Summary#
This bill amends the Epstein Files Transparency Act by creating a private legal right for people harmed by the release of certain victim information. It defines a "violation" as failing to withhold or redact a victim's personally identifiable information, personal or medical files, or similar files when releasing documents under that Act. A person aggrieved by such a violation may sue the United States if the disclosure was made by a federal officer, employee, or agent. The court must award, for each discrete instance of a violation, the greater of $50,000 or compensatory damages (including pain and suffering and emotional distress), plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Courts may also award injunctive or declaratory relief and may grant preliminary injunctive relief. The United States waives sovereign immunity for these actions. A lawsuit must be filed within 5 years after the person first gets actual notice of the violation, or, for violations discovered before this amendment takes effect, within 5 years after the date of enactment. The amendment applies to violations occurring on or after November 19, 2025.
What it means for you#
- If a federal official or agent releases covered victim information under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the exposed person can bring a civil lawsuit against the United States.
- Each separate disclosure that breaks the rule counts as an individual "instance" and can lead to its own damages award.
- Successful plaintiffs can receive at least $50,000 per instance or more if actual compensatory damages are higher, plus attorney's fees and costs.
- Courts can also order actions to stop or limit future disclosures.
- The rule applies to disclosures on or after November 19, 2025, and there is a 5-year deadline for filing after a person learns of a violation (with a transition rule for earlier notices).
Expenses#
- The bill requires payment of damages: for each instance, the greater of $50,000 or compensatory damages (including pain and suffering and emotional distress). It also requires payment of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs for prevailing plaintiffs.
- The bill allows courts to order injunctive or declaratory relief, which could have further costs or administrative effects.
- No publicly available information on overall budgetary estimates, total projected costs, or federal fiscal impact is included in the bill text.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.