Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights) in United States

in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HR 10389: Survivor’s Voice Protection Act

The Survivor's Voice Protection Act makes nondisclosure clauses unenforceable if they prevent victims of sexual abuse or others from disclosing facts related to such abuse, a rule that applies retroactively to contracts signed before the law is enacted. The bill also requires fiduciaries, such as guardians or trustees, to report suspected grooming behavior to law enforcement within 90 to 180 days of learning about it. Victims who suffer harm due to a fiduciary's failure to report can sue for damages in federal court, and state attorneys general may also bring civil actions on behalf of their residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 16, 2026

SRES 858: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Constance Benjamin Clery.

This Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Constance Benjamin Clery, who passed away in June 2026. It recognizes her pivotal role in establishing the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act after the murder of her daughter, which requires colleges to disclose crime statistics and security policies. The text also highlights her decades of work with the Clery Center to support victims and improve campus safety standards. Finally, the resolution expresses condolences to her family and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to enforcing existing federal campus safety laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Higher Education School Safety

in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HR 10397: Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026

The Survivors' Rights Restitution Act of 2026 establishes a federal compensation program administered by the Attorney General for victims of sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, or exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as victims whose rights were violated by the federal government. Petitions are filed with the United States Court of Federal Claims and assigned to special adjudicators who must be mental health professionals or experts in victim services, civil rights law, or claims administration. The process is designed to be informal and less adversarial than standard litigation, with decisions required within 120 days and a minimum compensation award of $123,000. Compensation is funded by a dedicated Treasury account that accepts forfeited assets and voluntary contributions, and payments are exempt from federal income tax and means-tested benefit calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Income Tax Civil Rights Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Mental Health

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5201: Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Victims' Rights

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 7, 2026

S 5372: Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026

The Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026 requires federal courts to issue permanent no-contact orders against individuals convicted of specific violent felonies or sexual offenses. These orders, which take effect at sentencing, prohibit any direct or indirect communication or physical interaction between the defendant and the victim for the rest of the defendant's life. Victims can request these injunctions without paying any fees, and violations are punishable as contempt of court. The only ways to end or suspend the order are if the victim petitions the court due to a pardon or changed circumstances, or if the defendant proves their conviction was dismissed or overturned on appeal.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9694: Epstein Files Transparency Act II

This bill strengthens the Epstein Files Transparency Act by giving state attorneys general and victims the legal right to sue the U.S. Attorney General if they unlawfully withhold, redact, or delay access to investigation records. It requires the Justice Department to provide unredacted copies of documents to state officials for use in investigations and to victims personally, while allowing redactions only to protect the privacy of other victims. The legislation also mandates that courts expedite these cases, removes common legal excuses for hiding documents, and imposes criminal penalties on federal employees who obstruct compliance. Additionally, it grants Members of Congress the authority to request full access to records and to file lawsuits if the Attorney General fails to comply within a set timeframe.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Tags Government Transparency

in committee · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 8898: End Government Pensions for Sexual Abusers Act of 2026

This bill prohibits Members of Congress and their survivors from receiving federal retirement benefits if they are convicted of specific sexual offenses committed on or after the law's enactment. It also bars pension payments for individuals who are under indictment for these crimes and willfully remain outside the United States for more than a year to avoid prosecution. Additionally, the legislation allows funds that would have gone to a convicted member's pension to be redirected to pay court-ordered restitution to victims of the sexual offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8746: VICTIM Act of 2026

The VICTIM Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to help state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Funds awarded by the Attorney General can be used to hire and train investigators, upgrade forensic technology, implement evidence-based investigative strategies, and provide support services for victims and their families. The legislation also mandates regular reporting on investigation outcomes and requires the Justice Department to conduct audits to prevent misuse of funds, with specific provisions ensuring that at least 5% of the money goes to rural and Tribal agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · United States · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 8002: Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026

This bill expands federal labor protections to incarcerated workers by explicitly including them under the Fair Labor Standards Act, regardless of whether they work in publicly or privately operated correctional facilities. It defines these workers as individuals performing labor within prison programs, work release initiatives, or facility operations, and clarifies that they are employed by either the public agency or the private contractor running the facility. A key provision allows employers to deduct the cost of board, lodging, and certain court-imposed fees from an incarcerated worker's wages without counting these deductions against minimum wage requirements. The legislation also specifies which fees qualify for deduction, such as court surcharges and filing costs, while explicitly excluding payments for child support, victim compensation, civil judgments, and criminal fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · United States · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8571: TREY'S Law

This bill, known as TREY's Law, aims to make nondisclosure clauses in contracts void and unenforceable if they prevent the reporting of sexual abuse involving minors. It directly affects victims of such abuse, their families, and anyone with knowledge of the abuse by allowing them to disclose these incidents without fear of civil liability. The law applies retroactively to agreements made before or after its passage and overrides any state laws that allow the enforcement of these specific clauses. While it invalidates clauses that silence abuse details, it permits parties to keep confidential other settlement terms like payment amounts, provided this does not stop the disclosure of the abuse itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

All criminal justice bills