Federal trafficking survivors can now clear records of forced crimes
Signed into lawH.R. 4323Latest action
Sponsor: Russell Fry · Representative · SC
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Official title: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 4323 lets trafficking survivors petition federal courts to erase records of crimes committed under trafficker control, at no filing cost.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 4323 allows trafficking survivors to petition a federal court to vacate convictions and erase arrest records for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked. Non-violent convictions can be fully dismissed, and arrest records from dropped or acquitted violent charges can also be cleared. Filings are confidential and carry no fees.
Who does it affect?
The law primarily affects trafficking survivors with federal criminal records for acts they were forced to commit while being exploited. It also affects federal prosecutors, who must respond to these motions and complete training on identifying trafficking situations.
Why does it matter?
Survivors who previously had no legal mechanism to distinguish forced criminal acts from voluntary ones now have a formal court pathway. Failure to use the new affirmative defense cannot be used to deny survivors access to federal assistance programs.
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This is law.
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 10, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law
Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-73.