# Plain Language Summary: Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2024

This bill makes it a federal crime for federal law enforcement officers, prison guards, and U.S. Marshals to negligently ignore someone in their custody who is showing signs of medical distress—like difficulty breathing or other obvious health emergencies. If an officer witnesses someone in medical distress and fails to get them immediate medical help, and that person gets hurt or dies as a result, the officer can be prosecuted, fined, and imprisoned for up to one year. The bill specifically defines "medical distress" to include breathing difficulties, which appears to be a direct response to cases where people died in custody after officers failed to respond to signs they couldn't breathe.

The bill also creates accountability mechanisms to make sure violations are actually investigated. Federal agencies that employ these officials must establish a confidential complaint process so people can report incidents without fear of retaliation. When an Inspector General (an internal watchdog) investigates and finds that an officer negligently failed to provide medical attention, they're required to refer the case to the Attorney General for prosecution. Additionally, state attorneys general can file civil lawsuits on behalf of residents harmed by these violations, giving states another avenue to seek justice and compensation.

Finally, the bill requires all federal law enforcement agencies to train their officers on how to properly respond to medical emergencies. This is meant to prevent situations where officers simply don't know what to do or fail to act when someone needs help. The bill essentially says that ignoring someone's obvious medical emergency while they're in federal custody is no longer acceptable and will have serious legal consequences.