[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S554-S555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. SCHUMER:
S. 3815. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to create a
civil cause of action for certain crimes and to eliminate the statute
of limitations for civil actions relating to certain crimes, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, finally on Virginia's Law, in a few
minutes, I will go to a press conference where I will be joined by some
truly courageous and inspiring individuals.
This morning, I will join with over half a dozen women who endured
unimaginable horrors because of Jeffrey Epstein. I will also join with
Sky and Amanda Roberts, the brother and sister of Virginia Giuffre, the
late Epstein survivor who spoke out on behalf of so many.
I am wearing this blue butterfly to show solidarity with them.
Today, we will introduce Virginia's Law, a simple but essential piece
of legislation eliminating the statute of limitations that has shielded
horrific criminals like Jeffrey Epstein and denied survivors of the
ability to hold them accountable.
I thank Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico for
working with me on this bill.
For years, survivors who were abused, trafficked, and exploited by
Jeffrey Epstein were ignored by the justice system. They were told
nobody believes them. They were told to be silent.
When the truth about Jeffrey Epstein finally started to come out,
when the world started listening to their stories, oftentimes, the laws
on the books said: Sorry, it is too late. The deadline to bring your
case has passed.
Virginia's Law will change that because justice for victims of abuse
should not have an expiration date.
Congress should pass this law immediately. We know when Congress has
the will, it can pass legislation with lightning speed. We passed the
Epstein Files Transparency Act through both Chambers in a day. There is
no reason to delay this bill, which I will introduce later today.
I will have more to say later this morning. But for now, I simply
want to thank all the survivors and family members who are here today
at the Capitol. Their courage is inspiring. They have come a long way
from across the country, taking red eyes and flying overnight so they
can be here for this important moment. Their decision to be here today,
to push Virginia's Law, will ensure others get the justice that they
have been wrongly denied for far too long.
Again, I want to thank Virginia Giuffre's family who will also attend
today. What they have gone through is unimaginable. Virginia was
courageous and an inspiration to every single one of us. After facing
unimaginable horrors, she spoke out--spoke out for
[[Page S555]]
those who could not speak for themselves.
Advancing this bill will help her legacy live on by ensuring justice
for all survivors.
S. 3815
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as ``Virginia's Law''.
SEC. 2. CIVIL REMEDIES.
(a) Sexual Abuse.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 109A of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2249. Civil remedy
``(a) An individual who is a victim of a violation of this
chapter may bring a civil action against the perpetrator (or
whoever knowingly benefits, or attempts or conspires to
benefit, financially or by receiving anything of value from
participation in a venture which that person knew or should
have known has engaged in an act in violation of this
chapter) in any district court of the United States that has
jurisdiction to hear a criminal prosecution arising out of
the same conduct or occurrence and may recover damages and
reasonable attorneys fees.
``(b)(1) Any civil action filed under subsection (a) shall
be stayed during the pendency of any criminal action arising
out of the same occurrence in which the claimant is the
victim.
``(2) In this subsection, the term `criminal action'
includes investigation and prosecution and is pending until
final adjudication in the trial court.
``(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no action may be
maintained under subsection (a) unless it is commenced not
later than the later of--
``(A) 10 years after the cause of action arose; or
``(B) 10 years after the victim reaches 18 years of age, if
the victim was a minor at the time of the alleged offense.
``(2) There shall be no time limit for the filing of a
complaint commencing an action under this section relating to
an alleged violation of section 2241, 2242, or 2243.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
109A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``2249. Civil remedy.''.
(b) Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related
Crimes.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 117 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 2430. Civil remedy
``(a) An individual who is a victim of a violation of this
chapter may bring a civil action against the perpetrator (or
whoever knowingly benefits, or attempts or conspires to
benefit, financially or by receiving anything of value from
participation in a venture which that person knew or should
have known has engaged in an act in violation of this
chapter) in any district court of the United States that has
jurisdiction to hear a criminal prosecution arising out of
the same conduct or occurrence and may recover damages and
reasonable attorneys fees.
``(b)(1) Any civil action filed under subsection (a) shall
be stayed during the pendency of any criminal action arising
out of the same occurrence in which the claimant is the
victim.
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a `criminal
action'--
``(A) includes investigation and prosecution; and
``(B) is pending until final adjudication in the trial
court.
``(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no action may
be maintained under subsection (a) unless it is commenced not
later than the later of--
``(A) 10 years after the cause of action arose; or
``(B) 10 years after the victim reaches 18 years of age, if
the victim was a minor at the time of the alleged offense.
``(2) There shall be no time limit for the filing of a
complaint commencing an action under this section relating to
an alleged violation of section 2421, 2422, or 2423.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
117 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``2430. Civil remedy.''.
SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.
Section 1595 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``an appropriate
district court of the United States'' and inserting ``any
district court of the United States that has jurisdiction to
hear a criminal prosecution arising out of the same conduct
or occurrence''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the
margins accordingly;
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B), as so
redesignated, by striking ``(c) No action'' and inserting the
following:
``(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no action''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) There shall be no time limit for the filing of a
complaint commencing an action under this section relating to
an alleged violation of section 1589, 1590, or 1591.''.
SEC. 4. APPLICABILITY.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), this Act and
the amendments made by this Act shall apply to--
(1) any claim or action that, as of the date of enactment
of this Act, would not have been barred under section 1595(c)
of title 18, United States Code, as in effect on the day
before the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) any claim or action arising on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(b) 1-year Look Back Period.--
(1) Covered action defined.--In this subsection, the term
``covered action''--
(A) means--
(i) a civil action that could have been brought on the day
before the date of enactment of this Act under section 2249
or 2430 of title 18, United States Code, as added by this
Act, if that section had been in effect on that day; and
(ii) a civil action under section 1595 of title 18, United
States Code, relating to an alleged violation of section
1589, 1590, or 1591 of that title that was barred under
section 1595(c) of that title as in effect on the day before
the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) includes a civil action described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) that was dismissed before the date of enactment of
this Act on the basis of the time limit imposed on commencing
an action under section 1595(c) of title 18, United States
Code, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act.
(2) Filing period.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a covered action may be commenced during the 1-year
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.
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