H.R. 6533 — Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act

This section amends 10 U.S.C. §272 to require Department of Defense (DOD) support to civilian law enforcement to comply with new §274a and inserts new §274a in chapter 15 of title 10 to limit such support under §§272-274 (which authorize DOD to loan equipment, supplies, facilities, and research assets to federal, state, or local law enforcement officials). Section 274a(a) prohibits the Secretary of Defense from providing such support unless the President first notifies Congress with a written justification that specifies (1) the recipient agency; (2) budget, timeline with milestones, delivery schedule, and completion date; (3) funding source and planned expenditures; (4) sustainment arrangements and funding, if applicable; (5) objectives and evaluation metrics; and (6) details on prior support to the agency over the preceding three fiscal years. Section 274a(b) further limits any such support to 30 days unless approved by a joint resolution enacted under expedited procedures, including committee discharge after 10 calendar days, waiver of points of order, limits on debate, and a three-fifths Senate vote requirement. (Thus, extended DOD assistance to civilian law enforcement requires affirmative congressional action.)

This section establishes a prohibition against individuals serving in any capacity in the Department of Defense (DoD)—whether in the Armed Forces or a civilian position—simultaneously serving in any civilian law enforcement role outside DoD. Exceptions apply to members of reserve components (as listed in 10 U.S.C. §10101) serving in such law enforcement in their civilian capacity, provided they formally recuse from those duties if called or ordered to active duty.

This section expands the identification display requirement for members of the armed forces (including the National Guard) and federal law enforcement personnel—visibly showing an individual's name or unique identifier and employing organization when providing support to federal authorities—by striking the limitation to responses to civil disturbances. (Thus, the requirement now applies to all such support, subject to exceptions for non-uniform personnel or those in undercover operations.) It also amends the section heading and table of sections at the beginning of 10 U.S.C. chapter 41 to remove references to civil disturbances.

This section establishes a private right of action allowing any person, state, or local government aggrieved by a violation of this Act—or an amendment made by this Act—committed by the federal government, or an officer or employee thereof, to bring a civil action in an appropriate U.S. district court. The court may award injunctive or other equitable relief and damages.