Bill > S718

This bill, known as "Eric's Law," amends Title 18 of the United States Code to establish a new legal procedure for death penalty cases. Specifically, the bill requires that if a jury cannot unanimously recommend a sentence for a capital crime (a crime punishable by death), the court must impanel a new jury to conduct a special sentencing hearing. If this new jury also fails to reach a unanimous recommendation, the court will be required to impose a sentence other than death that is authorized by law. This provision aims to ensure that a death sentence can only be recommended if all jury members agree, and provides a mechanism for selecting a different sentence if unanimous agreement cannot be reached. The bill introduces an additional procedural step in death penalty cases, potentially making it more difficult to impose capital punishment by requiring complete jury consensus.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/718/all-info