a prior clear and audible warning is a punishment, pain, or penalty…” Essentially, the use of riot control measures without warning is a punishment, which violates an individual’s right to protest.