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Payne Cosponsors Legislation to End Racial Profiling

April 23, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) cosponsored H.R.1933, the End Racial Profiling Act of 2015, legislation to end racial profiling and other discriminatory policing tactics by law enforcement.

“Racial profiling remains an ongoing crisis in our nation. It denies individuals their constitutional right of equal treatment and undermines the trust of minority communities in law enforcement and our justice system,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “There is a clear and growing need to ensure a robust and comprehensive federal commitment to end racial profiling by law enforcement agencies, and this legislation aims to do just that.”

“This issue is very important to me and to the constituents of New Jersey’s 10th District,” added Congressman Payne, Jr. “The practice of racial profiling by law enforcement was criminalized in our state by legislation my uncle William Payne sponsored as a member of the General Assembly. It is my hope that Congress will advance the End Racial Profiling Act and help bring us closer toward achieving full equality under the law.”

The End Racial Profiling Act of 2015 aims to enhance the federal commitment to enforcing the constitutional right of equal protection under the law by improving police practices and procedures.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD).

The End Racial Profiling Act of 2015:

  • Provides a prohibition on racial profiling, enforceable by declaratory or injunctive relief.
  • Mandates training on racial profiling issues for federal law enforcement agencies and data collection on all routine or spontaneous investigatory activities through a standardized Department of Justice (DOJ) procedure.
  • Authorizes the DOJ to provide grants for the development and implementation of best policing practices.
  • Requires the U.S. Attorney General to provide periodic reports to assess the nature of any ongoing discriminatory profiling practices.