To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes.

H.R. 865 aims to make it easier for American citizens to sue foreign governments that are officially designated as state sponsors of terrorism for personal injury or death. The bill clarifies that these foreign states, along with their officials and agents, can be held legally and financially responsible in U.S. courts for acts such as torture, hostage-taking, or providing material support for terrorism.

For everyday citizens, this legislation provides a clearer legal path to seek monetary damages and allows U.S. courts to seize the property or assets of those foreign states to pay out legal judgments. Additionally, the bill ensures that even if a country is later removed from the terrorism sponsor list, victims can still pursue or maintain lawsuits for incidents that occurred while the designation was in place.