S. 718 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 25, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryChanges rules for death penalty sentencing
This bill changes how courts handle cases where a jury can't unanimously agree on a death sentence. If a jury in a capital case doesn't reach unanimous agreement and the government's attorney asks for another chance, the court must hold a new sentencing hearing with a new jury. But if that second jury also fails to reach unanimity, the court cannot impose a death sentence.
How it affects you
This primarily affects how the criminal justice system handles the most serious cases. If you're involved in a capital case—as a defendant, family member, or someone in the legal system—this changes what happens when juries can't agree on whether someone should receive a death sentence.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 25, 2025)
Eric's Law
This bill modifies procedures with respect to capital sentencing hearings.
If a jury at a capital sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence and there is a motion by the attorney for the government, the court must order a new special sentencing hearing and impanel a new jury. If the new jury at the special sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence, then the court is prohibited from imposing a death sentence.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 718
A BILL
Eric’s Law
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) · Introduced Feb 25, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 25, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”