Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025

The Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025 would create a civil liability framework for judicial officers. Under this bill, individuals who are injured by a judge's bond determination or sentencing decision could sue the judge if they can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the judge acted with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence. Potential remedies would include punitive damages intended to punish wrongdoing and deter similar conduct.

The bill would remove judicial immunity protections in these specific cases, meaning judges could not use their normal legal protections to dismiss such lawsuits. However, the legislation includes a safeguard stating it would not apply to judicial decisions made in good faith or within the scope of ordinary judicial discretion. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.