Bend Toward Justice Act of 2020

I 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 7134 To amend title 18, United States Code, to lower the mens rea standard to reckless for the offense related to depriving persons of their rights under the color of law, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 8, 2020 Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. NORTON, Ms. LEE of Cali- fornia, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mrs. WATSON COLE- MAN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. HASTINGS, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. COHEN, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. BROWN of Maryland, Miss RICE of New York, Mr. COOPER, Ms. MENG, Mr. WELCH, and Mrs. TRAHAN) intro- duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Ju- diciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to lower the mens rea standard to reckless for the offense related to depriv- ing persons of their rights under the color of law, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bend Toward Justice 4 Act of 2020’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Jun 29, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7134.IH H7134 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 7134 IH SEC. 2. DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER COLOR OF LAW 1 MENS REA STANDARD. 2 Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is 3 amended by striking ‘‘willfully’’ and inserting ‘‘recklessly’’. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:08 Jun 29, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H7134.IH H7134 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS