H.R. 4946: Epstein Crime Victims Act

This bill, known as the Epstein Crime Victims Act, aims to amend existing laws related to the rights of crime victims under U.S. federal law. Specifically, the bill proposes the following key changes:

1. Enhanced Definition of Agreements

The bill seeks to expand the category of agreements that fall under the notification requirement for crime victims. It replaces the existing terms with a broader definition that includes:

• Plea bargains
• Deferred prosecution agreements
• Nonprosecution agreements

2. Right to Take Legal Action

If the government enters into any of these agreements and fails to notify the affected crime victim in a timely manner, the bill provides the victim with the right to bring a civil lawsuit against the government. This is intended to allow victims to enforce their rights in cases where they have not been properly informed of such agreements.

3. Court System Involvement

The civil action would be permissible in an appropriate district court in the United States, allowing victims to seek redress in the legal system for any violations of their rights associated with the failure to notify them.

4. Clarification of Existing Law

The bill introduces clarifications to the existing legal framework under Title 18 of the United States Code, specifically regarding the rights of crime victims and the actions they can take if their rights are not upheld.

5. Objectives

The overall goal of this legislation is to strengthen the protections for victims of crime, ensuring they are informed about legal proceedings that may affect their rights and granting them the necessary tools to hold the government accountable if these protections are not met.

Relevant Companies

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