# What This Bill Does

This bill creates a new federal crime targeting federal law enforcement officers, prison staff, and U.S. Marshals Service employees who negligently fail to get medical help for someone in their custody who is showing signs of medical distress. If someone in custody shows they're having trouble breathing or other medical emergencies and the officer or staff member doesn't get them immediate medical attention, and that person gets hurt or dies as a result, the official can now be prosecuted, fined, and imprisoned for up to one year.

The bill is named after Andrew Kearse, suggesting it was inspired by a real case where someone in federal custody may have been denied necessary medical care. The law applies specifically to federal custody situations—so federal prisons, federal law enforcement arrests, and situations involving U.S. Marshals. It doesn't cover state or local police and jails, only federal agencies.

# How It Works in Practice

The bill sets up an investigation process where federal Inspectors General (oversight officials within each agency) must investigate when someone in custody shows medical distress and gets hurt or dies because medical care wasn't provided. If they find the official was negligent, they refer the case to the Attorney General for prosecution. The bill also requires these agencies to set up a confidential complaint system so people can report these incidents without fear of retaliation, and it mandates that all covered officials receive training on how to respond to medical emergencies.

Additionally, state attorneys general can file civil lawsuits in federal court if they believe one of their residents was harmed by a federal official's failure to provide medical care. This gives states another avenue to seek justice and compensation for victims beyond just criminal prosecution.