H.R. 3603 — Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025

This section establishes a new criminal offense (18 U.S.C. §251) making it unlawful for covered federal officials (i.e., federal law enforcement officers, Bureau of Prisons employees, and U.S. Marshals Service employees) to negligently fail to obtain or provide immediate medical attention—including for breathing difficulties—to individuals in federal custody displaying medical distress, if the failure results in unnecessary pain, injury, or death; violations are punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. It authorizes state attorneys general (or designees) to bring civil actions in federal court for equitable and declaratory relief. It requires the appropriate Inspector General to investigate such incidents, refer cases of negligence to the Attorney General for prosecution, and establish a confidential complaint process; and directs agency heads to train covered officials on providing medical assistance.