Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026
This bill modifies federal sentencing for young people under 18 who were previously trafficked, abused, or assaulted before committing violent crimes. It allows judges to sentence below mandatory minimums and suspend parts of a sentence to account for the trauma the offender experienced. The law specifically applies to those convicted of violent offenses after the bill's enactment, provided the court finds clear evidence they were victimized under specific federal trafficking or abuse laws within the prior year. It directly affects minors with documented histories of victimization who commit violent acts, giving judges discretion to consider their trauma during sentencing.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action Jan 14, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bruce Westerman
RRepublican
Co
Ann Wagner
RRepublican
Co
David G. Valadao
RRepublican
Co
Debbie Dingell
DDemocratic
Co
Deborah K. Ross
DDemocratic
Co
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter
RRepublican
Co
James C. Moylan
RRepublican
Co
John R. Carter
RRepublican
Co
Madeleine Dean
DDemocratic
Co
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
DDemocratic
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