Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026

This bill would create a federal program, run by the Attorney General, to pay money to survivors of sexual violence. People could apply if they were victims of sexual abuse, assault, trafficking, or exploitation committed or aided by Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, or if they were victims of a federal sex offense and the federal government did not give them their legal rights as crime victims. Claims would be filed with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and decided by special adjudicators, at least 4 of whom must be licensed mental health professionals. Awards would be at least $123,000, would include attorneys' fees, and would not count as taxable income or as income for means-tested benefits. Payments would come from a new Treasury fund made up of certain forfeited money, private contributions, and appropriations.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Ayanna Pressley Democrat sponsor
• 46 cosponsors