The doctrine of qualified immunity protects state and local officials from individual liability unless the official violated a clearly established constitutional right. Some of the police reform bills Congress is considering eliminate qualified immunity for state and local police and correctional officers.
What does it mean for a state or local official to have qualified immunity and what would the impact be if it was eliminated?
The evolution of qualified immunity began in 1871 when Congress adopted 42 U.S.C. § 1983...