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H.R. 8589119th CongressIn committeeLatest action Apr 29, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: To amend title 11 of the United States Code to address misuse of bankruptcy proceedings in cases of child sex abuse, and for other purposes.
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
This bill limits how organizations, including churches, can use bankruptcy to avoid paying child sexual abuse survivors.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
This bill changes federal bankruptcy law to make it harder for people and organizations to use bankruptcy to get out of paying for child sexual abuse. Courts could no longer seal financial records or abuse evidence in these cases, except to protect victim identities. Survivors could also file claims in bankruptcy court even if their state's lawsuit deadline has passed.
The bill affects any individual or organization, including nonprofits and churches, that faces child sexual abuse claims and files for bankruptcy. It also directly affects survivors, giving them new rights in bankruptcy court including the right to submit victim impact statements.
Without these changes, organizations can use bankruptcy proceedings to limit or avoid financial responsibility for child sexual abuse. The bill also means that debts tied to abuse cannot be erased through bankruptcy if the debtor directly committed the abuse or was grossly negligent.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.