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119-s-960119th Congress

Justice for Murder Victims Act

Sponsored By: Senator Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

Passed Senate

Summary

Removes the maximum time limit for prosecuting federal homicide offenses. The Justice for Murder Victims Act lets federal prosecutors bring homicide charges regardless of how long after an act or omission the victim dies, while setting a precise one-year-and-one-day rule that limits death-penalty eligibility and alters first-degree murder punishments when death occurs later.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

No limit to charge federal murder, stricter death penalty

If enacted, the government would be able to bring a federal homicide case no matter how long after the act the victim dies. This would apply only to acts or omissions that happen after the law takes effect, and it would not override the general time limit in 28 U.S.C. 3282(a) when that law still applies. A death sentence would be allowed only if the government proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the death happened within 1 year and 1 day of the act. If the death happened later, first‑degree murder under 18 U.S.C. 1111(b) would carry up to life in prison, or any term of years. These penalty rules would start when the law takes effect.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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