Justice for Exonerees Act

H.R. 5540 would modify federal law to increase the maximum amount of compensation available to individuals who were unjustly convicted and imprisoned. The bill would raise the annual compensation rate from the current $50,000 per year to $70,000 per year for eligible exonerees. Additionally, the legislation would require that compensation amounts be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that the value of compensation keeps pace with rising costs over time. If enacted, this would apply to people in federal cases who have had their convictions reversed or vacated based on evidence of actual innocence. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.