NY A01402

Creates a civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue any person or public entity acting under color of law that deprives them of rights protected by the federal or state Constitution or laws

Eliminates qualified immunity as a defense, explicitly barring defendants from claiming good faith belief their conduct was lawful or that the rights violated were not clearly established at the time

Requires courts to award attorney fees and costs to prevailing plaintiffs, including those whose lawsuit acted as a "catalyst" for changing defendant's conduct even without a favorable judgment

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of injured parties, with damages awarded to the injured party if successful, without precluding the injured party's own lawsuit

Mandates that public entities indemnify their employees for any liability or judgments arising from claims under this section, with a three-year statute of limitations for filing suit