Homicide Victims’ Rights Bill Passes House

The House of Representatives passed the Homicide Victims’ Families’ Rights Act (H.R. 3359) this week with a vote of 406-20. The bill now goes to the Senate next for consideration.

Since 1980, more than 250,000 murders in the U.S. have not been prosecuted. If enacted, the bill would allow immediate family members of victims of murder under federal law to request a review of a cold case that occurred on or after January 1, 1970, with the potential to reopen investigations. Families would have to wait three years after federal law enforcement have closed a case to request a review.

With the support of federal law enforcement stakeholders, Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) reintroduced the legislation to ensure families of homicide victims have a pathway to closure. The Congressmen expect implementing a process of review as part of this legislation could assist in effectively prosecuting perpetrators.

“As a former prosecutor, I saw first-hand the unimaginable tragedy of losing a loved one to homicide. Accountability is crucial to begin the healing process and to get justice, and when families miss out on that opportunity, it is a massive failure of our systems," stated Rep. Swalwell, "We must do more to give those families—who have already been through so much—the closure they deserve.”

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) endorsed the legislation late last year but acknowledged appropriate funding and resources would be necessary to ensure the work can be done successfully.

"As technologies have improved, the chance of getting to that resolution of a crime has also dramatically improved," stated FLEOA National President Larry Cosme, "Agencies with these types of cases should endeavor to use every modern means available to review these cases and if possible, bring the new technologies and science to bear to try to solve them."

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