Stanton, House Pass Transformative George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

Press Release

In the wake of George Floyd's murder, thousands of Arizonans and millions across the country called for swift action and real, meaningful change. Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bold, comprehensive approach to improve accountability and transparency in policing, combat police brutality, end racial profiling and fundamentally change the culture of law enforcement. Rep. Greg Stanton, an original co-sponsor of the bill, spoke on the House floor ahead of the vote about the need for tangible reforms to combat structural racism.

"Today we vote on long overdue legislation--to bring greater accountability and transparency into policing to help make everyone more safe," said Stanton. "The ability to end racism in our country is beyond the reach of Congress. We don't have the power to change every heart and mind. But we do have the power to change the law. To make it more just. To combat structural racism through measurable, meaningful reforms. Change starts here, today."

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act includes measures to reform and improve police training and practices including mandatory racial bias training, body camera requirements for federal, state and local officers, limitations on the transfer of military-grade equipment to state and local agencies, and a national use-of-force standard. It would also ban certain practices including "no-knock" warrants in drug cases, and chokeholds and carotid holds.

The bill would hold officers accountable for reckless misconduct in federal courts, including reforming qualified immunity, as well as improve transparency in policing by collecting better and more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force from state and local agencies.

Source