# 119-s-718: Eric’s Law

119-s-718, Eric’s Law, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX); status introduced (as of 2026-10-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-718
- As of: 2026-10-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-718
- Congress: 119
- Title: Eric’s Law
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-02-25
- Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-18

## Summary

**A new special sentencing hearing and second jury** would be required after a non‑unanimous federal capital-sentencing recommendation if the government asks for it. If that second jury also fails to unanimously recommend death, the court would be prohibited from imposing a death sentence and must impose another lawful sentence. - Defendants in death-eligible cases would get an automatic second sentencing jury when the first jury is not unanimous. If the second jury deadlocks the death penalty cannot be imposed. - Federal prosecutors would gain a clear, statutory path to seek a new hearing and fresh jury by moving for the special procedure after a non-unanimous recommendation. - Courts would be required to impanel the second jury and then impose a non-death sentence if unanimity still is not reached, adding a mandatory procedural step in capital sentencing.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE] (R-NE), 2025-02-25T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New jury step in federal death cases: mixed, low. If enacted, this bill would change federal capital sentencing when juries do not reach a unanimous recommendation. If the first jury is not unanimous, prosecutors could ask for a new sentencing hearing. The court would have to hold that special hearing and seat a fresh jury when the government move…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-4668: Protect College Sports Act of 2026
- 119-s-2975: PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025
- 119-s-275: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-718 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/718)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-4668: Protect College Sports Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4668)
- [119-s-2975: PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2975)
- [119-s-275: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS)…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-275)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-718 (as of 2026-10-18).