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Schumer Proposes Bill to End Federal Statute of Limitations for Sex Abuse and Trafficking Crimes
The proposed legislation aims to remove legal time limits that have prevented some cases from being prosecuted.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced new federal legislation in Buffalo that would eliminate the statute of limitations for certain sex abuse and human trafficking crimes. The measure, known as Virginia's Law, is named after an alleged victim connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Schumer said the change would allow survivors to come forward when they are ready and pursue justice in federal court.
Why it matters
Current federal statutes of limitations have allowed some offenders to avoid prosecution if charges are not filed within a set period of time. Eliminating the statute of limitations could help ensure that survivors of sex abuse and trafficking crimes have more time to come forward and seek justice, regardless of when the crimes occurred.
The details
Schumer will be joined by survivors and advocates at the BRAVE Trauma Recovery Center in Buffalo to announce the proposed legislation. The measure is intended to remove legal time limits that have prevented some cases from being prosecuted at the federal level.
- Schumer announced the proposed legislation on February 16, 2026.
The players
Chuck Schumer
A U.S. Senator from New York who is proposing the legislation to eliminate the federal statute of limitations for sex abuse and trafficking crimes.
Virginia
An alleged victim connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case, for whom the proposed legislation is named.
What they’re saying
“Current federal statutes of limitations have allowed offenders to avoid prosecution if charges are not filed within a set period of time.”
— Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator (wgrz.com)
What’s next
The proposed legislation, known as Virginia's Law, will now need to go through the legislative process in Congress.
The takeaway
This proposed legislation aims to give survivors of sex abuse and trafficking crimes more time to come forward and seek justice, regardless of when the crimes occurred, by eliminating the federal statute of limitations for these types of crimes.
