SB 486 Kansas Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Creating a civil cause of action for violations of the constitution or laws of the United States by any person acting under the color of law.

SB 486 creates a new legal right for individuals harmed by government officials (like police or jailers) who violate their constitutional or federal rights. It allows victims to sue for damages if they were threatened, harmed physically, had property damaged, or suffered emotional distress due to the official's actions. The law explicitly blocks common defenses like "I thought it was legal" or "I didn’t know the law," and permits punitive damages if the violation was motivated by bias against race, gender, religion, or other protected traits. The Kansas Attorney General can also sue on behalf of victims to seek compensation and legal remedies.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cindy Holscher
Cindy Holscher
DDemocratic
KS
8