To codify the Bill of Rights.
Bill: H.R.2260 | Sponsor: Rep. Stivers, Steve (R-OH)
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Summary:
This bill codifies the Bill of Rights as part of the U.S. Code.

To codify the Bill of Rights.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 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:

                      ``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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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.
``Sec. 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 Rights.........................................     401''.
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