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119-s-3815119th Congress

Virginia's Law

Sponsored By: Senator Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Creates federal civil remedies for victims of sexual crimes and removes key time limits so survivors can sue perpetrators and people who profited from those crimes. It also includes a one-year retroactive window for certain claims that would otherwise be time-barred.

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  • Victims: Would let survivors bring federal civil suits in any U.S. district court that could hear a related criminal case. Plaintiffs could recover damages and reasonable attorneys' fees, and civil cases would be stayed while the related criminal investigation or prosecution is pending.
  • Time limits and exceptions: Would generally require suits to start within the later of 10 years after the cause of action arose or 10 years after a victim reaches 18 if they were a minor. The bill also removes time limits for complaints tied to specified offenses listed in the text, including sections 2241, 2242, 2243, 2421, 2422, 2423, 1589, 1590, and 1591.
  • Retroactive one-year window: Would allow a covered action that would have been barred before enactment, or that was dismissed solely because of the old time limits, to be filed within the single 1-year period that begins on enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New federal civil claims for victims

If enacted, this bill would let victims of sexual abuse, trafficking, and related crimes sue in federal court for damages and attorneys’ fees. It would create two new federal civil causes of action and expand suits tied to certain trafficking crimes. Most suits would need to be filed by the later of 10 years after the offense or 10 years after the victim turns 18. There would be no filing time limit for some very serious offenses, and the bill would remove the time limit for certain trafficking claims. The bill would also open a one-year window after enactment to start certain claims that were previously time-barred. Suits would be stayed while any criminal investigation or prosecution is pending, and suits would be brought in courts tied to the related criminal case.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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