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HR 7818 116th Congress House Law Cardiovascular and respiratory health Civil actions and liability Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad Emergency medical services and trauma care Foreign property Fraud offenses and financial crimes Government liability Infectious and parasitic diseases Jurisdiction and venue Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status State and local government operations

Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act

Introduced: July 29, 2020 Introduced by: Gooden, Lance Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 29, 2020
Introduced in House
Jul 29, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Civil Justice for Victims of China-Originated Viral Infections Diseases Act or the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act

This bill allows a foreign government to be sued in U.S. district court regarding that government's actions related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak.

A foreign government shall not have sovereign immunity against a lawsuit in the United States seeking money damages for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission of that foreign government (or any official or agent of that government) that caused or substantially contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against that foreign state, a court may stay a pending case brought under this bill against that foreign state.

What's happening now July 29, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 3674 Related bill Civil Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act
  • S 3588 Related bill Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act
  • S 4212 Identical bill Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Banks, Jim
Indiana · Jul 29, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 7818: Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7818/
MLA
"H.R. 7818: Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7818/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 7818, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7818/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 7818: Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7818/)
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