This legislation amends Title 28 of the United States Code to establish a terrorism exception to the jurisdictional immunity of international organizations. Its primary purpose is to allow U.S. courts to hear cases seeking money damages against international organizations for personal injury or death resulting from specific acts of terrorism. Specifically, an international organization will not be immune if the injury or death was caused by acts such as torture , extrajudicial killing , aircraft sabotage , hostage taking , or the provision of material support or resources for such acts. This exception applies when an official, employee, or agent of the organization commits these acts within the scope of their duties. Furthermore, a claim can proceed if the international organization conspired with, materially supported, or aided a designated foreign terrorist organization. For a claim to be heard, either the claimant or victim must have been a U.S. national, a member of the armed forces, or a U.S. government employee/contractor at the time of the act, or the international organization must have a substantial presence in the United States. Actions under this new provision must be initiated within 20 years from when the cause of action arose.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Law
LIABLE Act
USA119th CongressS-1487| Senate
| Updated: 4/10/2025
This legislation amends Title 28 of the United States Code to establish a terrorism exception to the jurisdictional immunity of international organizations. Its primary purpose is to allow U.S. courts to hear cases seeking money damages against international organizations for personal injury or death resulting from specific acts of terrorism. Specifically, an international organization will not be immune if the injury or death was caused by acts such as torture , extrajudicial killing , aircraft sabotage , hostage taking , or the provision of material support or resources for such acts. This exception applies when an official, employee, or agent of the organization commits these acts within the scope of their duties. Furthermore, a claim can proceed if the international organization conspired with, materially supported, or aided a designated foreign terrorist organization. For a claim to be heard, either the claimant or victim must have been a U.S. national, a member of the armed forces, or a U.S. government employee/contractor at the time of the act, or the international organization must have a substantial presence in the United States. Actions under this new provision must be initiated within 20 years from when the cause of action arose.