H.R. 8481: Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026
This bill, titled the Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026, aims to amend federal law by introducing a new provision concerning "natural lifetime injunctions" for victims of specific serious crimes. Here are the key components of the bill:
Natural Lifetime Injunctions
The bill allows courts to issue an order that prevents a convicted defendant from contacting their victim for the entirety of the defendant’s life. This applies under the following conditions:
- The order can be requested by either the government or the victim during the sentencing phase of the trial.
- This injunction will be mandatory for defendants convicted of a "covered offense".
Definition of Covered Offense
A "covered offense" refers to:
- A felony crime of violence.
- A felony that includes any sexual act or sexual conduct, as defined under specific sections of federal law.
The bill also provides examples of applicable offenses, including but not limited to:
- Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes.
- Various sexual offenses against children.
Modification and Termination of Injunctions
The injunction can be modified or terminated only under specific circumstances:
- If the victim requests it on the grounds that the defendant has received a pardon.
- If the defendant claims that their conviction has been dismissed or overturned on appeal.
In either case, a hearing will be held to consider the motion, and evidence may be presented regarding the claims.
No Fees for Victims
Significantly, the bill states that no fees can be charged to victims in relation to the issuance of these orders, promoting accessibility for those seeking protection through this legal mechanism.
Jurisdictional Note
It is also noted that this new provision does not supersede or limit the application of existing state laws regarding injunctions or protective orders.
Relevant Companies
None found
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
22 bill sponsors
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TrackAbraham Hamadeh
Sponsor
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TrackBrian Babin
Co-Sponsor
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TrackAndy Biggs
Co-Sponsor
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TrackTim Burchett
Co-Sponsor
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TrackKen Calvert
Co-Sponsor
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TrackJuan Ciscomani
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TrackElijah Crane
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TrackTroy Downing
Co-Sponsor
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TrackMike Ezell
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TrackBrandon Gill
Co-Sponsor
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TrackPaul A. Gosar
Co-Sponsor
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TrackDavid P. Joyce
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TrackKimberlyn King-Hinds
Co-Sponsor
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TrackNancy Mace
Co-Sponsor
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TrackDaniel Meuser
Co-Sponsor
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TrackBarry Moore
Co-Sponsor
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TrackGary J. Palmer
Co-Sponsor
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TrackDavid Schweikert
Co-Sponsor
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TrackChristopher H. Smith
Co-Sponsor
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TrackW. Gregory Steube
Co-Sponsor
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TrackMarlin A. Stutzman
Co-Sponsor
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TrackDavid Taylor
Co-Sponsor
Actions
4 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jun. 03, 2026 | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| Jun. 03, 2026 | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0. |
| Apr. 23, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Apr. 23, 2026 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. |
Corporate Lobbying
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Potentially Relevant Congressional Stock Trades
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