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H.R. 2858 117th Congress House

Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021

Official title: To authorize the court to depart from a statutory minimum in the case of a juvenile offender, youthful victim offender, and certain other minors, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 26, 2021 Introduced by: Bruce Westerman Republican · Arkansas See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory proceduresChild healthChild safety and welfareCorrectional facilities and imprisonment
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime victimsCrimes against childrenCriminal procedure and sentencingDomestic violence and child abuseEvidence and witnessesHealth information and medical recordsHuman traffickingJuvenile crime and gang violenceMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPornographySex offensesSmuggling and traffickingU.S. Sentencing CommissionViolent crime
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Apr 26, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 26, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 19, 2021

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sara's Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021

This bill modifies federal sentencing options for individuals who commit criminal offenses as juveniles.

Specifically, the bill authorizes federal sentencing courts to do the following:

  • impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum for a juvenile who was convicted of a violent offense against a person who engaged in certain conduct (e.g., trafficking, abuse, or assault) against the juvenile,
  • impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum by up to 35% to reflect the juvenile's age and prospect for rehabilitation, and
  • reduce a prison term imposed on a defendant convicted as an adult for an offense committed as a juvenile if the defendant has served at least 20 years in custody and is not a danger to public safety.
 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 5150 Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2021
  • S 3946 Abolish Trafficking Reauthorization Act of 2022
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 1
D
Stanton, Greg
Arizona · Jul 26, 2021
Bass, Karen
· Apr 26, 2021
Cárdenas, Tony
· Apr 26, 2021
Trone, David
· Apr 26, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2858: Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2858/
MLA
"H.R. 2858: Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2858/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2858, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2858/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2858: Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2858/)
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