H.R. 59 · 119th Congress
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025
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BiggsSponsor
This bill establishes a default mens rea standard (i.e., state of mind requirement) for federal criminal offenses—statutory and regulatory—that lack an explicit standard.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2025
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025
This bill establishes a default mens rea standard (i.e., state of mind requirement) for federal criminal offenses—statutory and regulatory—that lack an explicit standard.
The government must generally prove that a defendant acted knowingly with respect to each element of an offense for which the text does not specify a state of mind.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025
Latest action (Jun 10, 2025): Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement · Origin: House · Introduced: Jan 3, 2025
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.