Booker, Paul Reintroduce Justice for Breonna Taylor Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act. The legislation would prohibit no-knock warrants, which allow law enforcement officials to forcibly enter a home without announcing their authority or purpose. Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It's been more than five years since Breonna Taylor's horrific death, and Congress has still failed to pass a public safety bill prohibiting no-knock entries at the federal level," said Senator Booker. "The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would ensure no one has to experience the terror of police barging into their home unannounced. Many cities and states, including Louisville, Kentucky, where Breonna was fatally shot, have already banned no-knock warrants. It's past time we take federal action to ensure a tragedy like Breonna's death never happens again."

"Kentucky recognized that no-knock warrants pose serious and unnecessary risks to both the public and law enforcement, and wisely restricted their use. The federal government should follow Kentucky's lead and ensure this high-risk tactic is constrained," said Senator Paul.

The bill is named in memory and honor of Breonna Taylor, a Louisville resident and EMT who was killed during a police raid on her home in March 2020, which was conducted under the authority of a no-knock warrant.

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act would require federal law enforcement officers to provide notice of their authority and purpose before they could execute a warrant, and it would require the same of any state or local law enforcement agency that receives funds from the Department of Justice.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.