NY S03280

Creates the "Restoring Accountability and Civil Equity Act" (RACE Act) establishing civil liability for any person acting under color of law who deprives others of rights protected by federal or state constitution or laws

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

Allows punitive damages when proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's conduct was motivated by the victim's race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, or disability

Requires public entities to indemnify employees for judgments or settlements under this law, with funds coming from the employing agency's budget rather than the general fund, unless the employee was criminally convicted for the conduct

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of injured parties and awards attorney's fees and costs to prevailing plaintiffs, including those whose litigation served as a catalyst for changing defendant's conduct