119th Congress

H.R. 59

Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025

Introduced
In committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law

Sponsor: Andy Biggs(R-AZ)
Introduced: Jan 3, 2025
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committees: House Committee on the Judiciary
Official text: Introduced in House · Congress.gov page

Cosponsors (2)

Original cosponsors (1)

Andrew Ogles (R-TN)

Added later (1)

Chip Roy (R-TX) · Jan 9, 2025

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version

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.

Roll-call votes

No recorded votes on this bill.

Actions

Jun 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.
Jun 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 3, 2025 · House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House