A bill to amend section 1979 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983), relating to civil actions for the deprivation of rights, to limit the applicability of that statute to laws relating to equal rights, and to provide a special defense to the liability of political subdivisions of States.

Amends current law creating a Federal cause of action for the violation of a person's civil rights under color of State law to limit such actions to those for deprivation of constitutional rights or of legal rights under laws providing for equal rights of citizens or all persons within U.S. jurisdiction.

Prohibits the award of damages against any Federal, State, or local governmental entity in any action for the deprivation of rights where the court finds that the officials involved acted in good faith.

Grants Federal jurisdiction in these cases only after all administrative and judicial remedies have been exhausted.