Qualified immunity is a Supreme Court doctrine that shields employees of state and federal governments from being held civilly liable for constitutional violations. 

Under the umbrella of policing, qualified immunity has prevented officers who use excessive from being held accountable for their conduct. 

A bill to end qualified immunity in New York state, sponsored by Senator Robert Jackson and Assemblymember Pam Hunter, currently sits in the Government Operations Committees in both houses of the state legislature. 

On Capital Tonight, Assemblymember Hunter discussed the bill with host Susan Arbetter, as well as the state of police and community relations in the city of Syracuse, which she represents. 

Hunter said she is having active discussions with leadership on the bill to end qualified immunity; she is hopeful it will pass before the end of session, which is on June 10.