HR 59

Summary

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.  

Bill status

Status

Reported

Sponsor

Rep. Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]

Cosponsors

2

Policy area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Introduced

2025-01-03

Latest action

2025-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.

Committee referrals

• Judiciary Committee: House · Markup By · 2025-06-10
• Judiciary Committee: House · Referred To · 2025-01-03

Recent actions

• 2025-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.
• 2025-06-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-03: Introduced in House