Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026
Floor Speech
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Mr. HAMADEH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a former prosecutor and as an Arizonan who has seen what happens when the system prioritizes the criminal over the victim.
Kayleigh Kozak was 12 years old when a trusted teacher and soccer coach began to abuse her. Years later, as an adult and a mother, she was forced back into court to face him again.
In 2020, 13 years after his conviction, he asked a judge to end his so-called lifetime probation. Kayleigh was given just 3 weeks' notice. She had to stand in the courtroom and plead for protection that should never have been in doubt.
Two times as an adult, she was hauled back to look at the man who destroyed her childhood just to keep him away. No victim should ever have to do that.
I want to thank Kayleigh, who is here today with her family, for being here. I promised Kayleigh that when I made it to Congress I would introduce this bill in her honor. Nothing makes me happier than making good on that promise. Kayleigh turned what happened to her into protection for thousands of other victims.
Arizona is proud of Kayleigh, and I am proud of her. We have three of her children here on the floor, as well.
Kayleigh's Law started in Arizona. It works. In its first year alone, more than 1,000 survivors in our State secured lifetime protection from the criminals who hurt them. Kayleigh's Law would give every American victim of a Federal sex crime or violent felony that same shield.
This bill is simple. When a predator is convicted, Federal courts must issue a lifelong no-contact injunction.
Victims should never again be forced to fill out another form, face their abuser across a courtroom, or spend their lives looking over their shoulder simply because a sentence ended and the system decided its job was done.
Healing cannot begin if the abuser can show up again the day after release. Justice is not complete if the victim still lives in fear. Arizona already closed that gap. It is time the Federal Government did the same so no American, no matter which State they live in, is left unprotected after a Federal conviction.
I have sat across from victims. I know how vulnerable they are, and sadly, how determined their predators can be. No survivor should be victimized twice, first by the criminal who harmed them and then by a system that forced them to fight again and again.
Now Kayleigh travels the country ensuring Kayleigh's Law is passed in every State legislature. It is time we guarantee that same protection to victims of Federal crimes across America.
I thank Chairman Biggs for spearheading Kayleigh's Law through the Judiciary Committee, and I also thank Senator Mike Lee for introducing this bill in the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. We protect victims. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8481.
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