Eric’s Law

Senate Bill

S. 718

119th Congress

Eric’s Law

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 25, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Ted Cruz

Senator

Republican

TX

Cosponsors

1

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 death penalty cannot be imposed.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the 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 death penalty cannot be imposed.

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 hearing
Prohibits death penalty if second jury also deadlocks
Named after a victim of violent crime
Modifies federal capital sentencing process

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 new juries. This Senate companion to H.R. 1556 changes the system where hung juries typically result in life sentences.

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

718, 119th Congress (2025). "Eric’s Law". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-718