New rules would stop debtors from using bankruptcy to escape child sexual abuse claims.
This bill would make it harder for individuals and organizations responsible for child sexual abuse to use bankruptcy to avoid paying victims. It would prevent these specific debts from being cleared and make it tougher to seal evidence or release other responsible parties without strong victim consent. This aims to give victims a stronger voice and more accountability in bankruptcy cases.
Today, bankruptcy law might allow debts from child sexual abuse to be cleared, evidence to be sealed, and other parties to be released from liability without high victim consent. This bill would prevent debtors directly responsible or grossly negligent in child sexual abuse from clearing related debts, override state time limits for these claims in bankruptcy, and require at least 90 percent of voting creditors (victims) to agree to release other parties. It would also limit the sealing of evidence and require victim impact statements.
HR 8589 · 119th Congress · April 29, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10
Sign in to see your representatives' phone numbers