WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Qualified Immunity Act of 2023, legislation to codify clearly established Supreme Court precedent in favor of qualified immunity and the protections it provides for law enforcement agents into statutory law. Qualified immunity, as defined by the Supreme Court, “shields police officers from harassment, distraction and liability when they perform their duty reasonably.”
“Police officers in Utah and across the nation risk their lives every day to keep us safe,” said Rep. Owens. “As I have heard from law enforcement across my district, ending qualified immunity paints a target on the back of every officer in America and makes good men and women flee the profession when we need them the most. House Republicans Back the Blue and will fight to codify qualified immunity for law enforcement heroes.”
The legislation is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police and National Association of Police Organizations.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
###