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H.R. 5578: Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

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H.R. 5578: Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

114th Congress · introduced 2016-06-24 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 114-236.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2016-06-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Walters, Mimi [R-CA-45] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 479 (2016): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, HR5578 (2016-09-06), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 114-236. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

Plain summary

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016 This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish statutory rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to: (1) not be prevented from receiving a forensic medical examination and not be charged for an examination; (2) have a sexual assault evidence collection kit (i.e., a rape kit) preserved for 20 years or the maximum applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter; (3) receive written notification prior to destruction or disposal of a rape kit; and (4) be informed of these rights and policies. Additionally, it makes statutory crime victims' rights applicable to sexual assault survivors. The term "sexual assault" means any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by federal, state, or tribal law, including when a victim lacks capacity to consent. Funds made available to the Crime Victims Fund under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 must be used to carry out the requirements concerning these rights, subject to specified exceptions. The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to make grants to states to develop sexual assault survivors' rights and policies and to disseminate written notice of such rights and policies to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state entities. DOJ must establish a working group to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Walters, Mimi [R-CA-45] · 40 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 5578, Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 (2016-07-27)

Cosponsors on this site

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), William R. Keating (D-MA), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Hakeem S. Jeffries (D-NY), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-hr5578 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114