Civil Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act

Bill: 116-s-3674
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2020-05-11
Policy area: Law
Subjects: 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
Latest action: action_date: 2020-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-05-11
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Civil Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act</b></p> <p>This bill allows lawsuits against a foreign government for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission by the foreign government (or by an official or agent of the foreign government) that caused or substantially aggravated the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3674 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 11, 2020 Mr. Hawley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 28, United States Code, to strip foreign sovereign immunity of certain foreign states to secure justice for victims of novel coronavirus in the United States.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Civil Justice for Victims of Coronavirus Act . 2. Responsibility of foreign states for reckless actions or omissions causing the COVID–19 global pandemic in the United States (a) Responsibility Chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1605B the following: 1605C. Responsibility of foreign states for reckless actions or omissions causing the COVID–19 global pandemic in the United States (a) Responsibility of foreign states A foreign state shall not be immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States in any case in which money damages are sought against a foreign state for physical or economic injury to person, property, or business occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission (including a conscious disregard of the need to report information promptly or deliberately hiding relevant information) of a foreign state, or of any official, employee, or agent of that foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency, that caused or substantially aggravated the COVID–19 global pandemic in the United States, regardless of where the action or omission occurred. (b) Rule of construction A foreign state shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States under subsection (a) on the basis of an omission or act that constitutes mere negligence. (c) Jurisdiction (1) Exclusive jurisdiction The courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction in any action in which a foreign state is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of the United States under subsection (a). (2) Personal jurisdiction The courts of the United States shall have personal jurisdiction, to the maximum extent permissible under the Constitution of the United States, over any defendant in an action described in subsection (a). (3) Additional authority to issue orders In addition to authority already granted by other laws, the courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to make and issue any writ or order of injunction necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of this section, including pre-judgment injunctions related to transfer or disposal of assets. (d) Intervention The Attorney General may intervene in any action in which a foreign state is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of the United States under subsection (a) for the purpose of seeking a stay of the civil action, in whole or in part if the Secretary of State certifies that the United States is engaged in good faith discussions with the foreign state defendant concerning the resolution of the claims against the foreign state, or any other parties as to whom a stay of claims is sought. (e) Duration of stay (1) In general A stay under this section may be granted for not more than 180 days. (2) Extension (A) In general The Attorney General may petition the court for an extension of the stay for additional periods not to exceed 180 days. (B) Recertification A court shall grant an extension under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary of State recertifies that the United States remains engaged in good faith discussions with the foreign state defendant concerning the resolution of the claims against the foreign state, or any other parties as to whom a stay of claims is sought. (f) Dismissal of actions following foreign state agreement (1) Intervention The Attorney General may intervene in any action in which a foreign state is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of the United States under this section for the purpose of seeking the dismissal of the case. (2) Dismissal with prejudice Prior to the entry of judgment, a court of the United States may dismiss with prejudice a proceeding under this section against a foreign state or any official, employee, or agent of the foreign state if the Secretary of State certifies that the United States and the foreign state have entered into an agreement with respect to the resolution of a claim against such a defendant, regardless of whether the plaintiff is a party to such agreement or consents to the dismissal. . (b) Applicability The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any action or omission described in section 1605C of title 28, United States Code, as added by that subsection, that occurred before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Removal of immunity from attachment or execution Section 1610 of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(7), by striking section 1605A or section 1605(a)(7) (as such section was in effect on January 27, 2008) and inserting section 1605A, section 1605(a)(7) (as such section was in effect on January 27, 2008), or section 1605C ; (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking or 1605(b) and inserting , 1605(b), or 1605C ; (3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: (d) The property of a foreign state, as defined in section 1603(a) of this chapter, used for a commercial activity in the United States, shall not be immune from attachment prior to the entry of judgment in any action brought in a court of the United States or of a State, or prior to the elapse of the period of time provided in subsection (c) of this section, if— (1) the foreign state has explicitly waived its immunity from attachment prior to judgment, notwithstanding any withdrawal of the waiver the foreign state may purport to effect except in accordance with the terms of the waiver; (2) the purpose of the attachment is to secure satisfaction of a judgment that has been or may ultimately be entered against the foreign state, and not to obtain jurisdiction; or (3) the attachment relates to a claim for which the foreign state is not immune under section 1605C. ; and (4) in subsection (g)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 1605A and inserting 1605A or 1605C . (d) Cause of action Any citizen or resident of the United States injured in his or her person, property, or business by reason of any reckless action or omission (including a conscious disregard of the need to report information promptly or deliberately hiding relevant information) of a foreign state, or of any official, employee, or agent of that foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency, that caused or substantially aggravated the COVID–19 global pandemic in the United States, regardless of where the action or omission occurred, may sue therefor in any appropriate district court of the United States and shall recover threefold the damages he or she sustains and the cost of the suit, including attorney's fees. (e) Enforcement by state attorneys general Any State, on its own behalf or on behalf of the citizens or residents of the State, may bring a civil action under subsection (d) in a district court of the United States. Nothing in this Act may be construed to prevent a State from exercising its powers under State law. (f) Time limitation on the commencement of civil action Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a civil action arising under subsection (d) may be commenced up to 20 years after the cause of action accrues. (g) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1605B the following: 1605C. Responsibility of foreign states for reckless actions or omissions causing the COVID–19 global pandemic in the United States. .