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Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025
To specify the state of mind required for conviction for criminal offenses that lack an expressly identified state of mind, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- Committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Actions
- Jun 10, 2025 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.
- Jun 10, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jan 3, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Jan 3, 2025 Introduced in House
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