1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor and support the Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act, introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ayanna Pressley. This critical legislation seeks to address an urgent gap in the accountability of law enforcement by holding officers responsible when they fail to provide medical care to individuals in their custody. The Act is named in honor of Andrew Kearse, who tragically lost his life in police custody in 2017 after his repeated pleas for medical assistance were ignored. Despite his evident medical distress, no action was taken to provide the care he desperately needed. This bill would ensure that officers who act with deliberate indifference to the medical needs of those in their custody are held accountable through federal civil rights law. It is unacceptable that individuals entrusted to the care of law enforcement can suffer preventable harm due to negligence or outright indifference. The Andrew Kearse Act would set an important precedent by requiring law enforcement to meet their legal and moral obligations to those in their custody, strengthening trust in our justice system while protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals. This legislation is a necessary step toward preventing future tragedies and ensuring that no one in police custody is left to suffer without care. I respectfully urge you to co-sponsor and advocate for the passage of the Andrew Kearse Act. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to seeing your leadership on this vital issue.