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S. 3985: A bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency.

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S. 3985: A bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency.

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-17 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7995)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-17 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 126 (2020): On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed, S3985 (2020-06-24), Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7995) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency.

Plain summary

Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A bill to improve and reform policing practices, accountability, and transparency.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] · 48 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Thune (R-SD), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Todd Young (R-IN), John Boozman (R-AR), James E. Risch (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Kennedy (R-LA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] reported raising $6.7 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-s3985 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116