Legis Daily

Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7081| House 
| Updated: 1/14/2026
Bruce Westerman

Bruce Westerman

Republican Representative

Arkansas

Cosponsors (9)
John R. Carter (Republican)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Ann Wagner (Republican)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)David G. Valadao (Republican)James C. Moylan (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation grants courts the authority to impose sentences below statutory minimums for individuals defined as "youthful victim offenders," allowing judges to consider the profound impact of trauma on an offender's conduct. Courts are also empowered to suspend any portion of an imposed sentence for these specific minors. A "youthful victim offender" is precisely defined as an individual under the age of 18 who has been convicted of a violent offense against a person who, within the preceding year, committed certain severe offenses against them, such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, or sexual assault. These new sentencing provisions will apply to convictions entered on or after the Act's enactment date. The bill further directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure consistency with these changes for youthful victim offenders.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2858
Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4724
Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2023
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2858
    Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4724
    Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2023


  • January 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7081| House 
| Updated: 1/14/2026
This legislation grants courts the authority to impose sentences below statutory minimums for individuals defined as "youthful victim offenders," allowing judges to consider the profound impact of trauma on an offender's conduct. Courts are also empowered to suspend any portion of an imposed sentence for these specific minors. A "youthful victim offender" is precisely defined as an individual under the age of 18 who has been convicted of a violent offense against a person who, within the preceding year, committed certain severe offenses against them, such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, or sexual assault. These new sentencing provisions will apply to convictions entered on or after the Act's enactment date. The bill further directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure consistency with these changes for youthful victim offenders.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2858
Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4724
Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2023
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2858
    Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4724
    Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2023


  • January 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Bruce Westerman

Bruce Westerman

Republican Representative

Arkansas

Cosponsors (9)
John R. Carter (Republican)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Ann Wagner (Republican)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)David G. Valadao (Republican)James C. Moylan (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted