# 119-hr-3603: Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025

119-hr-3603, Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA); status introduced (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3603
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-3603
- Congress: 119
- Title: Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-05-23
- Sponsor: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA)
- Cosponsors: 10
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-16

## Summary

**a federal criminal offense for negligent denial of medical care to people in federal custody.** This bill would add a new section to Chapter 13 of Title 18 that makes it a crime when a covered federal official negligently fails to obtain or provide immediate medical attention to someone in custody who displays medical distress, including breathing difficulties. It would also require agency inspectors general to investigate such incidents, set up a confidential complaint process, mandate training for covered officials, and allow State attorneys general to bring civil suits in federal court for equitable or declaratory relief. - People in federal custody and their families would gain a legal pathway when urgent care is denied. Negligent failures that cause unnecessary pain, injury, or death could lead to prosecution with penalties up to 1 year in prison, a fine, or both. - Federal law enforcement and prison staff defined as "covered officials" would face criminal exposure and new training requirements. Agency inspectors general would be required to investigate failures and refer negligent cases to the Attorney General. - State attorneys general would be able to sue in federal court for equitable or declaratory relief when they have reasonable cause to believe a resident was harmed by a violation.

## Cosponsors (10)

- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] (D-NY), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3] (D-IL), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-05-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Penalties for denying detainee medical care: benefit, low. This bill would make it a federal crime to negligently deny immediate medical help to someone in federal custody who shows medical distress. A conviction would mean a fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both. Covered officials would include federal law enforcement, Bureau of Prisons staff, and U.S. Mars…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act
- 119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act
- 119-hr-1111: Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025
- 119-hr-2045: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-3603 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3603)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3971)
- [119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3069)
- [119-hr-1111: Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1111)
- [119-hr-2045: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2045)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3603 (as of 2026-10-16).