Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-3596119th Congress
Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would push federal courts to tighten and clarify privacy rules to strengthen privacy protections for alleged victims of sexual assault. It would prompt formal reviews of evidence and discovery rules to narrow what sexual history and private records can be used or disclosed in federal cases.
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- Alleged victims: Would aim to limit admission of evidence about a victim's sexual behavior or predisposition and to tighten how any admissible material is handled to protect privacy.
- Parties and lawyers in civil and criminal cases: Would face narrower discovery rules that restrict demands for personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, medical, or other private records unless those records are directly relevant to the case.
- Courts and the Judicial Conference: Would require the Judicial Conference to identify proposed amendments for Rules 412, 26, and 16 and to submit three reports within 180 days, following the process in chapter 131 of title 28.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger privacy for alleged sexual assault victims
If enacted, the Judicial Conference would have to send Congress three reports within 180 days. The reports would review Rule 412 and Rules 26 and 16 about evidence and discovery. They would propose ways to limit using an alleged victim’s sexual history as evidence. They would narrow requests for private records unless directly relevant. They would add stronger privacy rules and limit later sharing of sensitive records. This bill would not change court rules by itself; it asks for recommendations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov