118th Congress · HOUSE BILLBILL

H.R. 10250Mens Rea Reform Act of 2024

To specify the state of mind required for conviction for criminal offenses that lack an expressly identified state of mind, and for other purposes.

Crime and law enforcement
Introduced Nov 22, 2024
Last action Nov 22, 2024
Pipeline · Bill → Law
Step 1
Introduced
Nov 22, 2024
Step 2
Referred
Nov 22, 2024
Judiciary
Step 3
Committee
Step 4
House floor
Step 5
Senate
Step 6
Resolve Changes
Step 7
Signed
SummaryCRS Summary

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.  

Provisions · 2 sectionsIntroduced in House
Timeline · 2 actions
Nov 22, 2024
Introduced in House
Nov 22, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.