Legislative Advocacy

Romanucci & Blandin is dedicated to doing everything we can to deliver justice for our clients and for the communities they live in and love. Often, in the course of our litigation, we identify a bigger-picture issue that needs to be addressed for the common good. In addition to fighting to secure justice for our clients for the harms or losses they’ve endured, we are also willing to engage in advocacy to change laws, regulations and policies to prevent future harm to others. Working to address systemic issues creates a bigger purpose for our team, and often our clients engage in this advocacy, as well.

_{Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci testifies before members of Congress in 2026.}

We call this Impact Litigation

Whether our support involves testifying at hearings on proposed laws, working with our clients to share their personal stories with lawmakers, or making our support for a bill known in our public comments, R&B is committed to improving safety in our communities and across the country.

We are proud that since our founding in 1998, our team and our clients have worked to support more than 30 laws nationwide related to our cases - from changing policing policies, to reigning in corporations with unsafe products or practices and improving internet safety for children.

Romanucci & Blandin strives to make a positive impact for others.

Laws & Regulations Passed and Reforms Enacted Related to Our Cases

Healthcare Professional Reporting of Sexual Misconduct, Illinois House Bill 3711 – Currently Awaiting Governor’s Signature

May 31, 2026

IL HB3711 requires healthcare professionals to report sexual or intimate misconduct involving patients to state regulators within 24 hours, adds reporting duties for hospitals, establishes penalties for failure to report, and creates the Sexual Assault Survivors Fund to support victims. This closes the loophole that previously allowed abuse outside hospital walls to go unreported.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin has represented many women who healthcare providers sexually assaulted. As part of our firm’s commitment to ending sexual violence in healthcare settings through both civil litigation and legislative reform, our team supported legislation sponsored by State Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy to strengthen hospitals’ reporting requirements for patient sexual abuse.

Illinois Bivens Act, Illinois House Bill 1312 (104^th General Assembly) / Public Act 104-0440

December 9, 2025

The Illinois Bivens Act allows any person to file a civil lawsuit against an individual who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly violates constitutional rights under either the U.S. or Illinois Constitution. Courts may consider factors such as whether the officer used crowd-control equipment, wore a facial covering, failed to identify themselves as law enforcement, failed to wear a required body camera, or used a vehicle without Illinois license plates. The Act also amends the Illinois Whistleblower Act to protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, has been a vocal advocate for accountability when federal law enforcement officers violate constitutional rights, an area where existing federal law offers victims little recourse. On February 3, 2026, Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci testified before members of Congress, citing Illinois’ recently enacted HB1312 as a model for the reform needed to allow individuals to hold federal officers civilly accountable.

Sonya Massey Act, Illinois Senate Bill 2345 (104^th General Assembly) / Public Act 104-0158

August 12, 2025

The Sonya Massey Act requires Illinois law enforcement agencies to conduct a full review of an applicant’s prior employment and disciplinary history before making a final offer of employment as an officer. Applicants must authorize all previous employers, including other law enforcement agencies, to release complete personnel records, such as background investigation materials, fitness-for-duty examinations, work performance records, and any records of criminal, civil, or administrative investigations.

Context: On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old mother, was shot and killed in her Springfield home by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy after she called 911 for help. Her death drew national attention and renewed scrutiny of how law enforcement agencies across Illinois screen and hire officers. Founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci, who served as civil counsel for the Massey family alongside Ben Crump, supported legislation to strengthen background-review requirements in police hiring statewide. Related legislation, SB1953, was signed into law and amended the Illinois Police Training Act as Public Act 104-0158. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act in August 2025.

Minneapolis Police Reform Federal Consent Decree

January 2025

In January 2025, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a federal consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, prompted by its investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department following the murder of George Floyd. The decree would have placed the department under court-enforced oversight, mandating de-escalation, limits on the use of force, a duty to intervene, non-discrimination, stronger misconduct review, and independent monitoring. In May 2025, the federal court denied approval at the federal administration’s request, and the decree never took effect. Mayor Jacob Frey responded by issuing an executive order directing the department to implement the decree’s terms regardless.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin served on the legal team alongside Ben Crump, representing the family of George Floyd, whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020 prompted the U.S. Department of Justice investigation that ultimately produced this consent decree. The family’s civil case against the City of Minneapolis resulted in a $27 million settlement in 2021, then among the largest of its kind, and Floyd’s death became a catalyst for the broader call for police accountability and reform.

Memphis City Council Police Reforms Following the Death of Tyre Nichols

March - April 2023

In 2023, the Memphis City Council passed a slate of police reforms in response to the death of Tyre Nichols. These included the Tyre Nichols Driving Equality Act, which barred officers from using the five most common pretextual stops, such as a single broken light or a recently expired registration, as the sole basis to pull a driver over; the Data Transparency Act, requiring officers to collect and publish traffic-stop data monthly; and an ordinance prohibiting the use of unmarked cars for traffic stops. In 2024, the State of Tennessee nullified these ordinances through TN SB 2572 / HB 1931, signed by Governor Bill Lee, which barred cities statewide from enacting measures that limit police traffic-stop authority.

Context: On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was pulled over by Memphis police and was unjustly beaten, dying three days later. Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci serves as co-counsel for the Nichols family alongside Ben Crump, pursuing civil litigation against the City of Memphis and the officers involved while continuing to advocate for stronger police accountability and traffic-stop reform.

Protect Illinois Communities Act, Regulation on Assault Weapons, Public Act 102-1116

January 10, 2023

The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois, effective immediately. It amends multiple statutes, including the Criminal Code and the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, establishes criminal penalties for unlawful manufacture, sale, or possession of prohibited weapons, and requires existing owners of covered firearms to file an endorsement affidavit with the Illinois State Police. Passed following the July 4, 2022, Highland Park parade shooting, it is among Illinois’ most comprehensive firearm regulation laws.

Context: On July 4, 2022, a gunman opened fire on the City of Highland Park’s Independence Day parade. Founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci, with co-counsel Everytown Law, filed multiple lawsuits on behalf of more than 40 survivors and loved ones affected by the shooting. As part of the firm’s broader advocacy, our team supported the push for an Illinois ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, and our client Lauren Bennett, a survivor of the shooting, testified before an Illinois House committee in support of the legislation that became the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

Minnesota No-Knock Warrant Reform, Minn. Stat. § 626.14 (2023)

August 1, 2023

After the killing of Amir Locke, Minnesota House File 3398 (92nd Legislature, 2022) was introduced and sought to restrict no-knock search warrants. This standalone bill stalled. However, its core reforms were enacted in 2023 through the state’s public safety omnibus (HF2890 / SF2909, 93rd Legislature), signed into law as 2023 Minnesota Session Laws, Chapter 52. The law amended Minn. Stat. 626.14 to bar courts from issuing no-knock warrants unless officers show that the search cannot be done while the dwelling is unoccupied and that occupants would pose an immediate threat of death or injury if police announced their presence.

Context: On February 2, 2022, Amir Locke, a 22-year-old who was not named in the warrant and was not a suspect, was shot and killed by Minneapolis police within seconds of officers entering the apartment where he was sleeping during the execution of a no-knock search warrant. Founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci, as co-counsel for the Locke family alongside Ben Crump and Jeff Storms, supported the legislative effort to restrict no-knock warrants in Minnesota, and the firm has continued to advocate nationally for limits on the practice as part of broader police reform.

Javier Ambler’s Law, Texas House Bill 54 (87th Legislature)

May 26, 2021

Javier Ambler’s Law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from allowing television crews or other individuals to accompany and film officers while they are performing their official duties for the purpose of producing reality television programs. The law defines “reality television program” as entertainment-focused, non-journalistic content and makes it clear that legitimate news reporting is unaffected. Enacted in 2021, the statute aims to protect individuals’ rights and dignity during police encounters by preventing the filming of real-time law enforcement activities for entertainment purposes.

Context: On March 28, 2019, Javier Ambler II died in police custody after Williamson County, Texas, sheriff’s deputies tased him multiple times during a traffic stop, while a film crew from the show Live PD recorded the encounter. Founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci, serving as co-counsel for the Ambler family alongside Ben Crump and Jeff Edwards, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Williamson County. The lawsuit alleged that the policies of Williamson County, including the incentivizing of force for entertainment value, caused Ambler’s death.

State Use-of-Force Legislation Following the Death of George Floyd

2020-2021

Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, many states enacted police reform laws focused on the use of force, especially chokeholds, deadly force standards, fleeing suspects, protest policing, and reporting requirements. Below is a summary of the various pieces of legislation.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, served on the legal team representing the family of George Floyd, whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020 became a catalyst for nationwide calls for police accountability. The family’s civil case against the City of Minneapolis resulted in a $27 million settlement in 2021, then among the largest of its kind, and Floyd’s death became a catalyst for the broader call for police accountability and reform.

Bans on Chokeholds or Other Neck Restraints

• California – AB 1196 (2020)
• Colorado – SB20-217 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021), also known as the Safe-T Act
• Massachusetts – S.2963 (2020)
• Nevada – AB3 (2020)
• New York – A.6144 (2020)
• Utah – HB 5007 (2020)
• Vermont – S.219 (2020)
• Washington – HB 1054 (2021)
• District of Columbia – B 907 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Restrictions on Chokeholds (or other neck restraints) in Circumstances When Fatal Force is Justified

• Connecticut – HB 6004 (2020)
• Delaware – HB 350 (2020)
• Iowa – HF 2647 (2020)
• Indiana – HB 1006 (2021)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• New Hampshire – HB 1645 (2020)
• Oregon – HB 4203 (2020)
• Virginia – HB 5069 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Restrictions on Force Used Upon or Shooting at Fleeing Suspects or Vehicles (or to prevent escape)

• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Virginia – SB 5030 (2020)
• Washington – HB 1054 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Restrictions on the Use of Less-Lethal Weapons During Protests or Arrests

• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Virginia – SB 5030 (2020)
• Washington – HB 1054 (2021)
• District of Columbia – B 907 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Changes or Clarifications to Fatal Use of Force Policies

• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Connecticut – HB 6004 (2020) and HB 6462 (2021)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Maryland – SB 71 (2021)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• Nevada – AB 3 (2020)
• Oregon – HB 4301 (2020)
• Utah – HB 237 (2021)
• Virginia – SB 5030 (2020)
• Vermont – SB 119 (2020)
• Washington – HB 1310 (2021)
• District of Columbia – B 907 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States that Began Requiring Use of Force Reporting to the State

• Arizona – HB 2168 (2021)
• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Connecticut – HB 6004 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• New York – AB 10609 (2020)
• Virginia – SB 5030 (2020)
• Vermont – SB 219 (2020)
• Washington – HB 1267 (2021) and SB 5051 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States that Began Requiring Use of Force Reporting to the Federal Government

• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating Broad Duties to Intervene, Report, and Render Medical Aid

These states enacted the most comprehensive reforms by requiring officers to intervene, report misconduct, and provide medical assistance:

• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Maryland – SB 71 (2021)
• Nevada – AB 3 (2020)
• Virginia – SB 5030 (2020)
• Washington – SB 5066 & SB 5051 (2021)
• District of Columbia – B 907 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating Duties to Intervene and Report (excludes duty to render medical aid)

• Connecticut – HB 6004 (2020)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• Oregon – HB 4205 (2020)
• Vermont – SB 119 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating a Duty to Intervene Only

• Kentucky – SB 80 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating a Duty to Report Only

• New Hampshire – HB 1645 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating a Duty to Render Medical Aid Only

• New York – SB 6601 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Officer Decertification & Centralized Misconduct Reporting

2020-2021

Following nationwide calls for police accountability after the killing of George Floyd, many states reformed how police misconduct is tracked and how officers can lose certification. Historically, officers fired for misconduct could often move to another department unnoticed (“wandering officers”). These reforms sought to create stronger licensing systems, mandatory reporting, and searchable misconduct databases.

States Creating Their First Centralized Decertification Body

These states established a statewide entity with authority to certify and decertify officers:

• Hawaii – HB 285 (2020)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Expanding Grounds for Suspension or Revocation

Many states broadened the reasons an officer can lose certification, including excessive force, dishonesty, criminal conduct, or resignation during an investigation:

• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Connecticut – HB 6004 (2020)
• Iowa – HB 2647 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Indiana – HB 1006 (2021)
• Kentucky – SB 80 (2021)
• New Mexico – SB 8 (2020)
• Oregon – HB 4207 (2020)
• Pennsylvania – SB 1193 (2020)
• Utah – HB 62 (2021)
• Virginia – HB 5051 (2020)
• Washington – SB 5051 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Requiring Reporting of Resignations, Terminations, or Misconduct to the State

These laws sought to stop officers from quietly resigning and being rehired elsewhere:

• Arkansas – HB 1197 (2021)
• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Hawaii – HB 285 (2020)
• Iowa – HB 2647 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Indiana – HB 1006 (2021)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• New Hampshire – HB 1645 (2020)
• Pennsylvania – SB 1193 (2020) & HB 1841 (2020)
• Utah – SB 13 (2021)
• Virginia – HB 5051 (2020)
• Vermont – SB 124 (2020)
• Washington – SB 5051 (2021)

States Requiring Federal Decertification Reporting

• Indiana – HB 1006 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Washington – SB 5051 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

States Creating Databases/Required Data Maintenance of Disciplinary Actions, Misconduct and/or Decertification of Officers

• Alabama – HB 411 (2021)
• Colorado – SB 217 (2020)
• Illinois – HB 3653 (2021)
• Indiana – HB 1006 (2021)
• Massachusetts – SB 2963 (2020)
• Minnesota – HF 1 (2020)
• Oregon – HB 4207 (2020)
• Pennsylvania – HB 1841 (2020)
• Vermont – SB 124 (2020)
• Washington – SB 5051 (2021)

_{Source: State Policing Reforms Since George Floyd’s Murder, the Brennan Center for Justice}

Matt Haller Act, Senate Bill 1852, Public Act 101-0022

June 21, 2019

The Matt Haller Act, signed June 21, 2019, established some of the nation’s strictest regulations on the carcinogen ethylene oxide (EtO). Named for a Willowbrook father who died of cancer after living near the sterilization plant, the law bars EtO sterilization facilities from operating in Illinois unless they capture 100% of all ethylene oxide emissions and reduce emissions from each exhaust point by at least 99.9%, or to 0.2 parts per million. Facilities must conduct annual emissions testing, and any facility that fails a test must immediately cease operations, notify the Illinois EPA within 24 hours, complete a root cause analysis, and obtain Agency approval before restarting operations. The law also requires Agency-approved continuous emissions monitoring and an Ambient Air Monitoring Plan, with quarterly air sampling conducted by an independent third party. It was enacted alongside a companion measure, Senate Bill 1854 (Public Act 101-0023).

Context: Romanucci & Blandin represented hundreds of residents of the Willowbrook, Illinois area and families suffering from decades of exposure to cancer-causing ethylene oxide emissions from the sterilization plant. R&B supported the passage of the Illinois Matt Haller Act.

Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (SESTA-FOSTA), Public Law 115-164

April 11, 2018

The Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 (H.R. 1865 – 115^th Congress), commonly known as FOSTA-SESTA, was signed into law on April 11, 2018, as Public Law 115-164. The law combats online sex trafficking by making it easier for federal prosecutors, state attorneys general, and trafficking victims to pursue websites that knowingly facilitate prostitution or sex trafficking. It amended Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which had generally shielded internet platforms from liability for user-generated content. This legal change was achieved by creating new federal criminal penalties for operating an online service to promote or facilitate prostitution, allowing civil lawsuits by victims, and clarifying that Section 230 immunity would not block certain trafficking-related claims. The law followed national scrutiny of websites that profited from exploitation, most notably Backpage.com.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, represents Yvonne Ambrose, whose 16-year-old daughter, Desiree Robinson, was trafficked and advertised on Backpage.com before being murdered on Christmas Eve 2016. Managing and Senior Partner Gina A. DeBoni supported the national advocacy effort to pass the federal SESTA/FOSTA law, and Ambrose testified before a U.S. Senate committee and was present at the White House when the bill was signed. The firm continues to represent the family in litigation against Backpage.com and those responsible for Desiree’s death.

Easton-Bell Sports Makes Aluminum Bat Manufacturing Change Due to Safety Concerns in Youth Sports

2008

Details of specific manufacturing/design changes made by Easton-Bell Sports.

Context: Beginning in 2008, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, took on the safety risks of aluminum baseball bats, which propel batted balls fast enough to seriously injure or kill young players who lack the time to react. Founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci became a public voice on the issue after an 11-year-old boy in Illinois suffered facial injuries and a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a line drive off a metal bat from manufacturer Easton-Bell Sports. The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommended changes to the bats, and the manufacturers voluntarily cooperated.

Pending Laws & Regulations

Protecting Children from Hidden Cameras Act, House Bill 4262 (104th General Assembly)

HB4262 would create a civil cause of action allowing a child, or a parent or guardian on the child’s behalf, to sue a person who knowingly uses a concealed or disguised recording device to make or transmit video of the child, without parental consent, in places where privacy is expected, such as restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, tanning facilities, hotel accommodations, or a residence the child does not live in. A prevailing Plaintiff could recover economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. The bill also requires that government inspections of covered locations include checking for hidden cameras, and that anyone who discovers a hidden device immediately notify law enforcement and preserve evidence. As of June 2026, HB4262 passed the Illinois House unanimously (112-0) and is pending in the Senate.

Context: Romanucci & Blandin represents multiple clients, both adults and children, who were secretly recorded by hidden cameras in places where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy, including retail and hotel bathrooms, dressing rooms, and medical treatment rooms. Drawing on this work, the firm has supported HB 4262, a bill sponsored by Illinois State Representative Curtis Tarver to strengthen accountability in hidden-camera cases, particularly when children are harmed. Senior Partner Michael E.  Holden testified before the Illinois House Judiciary-Civil Committee in support of HB 4262, explaining that while Illinois already makes such recording a felony, the bill would create a civil remedy allowing exploited children and their families to hold accountable the businesses and owners on whose property the recording occurs.

Daniel’s Law, Senate Bill 3670, Assembly A4617 (2025-2026 session)

Daniel’s Law, named for Daniel Prude, who died in 2020 after Rochester police restrained him during a mental health crisis, would establish a statewide emergency and crisis response council to oversee a public health-centered system for responding to mental health, substance use, and alcohol-related crises. The bill calls for trauma-informed, peer-led crisis response teams to serve as first responders to crisis calls, to shift crisis response away from police toward health-based care. As of 2026, the full bill has not been enacted, though it passed the New York Senate Mental Health Committee in March 2025.

Context: On March 23, 2020, Daniel Prude died in Rochester, New York, after police restrained him and placed a spit hood over his head while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC has continued to advocate for crisis-response reform that shifts mental health emergencies away from police and toward health-based care.

Attorney and Client Testimony

Many members of our legal team and clients have testified and provided witness statements before lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels:

• Client Jennifer Moriarty – Illinois Accountability Commission – April 28, 2026
• Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci – House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight – April 16, 2026
• Senior Attorney Ben A. Berkman – The People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement: Minnesota – March 10, 2026
• Senior Partner Michael E. Holden – Illinois House Judiciary-Civil Committee – February 25, 2026
• Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci – House of Representatives Steering and Policy Committee – February 12, 2026
• Clients Luke and Brent Ganger (brothers of Renee Good) – Congressional Bicameral Public Forum – February 3, 2026
• Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci – Congressional Bicameral Public Forum – February 3, 2026
• Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci – Minnesota Committee on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability – January 29, 2026
• Client Christina Zamora (mother of Mayah Zamora) – Texas House Community Safety Committee – April 23, 2023
• Clients Andre Locke and Karen Wells (parents of Amir Locke) – Minnesota House Public Safety, Finance and Policy Committee – 2022-2023
• Client Lauren Bennett – Illinois House Committee – December 13, 2022
• Client Anthony Gay – Illinois House Judiciary – Criminal Committee – 2020-2021
• Client Yvonne Ambrose – U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – 2017-2018