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S 2624

Increases the number of judges in certain courts

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

Kamisha's Law removes the federal statute of limitations for listed non-capital homicide offenses, letting indictments be filed at any time and widening federal prosecutions.

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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Bill Summary · S 2624

Summary — S.2624 (Kamisha’s Law)

Status: Introduced in Senate (07/31/2025); read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Sponsors: Sen. Mike Rounds (primary) and Sen. Jessica Scarcella‑Spanton (primary).

Note on source materials: the provided packet contains mixed and partly inconsistent materials (an initial short title referencing judicial staffing and separate Massachusetts regulatory text). This summary is based on the bill text titled “To eliminate the period of limitations for certain non‑capital homicide offenses” (short title: “Kamisha’s Law”) introduced 07/31/2025.

Purpose

To remove the federal statute of limitations for specified non‑capital homicide offenses so that federal prosecutions for those offenses may be commenced at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the offense.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (proposed 18 U.S.C. § 3302) to Chapter 213 of Title 18, U.S. Code.
  • Establishes that “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an indictment may be found or information may be instituted at any time without limitation” for a defined list of non‑capital homicide offenses (see list below).
  • Makes a clerical amendment to the chapter table of sections to add the new § 3302.

Offenses covered (as enumerated in the bill)

Prosecutions are permitted at any time for alleged violations involving:
1. Murder in the second degree under 18 U.S.C. § 1111;
2. Voluntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1112;
3. Attempted manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1113;
4. Murder in the second degree, voluntary manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1114;
5. Murder in the second degree, voluntary manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1116;
6. Murder in the second degree under 18 U.S.C. § 1118;
7. Murder in the second degree, voluntary manslaughter, or attempted manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1119;
8. Murder in the second degree or voluntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1120; and
9. Murder in the second degree or voluntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1121.

(Those section citations reflect the bill’s text; some are context‑specific federal provisions tied to particular circumstances or victims.)

Who would be affected

  • Potential defendants accused of the listed offenses — federal prosecutions could be brought regardless of time elapsed.
  • Federal prosecutors and law enforcement — may reopen or initiate prosecutions for older cases previously barred by a statute of limitations.
  • Victims and victims’ families — may obtain the possibility of federal criminal proceedings long after an offense occurred.
  • Courts — may see increased filings in cold‑case prosecutions and attendant evidentiary and due‑process litigation.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 31, 2025.
  • The provided legislative actions show additional entries (e.g., “House concurred 10/02/2025” and multiple “referred to Judiciary” dates) that appear inconsistent with a typical single‑chamber bill history; confirm current status on Congress.gov or the Senate Judiciary Committee docket for updates.

Considerations and potential implications

  • Removing a limitations period allows prosecution of long‑ago conduct but can raise practical issues (evidence degradation, witness availability) and possible constitutional or statutory challenges (e.g., due process arguments). The bill text does not include limiting language (e.g., retroactivity exceptions), so courts would address such arguments if cases arise.
  • The provision targets non‑capital homicide offenses; capital offenses (for which the federal statute of limitations is already generally inapplicable) are not the bill’s focus.

For a definitive current status and any amendments, consult the official congressional record or the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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