Kamisha's Law
- Bill Number
- S. 2624
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-26T12:03:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled "Kamisha's Law," aims to remove time limits for prosecuting certain federal non-capital homicide offenses (crimes involving killing without the death penalty as a possible punishment). It ensures that these serious crimes can be prosecuted no matter how much time has passed since they occurred, promoting accountability for such acts.
Key Provisions
- New Section in U.S. Code: Adds Section 3302 to Chapter 213 of Title 18, United States Code, which states that there is no time limit ("period of limitations") for filing charges or indictments for specified offenses.
- Covered Offenses: The law applies to:
- Second-degree murder under Section 1111 (general federal murder statute).
- Voluntary manslaughter (intentional killing in the heat of passion) under Section 1112.
- Attempted manslaughter under Section 1113.
- Similar offenses (second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter) when committed against federal officers or employees under Sections 1114, 1116, and 1119.
- Second-degree murder under Section 1118 (murder by a federal prisoner).
- Second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter related to foreign officials under Section 1120.
- Second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter against foreign officials under Section 1121.
- Clerical Update: Adds the new section to the table of contents for Chapter 213.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, federal law imposed statutes of limitations (time limits, typically 5 years for most non-capital felonies under 18 U.S.C. § 3282) on these offenses, meaning prosecutions could not occur after the limit expired.
- This bill eliminates those limits entirely for the listed homicide offenses, overriding any conflicting provisions. It does not affect capital (death penalty-eligible) murders, which already have no time limit.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement (e.g., FBI) could pursue and prosecute older, unsolved cases involving these crimes, potentially increasing investigative workloads but enabling closure on cold cases.
- Citizens: Victims' families and survivors may gain access to justice for long-ago crimes, though it could prolong uncertainty for those potentially implicated. It does not directly affect state-level homicides, only federal ones.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but it could strengthen U.S. commitments to prosecuting crimes against foreign officials (e.g., diplomats), signaling robust protection under international norms like the Vienna Convention.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Prosecutors and Law Enforcement: Gain flexibility to bring charges indefinitely, aiding in resolving historical cases.
- Victims and Families: Benefit from extended opportunities for accountability, especially in cases involving federal officials or international figures.
- Potential Defendants: Face indefinite risk of prosecution for these acts, which could affect individuals involved in past incidents (e.g., former federal prisoners or those who assaulted officials).
- Federal Employees and Officials: Indirectly protected by emphasizing severe consequences for crimes against them.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal criminal procedure by expanding prosecutorial discretion for serious offenses, aligning with existing no-limit rules for capital crimes. It may encourage more thorough evidence preservation in homicide investigations.
- Constitutional: Likely withstands challenges, as statutes of limitations are not constitutionally required (unlike speedy trial rights under the Sixth Amendment), but it could raise due process concerns if applied retroactively to very old cases—though the bill does not explicitly address retroactivity.
- Political: Named "Kamisha's Law," possibly honoring a specific victim (e.g., Kamisha Block, a soldier killed in 2005), reflecting bipartisan interest in victim justice and federal employee safety. It may influence broader debates on statutes of limitations in criminal law without altering sentencing or other penalties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Thune, John [R-SD], Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Kamisha's Law — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (3 pages)