Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non Emergencies (CAREN) Act" which prohibits discriminatory emergency calls.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a person to bring a civil action against anyone who, if motivated by the person’s race, religion, sex or any protected state, uses a 911 call to do any of the following (Sec. 2):

• Infringe upon the person’s constitutional rights;

• Unlawfully discriminate against the person;

• Cause the person to feel harassed or humiliated;

• Cause the person to be expelled from a place in which the caller is lawfully located;

• Damage the person’s reputation within a community; or

• Damage the person’s financial interests or prospects.

• Specifies that anyone who makes such a discriminatory emergency call is subject to a misdemeanor and up to a year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine if convicted (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text