WESTERMAN, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE JUVENILE SENTENCING REFORM LEGISLATION

Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04) and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) introduced the Sara's Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026. This bill gives federal judges more discretion when sentencing juveniles and will allow for children, who have been the victims of abuse, to have a second chance to succeed. The lawmakers issued the following statements:

"It is unjust to sentence juvenile victims of sexual violence to life in prison for acts of self defense, and as a country, we have a moral obligation not to turn our backs on children at the moment they need protection most," said Congressman Westerman. "The United States is a nation of second chances, and that is what we owe these children who have been on the receiving end of some of the most heinously criminal acts imagined. I am proud to introduce the Sara's Law and Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026, which ensures that our justice system does not mandate minimum sentencing for youthful offenders who have committed violent crimes against their abusers after being trafficked, abused, or sexually assaulted. This bill will allow these children to recover from unimaginable trauma, rebuild their lives, and ultimately grow into upstanding members of our communities."

"Sentencing should be based on the full context of a crime, especially if the defendants are youth victims of abuse," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "Historically, mandatory minimum sentences have increased incarceration and resulted in disproportionately harsher sentences for Black people and people of color without reducing crime. I'm proud to co-lead Sara's Law, which would exempt minors who have experienced abuse from mandatory minimums and enable judges to consider the full picture when sentencing."

"The most vulnerable and overlooked victims of child trafficking and sexual abuse are those who end up in our criminal justice system," said James Dold, CEO and Founder of Human Rights for Kids. "Recent research has shown that almost one in ten children prosecuted as adults commit their offense alongside a co-defendant or against a victim who previously raped, abused, or trafficked them. Congressman Westerman is fighting for these forgotten child victims who deserve our compassion, understanding, and mercy. We are proud to stand alongside him in this fight."

Background:

This bill provides that juveniles found guilty of crimes against those who sexually trafficked, abused, or assaulted them shall not be required to serve the mandatory minimum sentence otherwise associated with the crime.

This bill also allows judges to consider "the diminished culpability of juveniles compared to that of adults" when sentencing those who committed crimes as juveniles and allows federal judges to depart from mandatory minimum sentences by up to 35 percent if deemed appropriate based on the juvenile's age and prospects for rehabilitation. The presiding judge may also suspend any portion of an otherwise applicable sentence if the circumstances so warrant.

Additionally, it prohibits federal judges from sentencing juveniles to life in prison without parole and brings federal law into compliance with the 2012 Supreme Court decision Miller v. Alabama. Juveniles sentenced to life in prison would be guaranteed a parole hearing after serving 20 years.