US congress passes revamped Holocaust recovery bill that sidesteps many legal defences

"Representative Laurel Lee stated the new version of the law ensures that such claims 'are evaluated on their merits-not dismissed because of technical legal barriers'. Representative Jerrold Nadler emphasized that plaintiffs with credible claims deserve 'to have their day in court, with their case heard on the merits alone. Justice must no longer be denied due to procedural technicalities', legislative sunset provisions, or 'a legal loophole'."

"The new law continues the remedy provided in the HEAR Act of 2016 to perhaps the most common obstacle in Nazi-era art restitution claims: state statutes of limitations that bar lawsuits after certain time periods. The extension continues the original law's national, six-year time limit to sue, after the claimant actually discovers certain key aspects of the claim. Unlike the original law, it contains no 'sunset' or expiration."

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act of 2025 removes traditional legal protections available to defendants in Nazi-looted art claims. The House unanimously approved the legislation on March 16, following Senate approval in December, and it will become law upon presidential signature. The act extends and expands the 2016 HEAR Act, which was set to expire at the end of 2026. Key provisions eliminate procedural defenses such as laches and deference to foreign government actions, ensuring claims are evaluated on their merits rather than dismissed on technical grounds. The law maintains a six-year statute of limitations beginning when claimants discover key claim aspects and removes the sunset provision, making the protections permanent.

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