People hurt by trafficking can erase their court records.

What it does

This law lets people hurt by trafficking ask federal courts to erase their records. It covers records for crimes they did because they were trafficked. Judges can also shorten prison time for people hurt by trafficking who are in jail. The law says trafficking can be a legal defense in federal cases. Courts must listen to evidence from helpers and doctors who work with trafficked people. The law requires courts to report on trafficking and train staff to spot signs of trafficking.

Who it affects

People hurt by trafficking can clear their records. This helps them get jobs and housing. Federal courts will handle these cases.

One thing to notice

This law only covers federal records. People with state-level records cannot use this law.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

19 cosponsors: 10 Republicans, 8 Democrats, 1 Independents.

• Jul 10, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jul 10, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary”
• Sep 10, 2025 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Sep 10, 2025 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote”
• Dec 1, 2025 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4919-4921)”
• Dec 1, 2025 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Fry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended”
• Dec 18, 2025 — Passed both chambers · Congress.gov: “Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894)”
• Jan 12, 2026 — Sent to president · Congress.gov: “Presented to President”
• Jan 23, 2026 — Signed into law · Congress.gov: “Became Public Law No: 119-73”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

3 groups reported lobbying about this bill. They filed 3 reports from Dec 2025 to Jun 2026.

Those reports show $18,300,000 in lobbying spending. Each report lists about 14 bills. So that money was not all for this bill.

More groups named this bill than 61% of bills with any report.

Russell Fry, who sponsored the bill, received $806,499 from PACs for the 2026 election.

• Chamber of Commerce of the U.S.A. — $17,960,000 in 1 report
• National Marine Manufacturers Association — $340,000 in 1 report
• Tides Center — $0 in 1 report

Lobbying is legal. These reports show who lobbied about this bill, not what changed.

Words to know

• trafficking — forcing someone to work or do crimes through force or lies.
• federal courts — courts run by the U.S. government, not by states.
• legal defense — a reason in court that might help someone avoid punishment.
• evidence — facts and proof shown in court to prove something is true.
• lobbying — Trying to influence lawmakers about a bill. Companies and groups pay people to do this.
• PACs — Groups that collect money and give it to candidates for office.