Bill > S877

This bill extends the time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for bringing certain legal actions related to severe international human rights abuses. Specifically, it allows ten years to file lawsuits for torts like assault or battery if the conduct also constitutes torture, genocide, war crimes, attempted extrajudicial killings, or crimes against humanity, which are defined in federal law and within this bill. It also extends this ten-year period for wrongful death claims arising from such acts, for actions concerning human trafficking for forced labor or sexual servitude, for the unlawful taking of property in violation of international law when that property has a connection to commercial activities in the United States by a foreign entity, and for claims seeking benefits under an insurance policy that stem from these abuses. Importantly, any lawsuit filed under these new provisions will not be dismissed if it would have been previously barred by an earlier time limit, and the bill explicitly states it applies retroactively, meaning it covers past events regardless of when the claim arose or was filed. Furthermore, prevailing plaintiffs in these cases may be awarded attorney's fees and litigation costs.