HR-7786 : Still Just a Bill

Restitution for Economic losses Caused by Leaders who Allow Insurrection and Mayhem Act or the RECLAIM Act

This bill provides for civil liability in certain instances against an official who recognizes a law enforcement-free zone and contains other related provisions.

The bill defines such a zone as an area that law enforcement is entitled to access but is instructed to not access or only access in exceptional circumstances, but generally does not include instances where law enforcement temporarily withholds from an area in response to an imminent threat.

An official shall be liable to a person who suffers certain physical harm or property damage from a third party's criminal act if, among other requirements, the official directed law enforcement to recognize a law enforcement-free zone and the criminal act and harm was foreseeable and occurred within the zone. An official who prohibits law enforcement from taking a law enforcement action that would prevent or mitigate physical harm or property damage related to a riot shall also be liable to a person who suffered harm or property damage caused during the riot, in certain instances.

The bill also provides for triple damages in certain instances for an individual who prevails in a civil rights lawsuit against an official who recognized a law enforcement-free zone or prohibited a law enforcement action related to a riot.

States and local government entities that receive certain law enforcement grants or disaster relief may not take certain actions such as (1) prohibiting law enforcement actions that would mitigate injuries to individuals or property from a riot, or (2) recognizing a law enforcement-free zone.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2020-07-24IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.House floor actions
2020-07-24IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.House floor actions
2020-07-24IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Crime and Law Enforcement
See Subjects
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Crime prevention
  • Crime victims
  • Crimes against property
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Disaster relief and insurance
  • Government liability
  • Law enforcement administration and funding
  • Law enforcement officers
  • Protest and dissent
  • State and local government operations

Related Bills

See Related Bills