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Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025
To direct the Judicial Conference to submit a report examining an amendment to the Federal Rules of Evidence to further limit admissibility of evidence regarding an alleged victim's sexual behavior or predisposition and to improve privacy protections for admissible evidence.
Summary
The bill would direct the Judicial Conference to examine and recommend amendments to federal evidence and procedural rules regarding sexual assault cases. It would have the Judicial Conference review Rule 412 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to further limit admissible evidence about alleged victims' sexual behavior or predisposition and strengthen privacy protections. It would also require review of Rule 26 in civil cases and Rule 16 in criminal cases to narrow the scope of discovery requests into alleged victims' personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, and medical records and to establish clearer privacy protections and limits on disclosure of sensitive information. The Judicial Conference would have 180 days to submit its findings and recommendations to Congress.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1] (R-SC)
Actions (2)
- May 23, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. · house
- May 23, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2025
Ms. Mace introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To direct the Judicial Conference to submit a report examining an amendment to the Federal Rules of Evidence to further limit admissibility of evidence regarding an alleged victim’s sexual behavior or predisposition and to improve privacy protections for admissible evidence.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. REPORT ON AMENDMENT TO THE RULES OF EVIDENCE TO FURTHER LIMIT ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE REGARDING AN ALLEGED VICTIM’S SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OR PREDISPOSITION AND TO IMPROVE PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Judicial Conference shall submit to Congress—
(1) a report reviewing Rule 412 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, and identify amendments, in accordance with chapter 131 of title 28, United States Code, limited in scope to—
(A) further limiting the admissibility of evidence regarding the sexual behavior or predisposition of an alleged victim of sexual assault; and
(B) improving privacy protections for admissible evidence related to the sexual behavior or predisposition of an alleged victim of sexual assault, including the subsequent disclosure of such evidence;
(2) a report reviewing Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and identify amendments, in accordance with chapter 131 of title 28, United States Code, that would—
(A) narrow the scope of permissible discovery requests to limit inquiries into the personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, medical, or other private or confidential records or history of an alleged victim of sexual assault, unless directly relevant to the case;
(B) establish clearer protections for the privacy of such an alleged victim, including limitations on subsequent disclosures of personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, medical, or other private or confidential records or history of an alleged victim of sexual assault; and
(C) ensure that discovery practices are consistent with Federal law protecting the rights of such an alleged victim; and
(3) a report reviewing Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and identify amendments, in accordance with chapter 131 of title 28, United States Code, that would—
(A) narrow the scope of permissible discovery requests to limit inquiries into the personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, medical, or other private or confidential records or history of an alleged victim of sexual assault, unless directly relevant to the case;
(B) establish clearer protections for the privacy of such an alleged victim, including limitations on subsequent disclosures of personal, financial, social, psychological, sexual, medical, or other private or confidential records or history of an alleged victim of sexual assault; and
(C) ensure that discovery practices are consistent with Federal law protecting the rights of such an alleged victim. <all>
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