What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Justice for Exonerees Act This bill increases the maximum amount of damages that an individual who was unjustly convicted and incarcerated may be awarded and requires that this amount be adjusted annually for inflation.
Action Timeline
2025-09-19
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-09-19
Introduced in House
2025-09-19
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.5540 pass?
HR.5540 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.5540 do?
Justice for Exonerees Act This bill increases the maximum amount of damages that an individual who was unjustly convicted and incarcerated may be awarded and requires that this amount be adjusted annually for inflation.
Who sponsored HR.5540?
HR.5540 was sponsored by Maxine Waters (D-California).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 5540 IH: Justice for Exonerees Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5540 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 19, 2025 Ms. Waters introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 28, United States Code, to adjust the penalty for unjust conviction and imprisonment, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Justice for Exonerees Act . 2. Penalty for unjust conviction and imprisonment Section 2513 of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (e), by striking $50,000 and inserting $70,000 ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (f) The amount of damages awarded under subsection (e) shall be adjusted for inflation annually, based on the Consumer Price Index. .
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