The Republican-led House delivered a unanimous victory Monday, passing Kayleigh’s Law to strengthen lifelong protections for serious federal crime victims.
The House approved H.R. 8481 by voice vote under suspension, sending the bipartisan measure toward the Senate.
Arizona Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh introduced the legislation after promising survivor advocate Kayleigh Kozak he would champion her cause.
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The bill covers defendants convicted of violent felonies or felony offenses involving sexual acts or sexual conduct under federal law.
At sentencing, courts must issue permanent no-contact orders when requested by victims or prosecutors acting with the victim’s consent.
Those injunctions prohibit direct or indirect contact through written, oral, electronic, digital, or physical means for the offender’s lifetime.
The protection continues after prison, probation, or supervised release ends, closing a gap supporters say repeatedly retraumatizes survivors.
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Hamadeh described the proposal as “a common-sense type of bill” focused on prioritizing victims over convicted criminals.
Kayleigh’s Law is named for Kozak, an Arizona mother of five who was sexually abused as a child.
Kozak was 12 when former teacher and soccer coach Joshua Jacobsen sexually abused her, according to Arizona reporting.
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Jacobsen pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and luring a minor for sexual exploitation, receiving jail time and lifetime probation.
Nearly two decades later, Jacobsen sought to end probation, forcing Kozak back into court to oppose his request.
She told the court, “I am living proof that he is capable of sexually harming children.” ([Fox News][1])
A Maricopa County judge rejected Jacobsen’s request in June after reviewing probation violations involving unauthorized contact with children.
For Hamadeh, that courtroom ordeal exposed a system placing unnecessary burdens on people already victimized by serious crimes.
“Justice is not complete if the victim still lives in fear,” Hamadeh said after House passage.
The Arizona Republican argues survivors should not repeatedly return to court simply to preserve basic separation from convicted offenders.
The lifetime restriction applies only after conviction, not while defendants remain merely accused of qualifying offenses.
The House Judiciary Committee previously advanced H.R. 8481 unanimously, reporting the amended legislation by a 23-0 vote in June.
The full House passed the bill August 31 without recorded opposition, demonstrating unusually broad bipartisan agreement on victim protection.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., helped advance the measure through Judiciary and received public credit from Hamadeh after passage.
Supporters say Arizona provides evidence the concept can deliver tangible protection beyond political rhetoric.
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Hamadeh’s office says more than 1,000 Arizona survivors secured lifetime protection during the state law’s first year.
Wisconsin has also enacted a version of Kayleigh’s Law, giving the federal proposal additional state-level precedent.
“The harm caused by sexual assault is not temporary,” Kozak said while supporting the federal legislation.
During his congressional campaign, Hamadeh promised Kozak outside an In-N-Out Burger that he would pursue the legislation.
Kozak and her children were present at the Capitol when lawmakers approved the House bill Monday.
Hamadeh called the House passage “promise made, promise kept” after Kozak watched lawmakers approve the measure.
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The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee introduced a companion version August 12.
Lee says victims should not face recurring court appearances or unwanted contact from convicted abusers after surviving serious trauma.
“They fear for their safety, and they deserve better protection,” Lee said while announcing his Senate legislation.
The Senate version likewise requires permanent no-contact orders at victims’ request for qualifying convictions involving violence or sexual offenses.
That legislation has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, making committee action the next major hurdle.
Hamadeh believes senators should move quickly and give the measure the same bipartisan treatment received in the House.
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It passed unanimously in the House, and Hamadeh argues the Senate should now demonstrate the same unity.
Hamadeh hopes Congress can send Kayleigh’s Law to President Donald Trump for his signature before November.
For conservatives, the measure represents accountability-focused reform that strengthens legal boundaries protecting victims long after criminal sentences end.
Its central principle is simple: conviction may conclude prosecution, but a survivor’s right to safety should not expire.
With unanimous House passage secured, the Senate now decides whether that permanent shield becomes federal law nationwide.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
