The Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act of 2024 allows federal judges to impose sentences below the mandatory minimum for defendants who are themselves survivors of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. The bill recognizes that many incarcerated people, particularly women, have experienced significant trauma and abuse that contributed to their criminal behavior, and it gives courts flexibility to consider this history when determining appropriate sentences. The legislation applies to cases sentenced after its enactment and allows people already convicted to petition the court for resentencing under these new provisions. The bill also directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines to include consideration of a defendant's history as a survivor of abuse. The legislation does not include specific funding allocations or implementation timelines beyond its effective date upon enactment.
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