HR 8481

Summary

Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026 This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to require federal courts to issue an order prohibiting contact with a victim (i.e., a no-contact order) in the case of a defendant who is convicted of certain violent crimes or sex crimes. Specifically, in the case of a defendant convicted of a felony offense that is a crime of violence or that involves a sexual act or sexual conduct, on a motion by the victim or federal government, the court must issue a no-contact order. Under the framework, the no-contact order must be imposed at sentencing and be in effect for the lifetime of the defendant unless it is terminated or suspended in accordance with specified procedures. Additionally, no fee may be assessed or collected from a victim in connection with the issuance of a no-contact order.

Bill status

Status

Passed House

Sponsor

Rep. Abraham J. Hamadeh [R-AZ-8]

Cosponsors

21

Policy area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Introduced

2026-04-23

Latest action

2026-09-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Committee referrals

• Judiciary Committee: Senate · Referred To · 2026-09-14
• Judiciary Committee: House · Reported By · 2026-07-06
• Judiciary Committee: House · Markup By · 2026-06-03
• Judiciary Committee: House · Referred To · 2026-04-23

Recent actions

• 2026-09-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-08-31: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-08-31: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5270-5271)
• 2026-08-31: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
• 2026-08-31: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8481.