Overview
- Unveiled on Long Island at The Retreat with survivors and advocates, the bill is named for Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Jeffrey Epstein accuser who became a victims’ rights advocate.
- Current federal law gives adults 10 years to file civil claims and allows those abused as minors to file until 10 years after turning 18, timelines the proposal would abolish.
- Schumer says many victims disclose abuse decades later and cites advocates who report an average disclosure age around 51, pointing to why fixed windows block access to civil justice.
- The legislation is in its early stages as Schumer seeks bipartisan support, including a Republican sponsor in the House, and it would require passage by Congress and President Trump’s signature.
- Supporters say the change could open paths for new lawsuits, including Epstein-related cases, while critics warn that removing deadlines may trigger a surge of historical claims.