H.R. 1556

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1556 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1556

To amend title 18, United States Code, to require the impaneling of a 
new jury if a jury fails to recommend by unanimous vote a sentence for 
conviction of a crime punishable by death.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 25, 2025

Mr. Bresnahan (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, and Mr. 
Reschenthaler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to require the impaneling of a 
new jury if a jury fails to recommend by unanimous vote a sentence for 
conviction of a crime punishable by death.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as ``Eric's Law''.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT TO IMPANEL A NEW JURY IN CERTAIN CASES.

(a) Additional Ground for Impaneling Jury.--Section 3593(b)(2) of 
title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or'' at the end; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) a new special hearing is required pursuant to 
subsection (g); or''.
(b) Impaneling of New Jury When Jury Does Not Reach a Unanimous 
Recommendation.--Section 3593 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Special Rule When Jury Does Not Return a Unanimous 
Recommendation.--
``(1) In general.--If a jury described in subsection (b)(1) 
or subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2) does not, 
by unanimous vote, make a recommendation whether the defendant 
should be sentenced to death, to life imprisonment without 
possibility of release, or some other lesser sentence pursuant 
to subsection (e), the court, upon motion of the attorney for 
the government, shall order a new special hearing and impanel a 
new jury pursuant to subsection (b).
``(2) Imposition of sentence.--If the jury impaneled 
pursuant to paragraph (1) does not reach a unanimous 
recommendation as to sentence, the court shall impose a 
sentence other than death authorized by law.''.
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