Legis Daily

Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

USA119th CongressHR-4323| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2026
Russell Fry

Russell Fry

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (19)
Keith Self (Republican)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Ann Wagner (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Max L. Miller (Republican)Kevin Kiley (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Burgess Owens (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes mechanisms for victims of human trafficking to obtain relief from certain federal criminal records. It permits individuals convicted of a level A offense , defined as a non-violent federal offense, to move the court to vacate their conviction if the offense was a direct result of having been a victim of trafficking. Similarly, it allows for the expungement of arrests for level A offenses under the same condition. For arrests related to level B offenses , which are violent federal crimes not involving child victims, expungement is possible if the conduct was directly related to trafficking and additional conditions are met, such as acquittal or dismissal of charges. Motions for relief require supporting evidence, including affidavits from anti-human trafficking service providers, and courts must hold hearings if the government opposes the motion. If a motion is granted, vacated convictions are not considered federal convictions, and expunged arrests are not regarded as federal arrests, restoring the movant's prior status. The Act also allows courts to reduce imprisonment terms for covered prisoners if their offense was a direct result of being trafficked. All motions and related documents are filed under seal to ensure the movant's confidentiality, and no fees can be charged for filing these motions. Furthermore, the bill creates a new human trafficking defense , allowing defendants in federal prosecutions to establish duress by demonstrating they were a victim of trafficking at the time of the offense. Importantly, failure to assert this defense during trial does not prevent its use as a mitigating factor during sentencing or in post-conviction relief proceedings, nor does it disqualify victims from federally funded aid programs. The Act mandates reporting from United States Attorneys and the Government Accountability Office on its implementation, including the number of motions filed and their outcomes, and training on human trafficking indicators. It clarifies that grants for legal representation can be used for post-conviction relief and applies to any conviction or arrest occurring before, on, or after its enactment, without conflicting with existing crime victims' rights.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
6 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3627
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8672
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7137
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2255
Introduced in Senate
Jul 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 17, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 299.
Oct 17, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-347.
Dec 1, 2025
Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 1, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4919-4923)
Dec 1, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4323.
Dec 1, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)
Dec 1, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)
Dec 1, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Dec 18, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 18, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894)
Dec 19, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 12, 2026
Presented to President.
Jan 23, 2026
Signed by President.
Jan 23, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-73.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3627
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8672
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7137
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2255
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 10, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 10, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • October 17, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 299.


  • October 17, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-347.


  • December 1, 2025
    Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 1, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4919-4923)


  • December 1, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4323.


  • December 1, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)


  • December 1, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)


  • December 1, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate, read twice.


  • December 18, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 18, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894)


  • December 19, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • January 12, 2026
    Presented to President.


  • January 23, 2026
    Signed by President.


  • January 23, 2026
    Became Public Law No: 119-73.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1379: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025
  • S 119-2255: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025
Congressional oversightCrime victimsCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHuman traffickingJudicial procedure and administrationLegal fees and court costsSmuggling and trafficking

Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

USA119th CongressHR-4323| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2026
The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes mechanisms for victims of human trafficking to obtain relief from certain federal criminal records. It permits individuals convicted of a level A offense , defined as a non-violent federal offense, to move the court to vacate their conviction if the offense was a direct result of having been a victim of trafficking. Similarly, it allows for the expungement of arrests for level A offenses under the same condition. For arrests related to level B offenses , which are violent federal crimes not involving child victims, expungement is possible if the conduct was directly related to trafficking and additional conditions are met, such as acquittal or dismissal of charges. Motions for relief require supporting evidence, including affidavits from anti-human trafficking service providers, and courts must hold hearings if the government opposes the motion. If a motion is granted, vacated convictions are not considered federal convictions, and expunged arrests are not regarded as federal arrests, restoring the movant's prior status. The Act also allows courts to reduce imprisonment terms for covered prisoners if their offense was a direct result of being trafficked. All motions and related documents are filed under seal to ensure the movant's confidentiality, and no fees can be charged for filing these motions. Furthermore, the bill creates a new human trafficking defense , allowing defendants in federal prosecutions to establish duress by demonstrating they were a victim of trafficking at the time of the offense. Importantly, failure to assert this defense during trial does not prevent its use as a mitigating factor during sentencing or in post-conviction relief proceedings, nor does it disqualify victims from federally funded aid programs. The Act mandates reporting from United States Attorneys and the Government Accountability Office on its implementation, including the number of motions filed and their outcomes, and training on human trafficking indicators. It clarifies that grants for legal representation can be used for post-conviction relief and applies to any conviction or arrest occurring before, on, or after its enactment, without conflicting with existing crime victims' rights.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
6 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3627
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8672
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7137
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2255
Introduced in Senate
Jul 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 17, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 299.
Oct 17, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-347.
Dec 1, 2025
Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 1, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4919-4923)
Dec 1, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4323.
Dec 1, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)
Dec 1, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)
Dec 1, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Dec 18, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 18, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894)
Dec 19, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 12, 2026
Presented to President.
Jan 23, 2026
Signed by President.
Jan 23, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-73.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3627
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8672
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7137
    Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2255
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 10, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 10, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • October 17, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 299.


  • October 17, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-347.


  • December 1, 2025
    Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 1, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4919-4923)


  • December 1, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4323.


  • December 1, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)


  • December 1, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)


  • December 1, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate, read twice.


  • December 18, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 18, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894)


  • December 19, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • January 12, 2026
    Presented to President.


  • January 23, 2026
    Signed by President.


  • January 23, 2026
    Became Public Law No: 119-73.
Russell Fry

Russell Fry

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (19)
Keith Self (Republican)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Ann Wagner (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Max L. Miller (Republican)Kevin Kiley (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Burgess Owens (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1379: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025
  • S 119-2255: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightCrime victimsCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHuman traffickingJudicial procedure and administrationLegal fees and court costsSmuggling and trafficking