The Public Official Accountability Act aims to enhance government accountability by making public officials personally liable for actions that violate constitutional rights or exceed their lawful duties. The bill defines key terms such as "action outside of appropriate duties," "misuse or abuse of office," and "unconstitutional action," and establishes that public officials can be held liable in civil court for such actions. It specifies that lawsuits must be filed within two years of the alleged misconduct and allows for intervention by the attorney general or district attorney in cases of significant public interest.

The act also clarifies that qualified immunity, sovereign immunity, or other forms of official immunity cannot be used as defenses against liability under this act, although judicial and legislative immunity may apply in certain core functions. Liability is contingent upon proving that the official's conduct was knowing, willful, or reckless, and damages may include compensatory and punitive damages, with specific limits on punitive awards. Additionally, public entities are prohibited from indemnifying officials found liable under this act, except for compensatory damages if the official acted without malice. The provisions of the act are severable, ensuring that if any part is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining sections remain valid.