George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025

Increased Accountability in Courts: The bill reforms qualified immunity, ensuring it is no longer a defense if an officer's conduct was not lawful or if rights were not clearly established (Section 102). It also changes the standard for deprivation of rights under color of law from "willfully" to "knowingly or recklessly" (Section 101).

Increased Accountability for Officers: The bill requires disciplinary action if officers fail to follow recording or retention rules, or if they manipulate footage (Section (s)(1)(A)).

Improved Transparency through Data: The establishment of a National Police Misconduct Registry allows the public to search for an individual officer's records regarding use of force or racial profiling (Section 201). Furthermore, the PRIDE Act requires states and tribes to report use-of-force incidents, including deaths in custody, to the Attorney General (Section 223).

Enhanced Transparency and Public Access: Agencies must make their body camera policies and protocols available on their websites (Section (v)). Data from cameras used during investigations involving use of force or criminal investigations must also be made available to the public (Section (t)(3)).

Protection against Racial Profiling: The bill explicitly prohibits racial profiling and allows individuals injured by such practices to bring civil actions for relief (Section 311, Section 312).

Enhanced Safety through Policy Reform: The act includes a ban on no-knock warrants in drug cases (Section 362) and incentivizes the banning of chokeholds and carotid holds (Section 363). It also establishes a duty for federal officers to intervene when they witness excessive force (Section 361).

Increased Oversight via Body Cameras: Federal law enforcement officers would be required to wear body cameras that capture video and audio during stops, providing a record of interactions (Section 372). The bill also grants certain individuals, such as the subject of the footage or a legal guardian of a minor, the right to inspect the footage (Section 372).

Protections Against Misconduct: The bill prohibits the use of facial recognition technology on camera footage (Section 374). It also provides for the use of funds to help deter excessive force and improve the transparency of force used by officers (Section 3051(a)(1)(B)).

Criminalization of Sexual Misconduct: The law makes it a crime for anyone acting under color of law to engage in a sexual act with an individual in their custody, specifically stating that consent is not a legal defense (Section 402(c)(1) and (3)).

Standardized Data Collection: Grant recipients must collect statistical data on use of force—disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and age—and the number of complaints filed against officers (Section 3051(d)(1)(F)).

Increased Burden on Law Enforcement Procedures: Federal law enforcement officers are subject to strict requirements regarding the activation and deactivation of body cameras, which includes specific protocols for when an officer must ask an occupant if they wish to discontinue recording (Section 372).

Restrictions on Evidence Review: Federal law enforcement officers are prohibited from reviewing certain body camera footage until they have completed their initial reports, statements, and interviews, unless there is an immediate threat to life or safety (Section (p)).

Limitations on Video Use: Video footage that is not subject to a 3-year retention period cannot be viewed by a superior officer without a specific allegation of misconduct (Section (q)(1)).

Criminal Risks for Officers: Officers face disciplinary action or potential criminal legal consequences if they fail to adhere to recording and retention requirements or manipulate footage (Section (s)(1)).

Restrictions on Military-Grade Equipment Transfers: The bill limits the types of equipment that can be transferred to local law enforcement agencies, specifically prohibiting the transfer of firearms, ammunition, grenades, and drones (Section 365).

Financial Consequences for Non-Compliant Jurisdictions: States or local governments may lose access to federal grant money if they fail to comply with certain requirements, such as those related to racial profiling policies or the reporting of use-of-force data (Section 332, Section 223).

Financial Penalties for Local Governments: States or local government units that do not pass laws criminalizing sexual acts by persons acting under color of law (where consent is not a defense) may become ineligible to receive COPS grant funds (Section 403(a)).