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HR 865 109th Congress House International Affairs Appellate procedure Armed Forces and National Security Bombings Civil actions and liability Claims Compensation for victims of crime Crime and Law Enforcement Damages Finance and Financial Sector Foreign agents Foreign leaders Government Operations and Politics Government liability (International law) Iran Jurisdiction Law Lebanon Liens Marines

To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 16, 2005 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 4, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Apr 4, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
Feb 16, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 16, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (FSIA) to require that a foreign state designated as a state sponsor of terrorism under specified laws, or an official, employee, or agent of such a foreign state, shall be liable to a U.S. national for the national's personal injury or death caused by acts of that state or official, employee, or agent acting within the scope of his or her duties.

Provides that the removal of a foreign state from designation as a state sponsor of terrorism shall not terminate such a cause of action arising during the period of designation.

Authorizes U.S. courts to exercise jurisdiction over such actions for money damages under an FSIA provision concerning acts of torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, and material support for such acts. Mandates that property interests of foreign states, or agencies or instrumentalities of foreign states, against which judgment is entered pursuant to such provision are subject to attachment execution.

Requires foreign states to be held vicariously liable for the actions of their officials, employees, or agents.

Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VCA) to modify the definition of "victim" for purposes of compensation under that Act. Requires the transfer of VCA funds to carry out an order appointing Special Masters in the matter of Peterson, et al. v. The Islamic Republic of Iran.

Revives previously dismissed causes of action that would be cognizable under this Act by retroactively tolling the applicable statute of limitations from the date of initial filing to 60 days after enactment of this Act.

What's happening now April 4, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 865: To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes.. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-865/
MLA
"H.R. 865: To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes.." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-865/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 865, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-865/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 865: To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-865/)
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