Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “State Authority to Protect Civil Rights”.
State Authority to Protect Civil Rights
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for certain actions by State attorneys general.
Sec. 2 Actions by State attorneys general
by striking “If two or more persons conspire” and inserting the following:
“(a) Prohibited activities and penalties—If two or more persons conspire”
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.”
by striking “Whoever” and inserting the following:
“(a) Prohibited activities and penalties—Whoever”
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.”