H.R. 6988 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6988 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 12, 2024Mr. D'Esposito (for himself, Mr. Costa, Mr. Carson, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Lawler, and Ms. Sánchez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen the enforcement of certain court ordered property distributions. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as Jane’s Law. 2. Spousal obligations (a) In General Chapter 11A of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the chapter heading by inserting and spousal obligation after Child support; and (2) by adding at the end the following: 228A. Failure to pay legal spousal court-ordered property distribution (a) Offense Whoever knowingly, travels in interstate or foreign commerce, with the intent to evade compliance with a court ordered property distribution shall be imprisoned for not more than two years, fined under this title, or both. (b) Mandatory Restitution Upon a conviction under this section, the court shall order restitution under section 3663A in an amount equal to the total unpaid amount under the court ordered property distribution. (c) Definition The term court ordered property distribution means an amount of more than $5,000 determined under a court order pursuant to the law of a State or of an Indian tribe to be due to a spouse or former spouse as an equitable or other distribution of assets in connection with a separation or divorce. . (b) Table of sections amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 228A. Failure to pay legal spousal court ordered property distribution. .