H.R. 5361: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025
Sponsor
Glenn Ivey
Democrat · MD-4
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Sep 15, 2025
Referred to the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Police misconduct would face tougher consequences
Why it matters
More than $1.1 billion in specified funding and grant conditions would be used to reshape policing—while a national misconduct registry would have to be built within 180 days. If H.R. 5361 became law, departments would face new rules on force, cameras, data reporting, hiring, and federal funding.
H.R. 5361 is a sweeping policing overhaul. It would make federal misconduct cases easier to bring by changing the standard from officers acting "willfully" to acting "knowingly or recklessly," and it would say a death counts when an officer's act was a substantial factor in causing it.
The bill also targets day-to-day transparency. It would require a National Police Misconduct Registry within 180 days, require agencies to report stops, frisks, and deadly force incidents, and require those records to be kept for at least 4 years. Federal officers would have to wear body cameras, and footage tied to force or complaints would have to be kept for 3 years.
It also changes what departments can do if they want federal support. Byrne grant recipients would have to direct at least 5% of funds to accreditation, another 5% to management, training, and oversight standards, and at least 10% to systems aimed at eliminating racial profiling.
The bill goes beyond paperwork. It would ban no-knock warrants in federal drug cases, create a federal crime for sexual acts by someone acting under color of law with a person in custody, and make consent unavailable as a defense in those cases. It would also restrict certain military-style equipment transfers to police departments.
On funding, the bill authorizes at least $1.1 billion in specified amounts, including $750 million for independent investigations and $300 million over three years for state pattern-and-practice investigation grants. Congress is using money here as leverage: adopt the standards, keep access to grants.
H.R. 5361 Bill Summary
What H.R. 5361 actually does.
Federal misconduct cases get a lower legal hurdle
H.R. 5361 would change the federal standard for prosecuting police misconduct from acting "willfully" to acting "knowingly or recklessly." It also says a death is covered when the officer's act was a substantial factor contributing to it.
A national police misconduct registry goes live fast
The Attorney General would have 180 days after enactment to create a National Police Misconduct Registry. Agencies would also have to report stops, frisks, and deadly force incidents and keep those records for at least 4 years.
Federal officers would have to wear body cameras
Federal law enforcement officers would be required to use body cameras, and patrol vehicles would need in-car video systems. Footage would generally be kept for 6 months, or 3 years when it involves force or a complaint.
No-knock drug warrants would be banned federally
The bill would prohibit no-knock warrants in federal drug cases. That would change how federal agents can enter homes in narcotics investigations.
Sex with someone in custody becomes a federal crime
Someone acting under color of law who engages in a sexual act with a person in custody could face a fine, up to 15 years in prison, or both. The bill says consent cannot be used as a defense.
Federal grants would be tied to police reforms
Departments and states seeking Byrne grant money would have to devote at least 5% to accreditation, another 5% to management, training, and oversight standards, and at least 10% to anti-profiling systems. States would also need officer certification and decertification systems to stay eligible.
Who benefits from H.R. 5361?
People stopped, searched, or subjected to force
If your stop turns into a complaint or lawsuit, more of the evidence could exist. H.R. 5361 would require reporting on stops, frisks, and deadly force, with records kept for at least 4 years.
Families seeking answers after deaths in custody or force incidents
The bill would lower the federal misconduct standard and broaden when a death is considered part of the offense. That could change which cases federal prosecutors are willing to bring.
People in police custody
The bill creates a specific federal crime for sexual acts by someone acting under color of law with a person in custody, with penalties of up to 15 years. It also bars consent as a defense.
State attorneys general and outside investigators
They would have access to major new funding streams, including $300 million over three years for state pattern-and-practice investigations and $750 million for independent investigation grants.
Who is affected by H.R. 5361?
Police departments that rely on federal grant money
They would have to meet new spending and policy conditions to keep Byrne and COPS funding. That means changing accreditation, training, oversight, hiring, and anti-profiling systems.
Federal law enforcement officers
They would face mandatory body-camera and in-car video rules, retention requirements, and tighter federal misconduct standards if accused of violating someone's rights.
States and local governments
They would need officer certification and decertification systems to stay eligible for some federal grants. They would also need laws covering sexual acts by officers with people in custody.
Departments seeking military-style equipment transfers
The bill would block transfers of certain items, including grenades, grenade launchers, silencers, drones, and long-range acoustic devices.
Cost & Funding
Authorization
At least $1,113,800,000 in specified funding, plus $5,000,000 a year for a DOJ oversight task force.
- $750,000,000 is authorized for independent investigation grants. That is the single largest bucket in the bill.
- $100,000,000 a year for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 is authorized for state pattern-and-practice investigation grants—$300,000,000 total over three years.
- Other specified amounts include $25,000,000 for community-based organization grants, $25,000,000 for federal enforcement, $3,300,000 for the Community Relations Service, and $5,500,000 for data collection grants and evaluation.
- The bill also authorizes $5,000,000 annually for a DOJ Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight, so the total cost rises further if that funding is appropriated over multiple years.
HR5361 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Sep 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Glenn Ivey
Democrat, Maryland's 4th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Ethics, Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (133)
All 133 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 35 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 32 more.
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
17 of 54 committee members cosponsored
Armed Services Committee
13 of 57 committee members cosponsored
Judiciary Committee
15 of 42 committee members cosponsored
24 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5361 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Sep 15, 2025
Referred to the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Sep 15, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill status, text, actions, and cosponsor information for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025.
The bill conditions Byrne grant funding on new accreditation, oversight, and anti-profiling requirements, so the official JAG program page is directly relevant.
H.R. 5361 ties some reform incentives to COPS grant funding, making the DOJ COPS program website an authoritative source for that grant structure.
The bill requires more reporting and recordkeeping by law enforcement agencies, and LEMAS is a core DOJ data collection resource on agency practices.
The bill text includes a GAO study on body cameras and related policing practices, so GAO’s policing topic page is a relevant official source.
One of the bill’s central changes is amending 18 U.S.C. 242 by replacing the 'willfully' standard with 'knowingly or recklessly.'
The bill expands pattern-or-practice and oversight tools that are administered through DOJ civil-rights enforcement structures.
The bill would restrict certain military-style equipment transfers to police, and the Defense Logistics Agency’s 1033 program page is the official source for that transfer program.
H.R. 5361 Common Questions
Did H.R. 5361 pass?
No. H.R. 5361 has been introduced and referred to committee, but it has not passed the House or Senate.
Would H.R. 5361 end qualified immunity for police?
Yes. The bill would remove qualified immunity as a defense for local law enforcement officers and federal investigative or law enforcement officers.
Would this bill make police misconduct easier to prosecute federally?
Yes. H.R. 5361 would change the standard from acting "willfully" to acting "knowingly or recklessly," which could make more federal misconduct cases possible.
Does H.R. 5361 ban no-knock warrants?
Yes, in federal drug cases. It would not create a blanket nationwide ban for every state and local warrant.
What would the National Police Misconduct Registry do?
It would create a national database of police misconduct records. The Attorney General would have 180 days after enactment to set it up.
Would police have to keep stop-and-force records longer?
Yes. Agencies would have to keep records on traffic stops, pedestrian stops, frisks, and deadly force incidents for at least 4 years.
What happens if an officer has sex with someone in custody under H.R. 5361?
It would be a federal crime punishable by a fine, up to 15 years in prison, or both. The bill also says consent is not a defense.
How much money does H.R. 5361 authorize?
At least $1.1 billion in specified funding. That includes $750 million for independent investigations and $300 million over three years for state pattern-and-practice probes.
Based on H.R. 5361 bill text
H.R. 5361 Bill Text
“To hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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