Bill 119 HR 503, also known as the "Qualified Immunity Act," aims to amend the Revised Statutes to officially codify the defense of qualified immunity in cases involving section 1979. Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations, as long as their actions did not violate clearly established law.
The bill seeks to provide clarity and consistency in the application of qualified immunity by enshrining it in the law. This would ensure that government officials, including law enforcement officers, are able to perform their duties without fear of facing personal financial liability for their actions.
In addition to codifying qualified immunity, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes, although specific details on these purposes are not provided in the summary. It is likely that these additional provisions are related to further clarifying the scope and application of qualified immunity in various legal contexts.
Overall, Bill 119 HR 503 represents an effort to solidify the legal protections afforded to government officials through the doctrine of qualified immunity, with the goal of promoting effective governance and law enforcement while also upholding constitutional rights.