WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4323 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-73

Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

Became lawCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedJul 10, 2025
Passed HouseDec 1, 2025
Passed SenateDec 18, 2025
To PresidentJan 12, 2026
Became lawJan 23, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4323 changed 1 section of existing law, and created 5 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

22 U.S.C. 7102 Definitions

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Federal expungement for victims of trafficking
  • Sec. 3 Reports
  • Sec. 4 Use of grants for post-conviction relief representation
  • Sec. 6 Human trafficking defense
  • Sec. 8 Rule of construction
What the words changed: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 22 U.S.C. 7102(16)changedby H.R. 4323 Sec. 7(1)

    (16) Victim of a severe form of trafficking. The term "victim of a severe form of trafficking" means a person subject to an act or practice described in paragraph (9)(11) 2.

    The bill says: in paragraph (16), by striking "(9)" and inserting "(11)"; and

    Bill text · Current law (22 U.S.C. 7102)

  2. 22 U.S.C. 7102(17)changedby H.R. 4323 Sec. 7(2)

    (17) Victim of trafficking. The term "victim of trafficking" means a person subjected to an act or practice described in paragraph (9) or (10)(11) or (12) 2.

    The bill says: in paragraph (17), by striking "(9) or (10)" and inserting "(11) or (12)".

    Bill text · Current law (22 U.S.C. 7102)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

This act establishes a process to vacate convictions and expunge arrest records for certain criminal offenses committed by victims of human trafficking that directly result from or relate to having been a trafficking victim.

It defines the offenses eligible to be vacated or expunged and sets forth procedures for filing a motion.

The Government Accountability Office must assess the impact of this process, including the number of human trafficking survivors who file motions to vacate convictions or expunge records.

Under the act, U.S. Attorneys' Offices must report to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the number of motions to vacate convictions or expunge arrest records that are filed. Additionally, the DOJ must report to Congress on professional training received by U.S. Attorneys on indicators of human trafficking during the preceding 12-month period.

The act permits certain grants for legal representation to be used to seek post-conviction relief.

Finally, the act allows a defendant to establish, as a defense, that the offenses were committed under duress by demonstrating that he or she was a victim of human trafficking at the time of the offense.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Jan 23, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-01-23Became Public Law No: 119-73.Library of Congress
  2. 2026-01-23Signed by President.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-01-12Presented to President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-12-18Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-12-01Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)Library of Congress
  6. 2025-10-17Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-347.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-07-10Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 24 recorded actions

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-73 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Earl L. "Buddy" Carter R-GA-1
  • Debbie Dingell D-MI-6
  • Jesús G. "Chuy" García D-IL-4
  • Mark Harris R-NC-8
  • Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA-4
  • Thomas H. Kean, Jr. R-NJ-7
  • Kevin Kiley I-CA-3
  • Greg Landsman D-OH-1
  • Ted Lieu D-CA-36
  • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large
  • Max L. Miller R-OH-7
  • Burgess Owens R-UT-4
  • John H. Rutherford R-FL-5
  • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
  • Keith Self R-TX-3
  • Christopher H. Smith R-NJ-4
  • Mike Thompson D-CA-4
  • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
  • Ann Wagner R-MO-2