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119-hr-3652119th CongressWALLET

National Police Misuse of Force Investigation Board Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create an independent national board to investigate police misuse of force. It would centralize investigations of deaths in custody, officer-involved shootings, and serious injuries while building dedicated family support and using federal levers to press state and local change.

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  • Families would get a designated director of family support and a nonprofit partner to provide counseling, travel help, private grieving space, and ongoing contact until extra help is no longer needed. Families must be briefed on findings before public briefings and may attend hearings.
  • States and local governments would face new compliance rules to keep certain federal Byrne-style grant money. Findings or recommendations must be made admissible in court for jurisdictions to receive grants and persistent noncompliance can cut 1% to 10% of those funds.
  • The Board would be an 8-member presidentially appointed body with subpoena power, autopsy and inspection authority, and the ability to convene special boards of inquiry. The Justice Department Civil Rights Division could open pattern-or-practice probes and enforce adoption of recommendations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

DOJ could act on Board findings

If enacted, the Justice Department Civil Rights Division could use lack of progress on Board recommendations as evidence in pattern-or-practice probes. The Division could open investigations and take enforcement action when warranted.

National board to probe police force

If enacted, this bill would create a national board to investigate police use-of-force cases. The board would have 8 members serving 6-year terms, with at least 4 technical experts and no more than 4 from one party. It would set up offices to review deaths in custody, officer shootings, and severe injuries, and issue reports with key facts and demographics. The Justice Department Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office would audit the board’s finances and work at least yearly.

Tighter access to videos and reports

If enacted, parties in court would generally not be able to get police body-worn or vehicle camera videos through discovery. A judge could allow access only if needed for a fair trial and must issue strict protective orders; any admitted video would be under seal. The Board could still refer to recordings when making safety recommendations. The bill would also bar use of Board reports as evidence in civil lawsuits for damages.

States risk Byrne funds for noncompliance

If enacted, starting the first full fiscal year after enactment, States and localities getting Byrne grants would need to allow Board findings to be used in court and report on reforms. The Attorney General could give a 60-day extension for good-faith efforts. If a State or locality fails to comply, the Attorney General could cut its Byrne funding by 1% to 10% for that year. Withheld funds would be reallocated to compliant States.

Family counseling after police incidents

If enacted, when a death or serious injury happens after a police encounter, the board would name a family support director. The board would pick a nonprofit to give counseling, meet families, protect privacy, and stay in touch. Counseling could last 30 days, with one 30-day extension if approved and noticed to local authorities. Families would be briefed before public updates and could attend public hearings. States and others would be barred from blocking these services.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

MN • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

    MS • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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