HR7364-119

What This Bill Does

Kamisha's Law adds a new federal statute providing no limitations period for several non-capital homicide crimes. Covered offenses include second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, murder or manslaughter of federal officers and officials, murder by escaped prisoners, foreign murder of U.S. nationals, murder by escaped life-sentence prisoners, and killing people aiding federal investigations or corrections officers.

Who Benefits and How

Federal prosecutors and homicide victims' families benefit because older qualifying cases can be charged without dismissal based only on elapsed time. DOJ can pursue covered cases when new witnesses, forensic evidence, or investigative leads emerge years later. Public-safety advocates benefit from longer accountability for serious homicide conduct.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Criminal defendants face longer exposure to federal prosecution for covered non-capital homicide offenses, including cases where evidence is old and defense investigation may be harder. Federal courts, prosecutors, and defense counsel must handle older cases that previously could have been time-barred, which may require additional evidentiary litigation.

Key Provisions

• Establishes no federal limitations period for listed non-capital homicide offenses.
• Expands prosecutorial reach for second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, and multiple federal-officer or witness-related homicide statutes.
• Requires courts and litigants to handle qualifying homicide prosecutions even when many years have passed since the offense.
• Strengthens DOJ's ability to bring covered homicide cases when new evidence emerges after the ordinary limitations window.