S. 3824

State Authority to Protect Civil Rights

Shown here: Introduced in Senate (2026-02-10)

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for certain actions by State attorneys general.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “State Authority to Protect Civil Rights”.

2. Actions by State attorneys general

(a) Conspiracy against rights

Section 241 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking “If two or more persons conspire” and inserting the following:

(a) Prohibited activities and penalties
If two or more persons conspire

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Actions by State attorneys generals
(1) In general
If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons has suffered bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death resulting from conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.
(2) Relief
In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

(b) Deprivation of rights under color of law

Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking “Whoever” and inserting the following:

(a) Prohibited activities and penalties
Whoever

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Actions by State attorneys general
(1) In general
If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is being, has been, or may be injured by conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.
(2) Relief
In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

2. Actions by State attorneys general

(a) Conspiracy against rights

Section 241 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking “If two or more persons conspire” and inserting the following:

(a) Prohibited activities and penalties

If two or more persons conspire

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Actions by State attorneys generals

(1) In general

If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons has suffered bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death resulting from conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.

(2) Relief

In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

(b) Deprivation of rights under color of law

Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking “Whoever” and inserting the following:

(a) Prohibited activities and penalties

Whoever

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Actions by State attorneys general

(1) In general

If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is being, has been, or may be injured by conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court.