The Keene Act - Watchmen (1986)

In response to the police strikes and anti-vigilante protest, Senator Keene pushed for an emergency bill that would outlaw vigilantism in America. The bill was passed by majority vote, as well as being signed off by President Richard Nixon, immediately going into effect on the 3rd of August 1977.

The bill stated that it was illegal for any vigilante to operate in America, only making an exception for any who pledged themselves fully to the American government. Because of this, Dr Manhattan and The Comedian were the only two legally operating costumed adventurers in the county. 

Both Silk Spectre and Nite Owl retired from crimefighting, with the latter refusing to reveal his identity to the public.

Rorschach, on the other hand, refused to accept this act of suppression from the government, making  his protestestations loudly heard when he left the dead body of a serial rapist on the steps of the N.Y.P.D Headquarters with a note reading "never." He had been on the run ever since. 

The Act has continued to be in effect since its passing, with no signs of it being relaxed or appealed. Despite this, it has been consistently undermined by Rorschach, as well as Nite Owl and Silk Spectre, who in 1985 sprung the arrested Walter Kovac's from Sing Song Penitentiary.