# 119-s-4900: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026

119-s-4900, North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA); status introduced (as of 2026-08-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4900
- As of: 2026-08-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4900
- Congress: 119
- Title: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-06-24
- Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-01

## Summary

**Reauthorizes and expands U.S. human-rights and refugee efforts toward North Korea through October 18, 2030.** The bill would extend program authorities and reporting timelines, strengthen information campaigns into North Korea, and bolster refugee resettlement and related sanctions. - North Korean refugees and families: directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with faith-based and Korean‑American organizations, requires publicly available guidance on resettlement options, and mandates messaging and information distribution into North Korea by internet, radio, brochures, and electronic storage devices. - U.S. reporting and broadcasting: extends annual reporting and information programs to October 18, 2030, renames the Broadcasting Board of Governors to the United States Agency for Global Media in related statutes, and adds required plan updates plus a new report if the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues is vacant for a set period. - Sanctions and humanitarian aid: explicitly adds forced repatriation of North Korean refugees as a sanctionable act, expands exemptions to include the Republic of Korea and Japan, and requires a Congressional report on humanitarian exemptions, delivery methods, and dealings with the U.N. Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK), 2026-06-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More resettlement help for North Koreans: benefit, low. This bill would direct the State and Homeland Security secretaries to work with faith-based and Korean‑American groups to resettle North Korean participants in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in communities with existing Korean‑American populations. It would require the State Department to publ…
- Extend North Korea human-rights programs: benefit, low. This bill would extend several program authorities and reporting deadlines in the North Korean Human Rights Act through October 18, 2030. It would change some covered-year ranges to 2025 through 2030 and extend an existing authorization through 2030 so agencies can continue programs and reports. If…
- Sanctions for forced repatriation, plus exemptions: benefit, low. This bill would let U.S. authorities designate and target any person who knowingly forced the repatriation of North Korean refugees to North Korea for sanctions. It would also add the Republic of Korea and Japan to a statutory list of exemptions for certain sanctions rules. If enacted, these change…

## Related bills

- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-s-4900 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4900)

## Related
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4900 (as of 2026-08-01).