OPENING THE RECORD
OPENING THE RECORD
H.R. 59 · 119TH CONGRESS
This has not become law. Both chambers must pass the same text before sending it to the president. How a bill becomes law.
CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service for this version of the bill. Later versions may differ. Read at Congress.gov.