4.20 Definition: Color of State Law (42 U.S.C. CIV. 1983) refers to a statute that provides a private individual with a legal remedy against a state or local government for violations of certain civil rights, including the right to due process and equal protection of the laws. It allows individuals to sue for damages in federal court against states and local governments that have violated their civil rights. This includes the right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and disability. There are two types of color of state law: 1) Section 1983 claims and 2) Givens claims. Section 1983 claims allow individuals to sue for damages and injunctive relief for violations of their civil rights by state and local governments, while Givens claims allow individuals to sue for damages for violations of their constitutional rights by federal government actors.