To clarify the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, to appropriately limit the application of defenses based on the passage of time and other non-merits defenses to claims under that Act.

Summary

Amends the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act to make it easier for people and institutions to recover art stolen by the Nazis. It clarifies that claims may be brought regardless of how much time has passed or the claimant’s nationality, treats covered claims as involving violations of international law for jurisdiction purposes, bars time-based and certain discretionary defenses, authorizes nationwide service of process, and includes a severability clause. The changes apply to lawsuits already pending on the date the law is enacted (including appeals) and to claims filed afterward.

• Allows recovery claims for Nazi-looted art regardless of how long ago the taking occurred.
• Permits claimants to sue even if they are not U.S. citizens or residents.
• Treats covered claims as involving violations of international law for purposes of a key foreign sovereign immunity exception.
• Bars time-based defenses such as laches and adverse possession in covered claims.
• Bars certain discretionary defenses like act of state, forum non conveniens, and international comity for covered claims.
• Authorizes nationwide service of process for actions under the Act.
• Applies retroactively to cases pending on enactment (including appeals) and prospectively to new claims.