A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S554-555; text: CR S555)
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled "Virginia's Law," aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It creates a new civil cause of action for victims of certain crimes, allowing them to seek damages and reasonable attorney fees. The legislation also eliminates the statute of limitations for specific civil actions relating to certain crimes. Additionally, it establishes provisions for how these actions are handled during criminal investigations and prosecutions. Finally, the bill includes specific rules regarding the applicability of these changes and a one-year look-back period for certain actions.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
The bill creates new civil remedies and removes time limits for victims of sexual abuse crimes.
- Scored +6
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill expands legal recourse for victims by establishing civil causes of action and removing certain statutes of limitations.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill eliminates the statute of limitations for certain crimes often involving minors, allowing them more time to seek justice as they reach adulthood.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Civil Remedy for Victims: Victims of certain sexual abuse or crimes related to transportation for illegal sexual activity may bring civil actions against perpetrators or those who knowingly benefit financially from the crimes (Sec. 2, Sec. 2249; Sec. 2, Sec. 2430).
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Recovery of Costs: Victims of these crimes may recover not only damages but also reasonable attorneys fees (Sec. 2, Sec. 2249; Sec. 2, Sec. 2430).
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Removal of Time Limits: For specific violations under sections 2241, 2242, or 2243, as well as sections 2421, 2422, or 2423, there shall be no time limit for filing a complaint (Sec. 2, Sec. 2249; Sec. 2, Sec. 2430). Similarly, there is no time limit for actions under section 1595 relating to sections 1589, 1590, or 1591 (Sec. 3).
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Look Back Period: The bill allows for a one-year period starting on the date of enactment where "covered actions" can be commenced, including those that were previously barred by time limits (Sec. 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Delayed Civil Actions: Civil actions must be stayed (paused) while a criminal action, including investigation and prosecution, is pending in a trial court (Sec. 2, Sec. 2249; Sec. 2, Sec. 2430).
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Time Limits for Certain Actions: For some actions, there is a limit to when they must be commenced, specifically the later of 10 years after the cause of action arose or 10 years after the victim reaches 18 years of age if they were a minor (Sec. 2, Sec. 2249; Sec. 2, Sec. 2430).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The bill creates new civil remedies and removes time limits for victims of sexual abuse crimes. Would children be better off under this? — The bill eliminates the statute of limitations for certain crimes often involving minors, allowing them more time to seek justice as they reach adulthood. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides a pathway for legal recourse for crimes that occurred during their minority. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill allows victims to recover reasonable attorney fees, which can help facilitate legal action for those with limited resources. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides expanded legal remedies for victims of crimes that may disproportionately affect minority communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill expands legal recourse for victims by establishing civil causes of action and removing certain statutes of limitations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides a civil remedy for victims of sexual abuse crimes which can disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
- 2/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S554-555; text: CR S555)
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.