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House of Representatives

Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026

2026-08-31 Issue 137 Showing 1–4 of 4

Official Congressional Record ↗

Laurel M. Lee

Republican

“I want to pass this bill. This bill will change the law. The law will give some people a lifetime injunction.”

Laurel M. Lee

Republican

“I want this bill to pass. This bill will change the law. The law will give some people a lifetime protection order. A woman asked for this change. Some states changed their laws. Now I want the Federal government to change its law too. Victims should not have to go to court many times to keep a protective order. Protective orders should last for life. Victims deserve lasting protection. This bill is for victims and public safety.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8481, the Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026, is about ensuring that victims of some of the most serious crimes do not have to live with the constant fear that their offender may one day contact them again. Even when a criminal is sentenced to lifetime probation, opportunities may still exist for an offender's supervision to be terminated, preventing offenders from being fully accountable to both their victims and society. This was all brought into focus by one brave survivor-advocate and Arizona native, Kayleigh Kozak. After learning that her abuser was attempting to terminate his probation, Kayleigh sought a protective order against the man who abused her as a child. However, she was shocked to learn that the court required evidence of a recent encounter between Kayleigh and this man to consider a protective order, effectively denying her request to keep herself safe and free from future contact. Thanks in large part to Kayleigh's advocacy, the Arizona Legislature changed State law to provide for lifetime protection orders. Wisconsin soon followed. Other States, including Texas and Virginia, also provide certain forms of long-term or lifetime protective orders. When the Judiciary Committee held our hearing on this legislation in April, we were honored to hear from Kayleigh herself as she shared her experience and her path toward advocacy. We are equally honored that she joins us today in the gallery of the House of Representatives. This legislation applies the same principles enacted at the State level to Federal offenders and their victims. Victims should not have to return to court repeatedly to face their offenders simply to extend a protective order. They should not have to wait until their offender attempts to contact them before they can petition the court for lifetime protection. Restraining orders or protective orders often last for only a limited period of time, retraumatizing victims who must once again go through the court system to seek ongoing protection. The possibility of future contact can undermine a survivor's sense of safety and make it harder to move forward. This bill provides a straightforward and commonsense solution by authorizing lifetime no-contact orders for offenders convicted of serious Federal violent, sexual, trafficking, and child exploitation offenses. Under this legislation, offenders may be permanently barred from contacting their victims unless the conviction is later invalidated or pardoned. The bill is rooted in a simple principle: Victims deserve lasting protection, and offenders who have committed these heinous acts should not have the ability to reinsert themselves into the lives of those they have harmed. Ultimately, this bill is victim-centered and prioritizes public safety. Kayleigh's Law Act helps ensure that our criminal justice system works for victims and not against them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Abraham J. Hamadeh

Republican 4:50 p.m.

“I want this bill to pass. It will help victims of sexual violence. The government should protect victims. Victims should not have to see their abusers again. I made a promise to a person. I am keeping that promise. This bill will help people. I want my colleagues to vote for it.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a former prosecutor and as an Arizonan who has seen what happens when the system prioritizes the criminal over the victim. Kayleigh Kozak was 12 years old when a trusted teacher and soccer coach began to abuse her. Years later, as an adult and a mother, she was forced back into court to face him again. In 2020, 13 years after his conviction, he asked a judge to end his so-called lifetime probation. Kayleigh was given just 3 weeks' notice. She had to stand in the courtroom and plead for protection that should never have been in doubt. Two times as an adult, she was hauled back to look at the man who destroyed her childhood just to keep him away. No victim should ever have to do that. I want to thank Kayleigh, who is here today with her family, for being here. I promised Kayleigh that when I made it to Congress I would introduce this bill in her honor. Nothing makes me happier than making good on that promise. Kayleigh turned what happened to her into protection for thousands of other victims. Arizona is proud of Kayleigh, and I am proud of her. We have three of her children here on the floor, as well. Kayleigh's Law started in Arizona. It works. In its first year alone, more than 1,000 survivors in our State secured lifetime protection from the criminals who hurt them. Kayleigh's Law would give every American victim of a Federal sex crime or violent felony that same shield. This bill is simple. When a predator is convicted, Federal courts must issue a lifelong no-contact injunction. Victims should never again be forced to fill out another form, face their abuser across a courtroom, or spend their lives looking over their shoulder simply because a sentence ended and the system decided its job was done. Healing cannot begin if the abuser can show up again the day after release. Justice is not complete if the victim still lives in fear. Arizona already closed that gap. It is time the Federal Government did the same so no American, no matter which State they live in, is left unprotected after a Federal conviction. I have sat across from victims. I know how vulnerable they are, and sadly, how determined their predators can be. No survivor should be victimized twice, first by the criminal who harmed them and then by a system that forced them to fight again and again. Now Kayleigh travels the country ensuring Kayleigh's Law is passed in every State legislature. It is time we guarantee that same protection to victims of Federal crimes across America. I thank Chairman Biggs for spearheading Kayleigh's Law through the Judiciary Committee, and I also thank Senator Mike Lee for introducing this bill in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. We protect victims. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8481.

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Laurel M. Lee

Republican 4:50 p.m.

“I want this bill to pass. It will help victims of sexual violence. I am happy that we worked together on this. The government should protect victims. Victims should not have to see their abusers again. I want my colleagues to vote for it. I thank the people who helped us write this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, I thank a few of the individuals who helped us get to this place with this bipartisan bill--first, specifically, Right On Crime, who worked with us to develop a bill and make sure that we were capturing important concepts. Second, I thank the ranking member and the Democrats on the committee who worked closely with us to edit, revise, and improve the bill and added important provisions. Because of our collective work together, we took a good bill, and we made it even better. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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