H.R. 8365: Monitor Accountability Act

A monitor is an independent official appointed to oversee reforms under a civil settlement agreement or consent decree, such as one addressing a pattern of unconstitutional policing. H.R. 8365 would have the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts set conditions on appointing monitors to oversee state and local governments.

Those conditions include public notice and a chance to comment before an appointment, a limit of one monitor appointment at a time per person, a five-year term limit, and a public accounting of the monitor's fees and services. The bill would also cap fees and explicitly allow pro bono services. In 2021 the Department of Justice began putting similar recommendations on term limits, fee caps and public accountability into practice.