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H.R. 5265

Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2019

Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2019

This bill allows a beneficiary (or an heir of a beneficiary) of certain insurance policies in effect during the Holocaust to sue in U.S. district court to enforce rights under such policies.

An insurance policy covered under this bill must have been (1) in effect at any time between January 31, 1933, and December 31, 1945, and (2) issued to a policyholder domiciled in Nazi-controlled territory or Switzerland.

A court shall award to a prevailing beneficiary (1) the amount due under a policy, (2) prejudgment interest of 6% a year, (3) attorney's fees and costs, and (4) treble damages if the insurer acted in bad faith. 

An action under this bill or state law related to a covered insurance policy shall be considered timely if filed within 10 years of this bill's enactment.

Judgments and agreements entered before this bill's enactment shall not preclude a claim brought under the bill, with certain exceptions. Neither executive agreements between the United States and a foreign government nor U.S. executive foreign policies shall (1) affect or preclude claims brought under this bill, or (2) supersede or preempt any state laws relating to insurance policies covered by this bill.

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-23](D-FL)Sponsor
20 cosponsors14 D6 R
20cosponsors2committees5actions1related bills8subjects
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

    Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee
  2. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  3. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  4. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  5. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2019 — Informed