hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Creates new civil lawsuits for sex abuse/trafficking victims; removes time limits.
Rep. Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
Introduced in House, referred to committee.
This bill, introduced by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), aims to create new ways for victims of certain sexual abuse and human trafficking crimes to sue their alleged perpetrators in civil court. It also removes the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to the most severe forms of these crimes. The bill has been introduced in the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee, meaning it's in the early stages of the legislative process.
Introduced Feb 10, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 10, 2026. It has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which must review and approve it before it can be considered for a vote by the full House. If it passes the House, it would then move to the Senate for their consideration. As of now, no further action has been taken.
If this bill passes, individuals who have been victims of sexual abuse or human trafficking would have new legal avenues to seek justice and financial compensation from perpetrators. Importantly, for specific severe crimes like aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, or sex trafficking of children, the current time limits for filing civil lawsuits would be eliminated, meaning victims could sue at any point. The bill also broadens who can be sued, including those who knowingly profit from such illegal activities. Additionally, some past cases that were previously time-barred could be refiled within a one-year window after the bill becomes law.
Supporters Say
This bill would empower victims of severe crimes to seek justice and compensation without arbitrary time constraints.
Critics Say
Concerns could arise regarding the fairness to defendants in very old cases where evidence might be scarce.
Proponents of "Virginia's Law" would argue it provides a critical pathway for survivors to hold their abusers accountable, especially given the psychological impact of these crimes can delay disclosure. Opponents might raise questions about the challenges of defending against civil actions related to incidents that occurred many years or decades in the past, potentially impacting the ability to gather evidence or recall accurate details.