Across America, law enforcement officers make split-second decisions every day—often in uncertain and dangerous situations. Yet increasingly, officers face the threat of costly lawsuits simply for doing their jobs. The Qualified Immunity Act (H.R. 503 / S.122) is designed to address that problem and ensure officers can continue protecting the public without fear of politically motivated litigation. Police Officers’ Defense Coalition strongly supports this legislation because it strengthens a critical legal safeguard that has protected public servants for decades.

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects government officials—including police officers—from personal liability in civil lawsuits unless they violate “clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.”

In practical terms, this means officers acting in good faith while performing their duties are protected from being personally sued for damages when the law surrounding a situation is unclear or evolving.

Importantly, qualified immunity does not protect officers who knowingly violate the law. Instead, it protects officers who make reasonable decisions in complex situations where legal standards may not be obvious in the moment.

Currently, qualified immunity exists primarily through court precedent established by the U.S. Supreme Court. By writing it into federal law, Congress would provide clear statutory authority and legal certainty for courts and law enforcement officers.

Key elements of the legislation include:

• Codifying qualified immunity protections for law enforcement officers in civil rights lawsuits
• Clarifying the legal standards used by courts when evaluating claims against officers
• Ensuring officers are not held personally liable when they act reasonably and within the scope of their duties
• Maintaining accountability for officials who knowingly violate clearly established rights

The House version of the bill (H.R. 503) was introduced on January 16, 2025 by Representative Virginia Foxx (R–NC) and Representative Derrick Van Orden (R–WI). There are 24 co-sponsors and counting on the House bill: 

• Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-3)
• Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24)
• Rep. Daniel Meuser (R-PA-9)
• Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24)
• Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2)
• Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN-1)
• Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD-1)
• Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17)
• Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-2)
• Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11)
• Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-8)
• Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-3)
• Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA-3)
• Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22)
• Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-6)
• Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-2)
• Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA-2)
• Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23)
• Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ-9)
• Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS-4)
• Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL-12)
• Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-41)
• Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23)
• Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA-16)

The companion bill in the Senate (S.122), was introduced by Senator Jim Banks (R–IN). Senate co-sponsors include several lawmakers who have been strong advocates for law enforcement, including:

• Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
• Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC)
• Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
• Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
• Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
• Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
• Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
• Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID)
• Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
• Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT)

The legislation has been referred to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for consideration.

Law enforcement officers operate in unpredictable environments where they must make rapid decisions that affect public safety. Without qualified immunity protections, officers could face endless civil litigation over routine enforcement decisions, even when they acted responsibly and within the law.

The doctrine was originally developed by the courts to ensure that public officials are not deterred from performing their duties because of fear of financial liability. For police officers, this protection is especially important. Every call, from traffic stops to violent crimes, presents unique circumstances that cannot always be compared to previous court rulings. The Qualified Immunity Act ensures officers are judged by a reasonable standard, rather than being unfairly exposed to personal lawsuits for difficult decisions made under pressure.

Our law enforcement deserves the tools, resources, and legal protections necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively. By codifying this longstanding legal doctrine, the legislation ensures that officers can continue to protect communities without fear that a politically motivated lawsuit could destroy their careers or financial security.

The Qualified Immunity Act (H.R. 503 / S.122) is a critical step toward restoring balance—protecting officers acting in good faith while preserving accountability for misconduct. The Qualified Immunity Act represents a clear statement from Congress that America stands behind its law enforcement professionals.

The Police Officers’ Defense Coalition will continue working on Capitol Hill to support legislation that protects law enforcement officers, strengthens public safety, and ensures those who wear the badge know that America stands with them. We encourage all citizens who support law enforcement to contact their Congress members by phone or email and strongly urge them to enact this crucial legislation.

The Police Officers’ Defense Coalition was formed to advocate for police officers, public safety officers, sheriffs, and those representing the law enforcement community to fight against the “War on Cops.” For more information, visit https://policeofficersdefensecoalition.com/