A substantive revision, v2 modifies the conditions for issuing and terminating natural lifetime injunctions. It now requires victim consent for government-initiated motions and expands the grounds for victims to seek termination. The definition of "covered offense" was clarified to specify federal felonies and adjusted the list of included offenses, removing four sections and adding one.
Kayleigh’s Law Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 14, 2026
Bottom line
This bill establishes a new federal mandate for lifetime no-contact orders for victims of serious federal felonies, aiming to enhance victim protection.
What it actually does
H.R. 8481, known as "Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026," amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to mandate that federal courts issue "natural lifetime injunctions" at the time of sentencing for defendants convicted of certain violent or sexual felony offenses. These orders prohibit any direct or indirect contact between the convicted defendant and the victim for the defendant's lifetime, unless terminated or suspended under specific conditions, such as a victim's motion or the overturning of the conviction.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill provides essential, long-term protection for victims of severe crimes, ensuring they are not subjected to further harassment or intimidation by their perpetrators. They contend that existing protective orders may not offer sufficient duration or scope, and a lifetime injunction provides peace of mind and safety for victims, particularly in cases of violent or sexual offenses.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that such broad, lifetime injunctions could raise due process concerns, particularly regarding the expansive definition of "contact" and the potential for unintended consequences or overreach. They might also question the practical enforceability of such orders over a lifetime and across jurisdictions, and whether existing state laws and federal sentencing guidelines already provide adequate victim protection mechanisms.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2(a), adding new 18 U.S.C. § 3773(a)
Establishment of Natural Lifetime Injunctions
This provision mandates that federal courts, upon conviction of a "covered offense," must issue an order prohibiting contact between the defendant and the victim. This order remains in effect for the defendant's entire life and is issued at sentencing. Violating the order is punishable as contempt of court, ensuring a strong legal deterrent against further interaction.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this provision offers victims unparalleled, permanent protection, addressing concerns that temporary orders may expire, leaving victims vulnerable. It provides a clear legal tool to prevent further harm or harassment, offering lasting peace of mind.
Critics contend
Opponents might argue that a lifetime injunction is an extreme measure that could be overly broad, potentially leading to unintended complications in enforcement or due process challenges, especially if circumstances change significantly over decades.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances victim safety and peace of mind against the potential for overly broad restrictions on defendants and the practical challenges of enforcing a lifetime order across various contexts.
Section 2(a), adding new 18 U.S.C. § 3773(b)
Termination and Suspension of Injunctions
This section outlines the limited circumstances under which a lifetime injunction can be terminated or suspended. A victim can move for termination or suspension if the conviction was pardoned/commuted or due to a change in circumstances. A defendant can only move for termination if the conviction was dismissed or overturned on appeal. The court must hold a hearing on such motions, ensuring judicial oversight.
Section 2(a), adding new 18 U.S.C. § 3773(d)
Definition of "Covered Offense" and "Contact"
This section defines the types of crimes that trigger a lifetime injunction. A "covered offense" includes any federal felony crime of violence (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 16(a)) or any federal felony offense involving a sexual act or conduct (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2246). It also explicitly lists 16 specific federal felony sections, primarily related to sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. "Contact" is broadly defined as any direct or indirect communication, transmission, or physical interaction, including written, oral, electronic, digital, or physical means, whether personal, through an intermediary, or via automated systems.
The bill defines "contact" extremely broadly to include any direct or indirect communication, transmission, or physical interaction between two or more persons, encompassing written, oral, electronic, digital, or physical means, whether initiated personally, through an intermediary, or by automated or technological systems.
Section 2(a), adding new 18 U.S.C. § 3773(d)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for definitions, but its breadth is critical to the bill's practical effect and could have substantial implications for enforcement and potential violations.
Case for: Supporters argue this broad definition is necessary to prevent perpetrators from circumventing the injunction through various modern communication methods, ensuring true no-contact protection for victims in the digital age.
Case against: Critics might argue that such a broad definition could lead to accidental violations or make enforcement overly complex, potentially criminalizing innocuous or indirect interactions that do not pose a direct threat, raising due process concerns.
Estimated impact: Significantly expands the scope of prohibited actions under the injunction, making it harder for defendants to claim ignorance of prohibited contact and increasing the investigative burden on law enforcement.
The bill explicitly lists 16 specific federal code sections that constitute a "covered offense," in addition to the general definitions of felony crimes of violence or sexual acts. These enumerated sections primarily relate to child exploitation, sexual abuse, and human trafficking offenses (e.g., 1591, 2241-2245, 2251-2252A, 2260, 2261A, 2421-2423, 2425).
Section 2(a), adding new 18 U.S.C. § 3773(d)(1)(B)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for clarity and precision, ensuring specific high-priority offenses are unequivocally covered by the new lifetime injunctions, leaving no room for ambiguity in their application.
Case for: Proponents argue that explicitly listing these sections ensures that the most egregious and sensitive crimes, particularly those involving sexual abuse and exploitation, are unequivocally covered by lifetime injunctions, providing maximum protection for their victims.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against explicit enumeration of serious crimes, though some might argue that relying solely on the general definitions of 'crime of violence' and 'sexual act' would be sufficient and less cumbersome for statutory interpretation.
Estimated impact: Clarifies and reinforces the application of lifetime injunctions to a critical subset of severe federal crimes, ensuring consistent judicial application for these specific offenses.