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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Logan's Law directs the Attorney General to create a free, public database listing individuals with qualifying violent convictions, requiring states that receive federal crime grants to submit their records. The database will allow searches by various personal details and conviction specifics, such as the judge and prosecutor involved, and must be updated at least every three months. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to report on current barriers to sharing criminal records between states and the federal government and to propose solutions for improving this data exchange. States that fail to submit the required data could face penalties, including the withholding of federal Byrne JAG grant funds or the direct distribution of those funds to local governments within the state.
The Closing Bankruptcy Loopholes for Child Predators Act of 2026 modifies federal bankruptcy laws to ensure that individuals and organizations accused of sexually abusing children cannot easily hide their assets or avoid financial responsibility. Key provisions include preventing the discharge of debts related to child sexual abuse, requiring courts to hold special conferences for victims to share their experiences, and mandating independent forensic audits for nonprofit organizations facing such allegations. The bill also restricts the ability of debtors to release third parties from liability without strong voter approval and prohibits sealing evidence related to these crimes, except to protect a victim's identity when the accused is found not guilty.
This resolution designates April 29, 2026, as Denim Day to honor survivors of sexual assault and raise awareness against victim-blaming. It encourages people to wear denim as a symbol that clothing or behavior never constitutes consent and calls for stronger support for survivors. The bill also urges federal, state, and local governments to improve policies and funding for prevention and survivor services, while allowing members of Congress to wear denim on the House floor.
