Bill · S. 960· Senate(119-S-960)
Justice for Murder Victims Act
- Introduced
- 3/11/2025
- Last activity
- 3/14/2025 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
The ``Justice for Murder Victims Act'' aims to ensure that homicides can be prosecuted under Federal law regardless of how much time passes between the harmful act and the victim's death. This bill amends Chapter 51 of title 18 of the United States Code to remove time restrictions for initiating prosecutions. While prosecution is still possible after a long delay, certain penalties change based on that time gap. Specifically, a death sentence cannot be imposed if more than 1 year and 1 day has passed between the act and the death. Additionally, for first-degree murder, if that time gap exceeds 1 year and 1 day, the punishment is limited to a term of years or life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.
Yes
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?+3
The bill allows for prosecution regardless of time elapsed but limits the death penalty for delayed deaths, representing a specific sentencing adjustment.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal prosecution capabilities regarding homicide regardless of the time elapsed between act and death.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
The requirement for the government to prove specific time gaps to impose death penalties adds a specific procedural hurdle.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Prosecution of Homicides: Under Section 2(a)(1), a prosecution may be instituted for any homicide offense without regard to the time that elapsed between the act or omission and the death of the victim. This allows for legal action even if there is a delay between the cause of death and the actual passing of the victim.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Sentencing Restrictions for First-Degree Murder: According to Section 2(d), if the death of the victim occurs more than 1 year and 1 day after the act or omission, the punishment for first-degree murder is limited to imprisonment for a term of years or for life, rather than the possibility of a death sentence.
-
Restrictions on the Death Penalty: Under Section 2(a)(c), a sentence of death may not be imposed if the government cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that not more than 1 year and 1 day elapsed between the act or omission and the death of the victim.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process-2
- 3/14/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 3/12/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 3/11/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1675-1676; text: CR S1676)
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia