Actions by State attorneys general

(a) Conspiracy against rights Section 241 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking If two or more persons conspire and inserting the following: (a) Prohibited activities and penalties If two or more persons conspire; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Actions by State attorneys generals (1) In general If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons has suffered bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death resulting from conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court. (2) Relief In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.. (b) Deprivation of rights under color of law Section 242 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking Whoever and inserting the following: (a) Prohibited activities and penalties Whoever; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Actions by State attorneys general (1) In general If the Attorney General of a State has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is being, has been, or may be injured by conduct constituting a violation of this section, such Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of such State, as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in such State, in any appropriate United States District Court. (2) Relief In any action under paragraph (1), the court may award appropriate relief, including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or compensatory or punitive damages if the plaintiff shows that the conduct of the defendant was malicious, oppressive, or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights..