H.R. 2260House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

To codify the Bill of Rights.

Introduced March 26, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:11 AM UTC

The bill adds a new Chapter 4 to Title 1 of the United States Code that restates the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. By codifying these constitutional protections, the law makes the text of those rights part of the federal statutory framework, affecting all individuals, courts, and government agencies. It also updates the table of contents to reflect the new chapter.

Key Provisions

  • Creates Chapter 4 in Title 1 of the U.S. Code, sections 401‑410, which verbatim restate each of the first ten amendments (religion, speech, press, assembly, petition; right to keep and bear arms; quartering of soldiers; search and seizure; due process; criminal prosecution rights; trial by jury; bail, fines, cruel and unusual punishment; non‑enumerated rights; powers reserved to states or the people).
  • Amends the table of chapters at the start of Title 1 to list the new Chapter 4, “Bill of Rights,” with its section number.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

October 19, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 26, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

March 26, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

October 19, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 26, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2260

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 26, 2021

Mr. Stivers introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To codify the Bill of Rights.

1.

Codification of Bill of Rights

(a)

In general

Title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

4

Bill of Rights

401. Free exercise of religion; freedom of speech and assembly; right to petition Government.

402. Well regulated militia.

403. Quartering of soldiers.

404. Unreasonable searches and seizures.

405. Due process of law.

406. Rights in criminal prosecutions.

407. Trial by jury.

408. Excessive bail and fines; cruel and unusual punishment.

409. Non-enumerated rights.

410. Rights reserved to States or people.

401.

Free exercise of religion; freedom of speech and assembly; right to petition Government

No law shall be enacted in the United States respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of their grievances.

402.

Well regulated militia

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

403.

Quartering of soldiers

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

404.

Unreasonable searches and seizures

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.

405.

Due process of law

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

406.

Rights in criminal prosecutions

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

407.

Trial by jury

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

408.

Excessive bail and fines; cruel and unusual punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

409.

Non-enumerated rights

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

410.

Rights reserved to States or people

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of chapters at the beginning of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:

4.Bill of Rights401

.