Sponsor
Dustin Johnson
Representative · R-SD
Representative · R-SD
The bill expands survivors' ability to seek federal accountability for past homicides but increases risks to defendants' fair trials and raises potential federal costs.
Victims' families of covered homicide offenses can pursue federal prosecution even decades after the crime, increasing opportunities for accountability and closure.
Defendants in long‑old cases may face prosecution when evidence has degraded, making it harder for them to mount a fair defense and for courts to reach accurate findings.
Taxpayers may bear higher costs because the Department of Justice and federal courts could see increased workload and expenses from pursuing older cases at the federal level.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Removes the federal statute of limitations for specified non‑capital homicide offenses charged under enumerated federal sections so prosecutions can be brought at any time.
Official title: To eliminate the period of limitations for certain non-capital homicide offenses.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Dustin Johnson · Last progress February 4, 2026
Eliminates any statute of limitations for a set of specified non‑capital homicide offenses in federal law, so prosecutions for those crimes can be brought at any time. The bill adds a new chapter to Title 18, creating 18 U.S.C. § 3302 to allow indictments or informations for second‑degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and attempted manslaughter (when charged under the listed federal homicide provisions) without time limit.