Eric’s Law

House Bill

H.R. 1556

119th Congress

Eric’s Law

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 25, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dan Crenshaw

Representative

Republican

TX-2

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary

This bill modifies federal capital sentencing procedures. If a jury cannot unanimously agree on a death sentence and prosecutors request it, the court must impanel a new jury for a second sentencing hearing. If the second jury also fails to reach unanimity, the court cannot impose the death penalty.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill modifies federal capital sentencing procedures. If a jury cannot unanimously agree on a death sentence and prosecutors request it, the court must impanel a new jury for a second sentencing hearing. If the second jury also fails to reach unanimity, the court cannot impose the death penalty.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Eric's Law This bill modifies procedures with respect to capital sentencing hearings. If a jury at a capital sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence and there is a motion by the attorney for the government, the court must order a new special sentencing hearing and impanel a new jury. If the new jury at the special sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence, then the court is prohibited from imposing a death sentence.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows new jury if first cannot agree on death sentence
Requires government motion for second sentencing hearing
Prohibits death penalty if second jury also deadlocks
Modifies federal capital sentencing procedures
Named after a victim of violent crime

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Prosecutors would have a second chance to seek death sentences when juries deadlock. Defendants who narrowly avoided death sentences could face a new jury. This changes the current system where a hung jury typically results in life imprisonment.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Subjects

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Judicial procedure and administration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1556, 119th Congress (2025). "Eric’s Law". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1556