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.

Sponsor: Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic-NM)February 10, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Victims of severe sexual abuse and trafficking would gain new ways to sue perpetrators, with no time limits.

This bill, called 'Virginia's Law,' would create new ways for victims of sexual abuse and transportation for illegal sexual activity to sue those who harmed them. It would also remove time limits for civil lawsuits involving severe sexual abuse, transportation for illegal sexual activity, and human trafficking. Importantly, some victims whose claims were previously too old to file would get a one-year window to bring their cases to court.

What Would Change

Today, victims of certain sexual abuse and transportation for illegal sexual activity crimes do not have a specific federal civil way to sue their abusers. Civil lawsuits for human trafficking crimes are also subject to time limits. This bill would create new federal civil actions for victims of sexual abuse and transportation for illegal sexual activity, and it would remove time limits for civil lawsuits related to severe sexual abuse, transportation for illegal sexual activity, and human trafficking crimes. It would also allow some previously time-barred claims to be filed during a one-year period after the bill takes effect.

Key Provisions

Lets victims of sexual abuse sue perpetrators and those who knowingly benefit for damages and legal fees.
Ends time limits for civil lawsuits involving severe sexual abuse crimes.
Lets victims of transportation for illegal sexual activity sue perpetrators and those who knowingly benefit for damages and legal fees.
Ends time limits for civil lawsuits involving severe transportation for illegal sexual activity crimes.
Ends time limits for civil lawsuits involving severe human trafficking crimes.
Creates a 1-year period for victims to file certain civil claims that were previously too old to bring to court.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7467 · 119th Congress · February 10, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

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.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity