Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 aims to ensure individuals in federal custody receive help when they are in medical distress. It makes it unlawful for covered officials, such as federal law enforcement or prison employees, to negligently fail to provide or obtain immediate medical attention. This rule applies if the failure results in unnecessary pain, injury, or death. The bill establishes penalties including fines and potential imprisonment for these officials. It also mandates investigations by an Inspector General and allows for state civil enforcement. Finally, it requires agency heads to provide training on obtaining or providing medical assistance.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill introduces criminal penalties and oversight for federal law enforcement failures in medical care.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill establishes oversight through Inspector General investigations and a complaint process.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill ensures individuals in federal custody receive immediate medical attention during distress.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for individuals in medical distress: The bill creates a legal requirement for covered officials to obtain or provide immediate medical attention when an individual displays medical distress, such as breathing difficulties (Sec. 2, Section 251(a)(3)).
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Accountability through criminal penalties: Officials who negligently fail to provide care that results in unnecessary pain, injury, or death can face fines and up to one year in prison (Sec. 2, Section 251(b)(1)-(2)).
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Investigation and oversight: The bill mandates that an appropriate Inspector General investigate instances where medical distress leads to unnecessary pain, injury, or death (Sec. 2, Section 251(c)(1)).
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Mechanism for reporting: An Inspector General must establish a process for individuals to confidentially submit complaints regarding these incidents (Sec. 2, Section 251(c)(3)).
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Legal recourse for residents: State attorneys general or their designated entities may bring civil actions in federal court to obtain relief if a resident is aggrieved by a violation (Sec. 2, Section 251(b)(3)).
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Improved official preparedness: Agency heads are required to provide training to covered officials on how to obtain or provide medical assistance (Sec. 2, Section 251(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential criminal liability for officials: Covered officials, including federal law enforcement and Bureau of Prisons employees, face the risk of fines and imprisonment if they are found to have acted negligently during a medical crisis (Sec. 2, Section 251(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes oversight through Inspector General investigations and a complaint process. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill empowers State Attorneys General to bring civil actions regarding federal official misconduct. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal criminal liability and oversight for agency officials.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill introduces criminal penalties and oversight for federal law enforcement failures in medical care.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill ensures individuals in federal custody receive immediate medical attention during distress.
- 6/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
6 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan