Epstein Records Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025 — Revised Draft

A BILL

To enhance transparency, protect victims, improve oversight, and establish an independent citizens’ commission regarding matters related to Jeffrey Epstein, his associates, and properties, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Epstein Records Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025.”

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

1. The public has a compelling interest in accurate, comprehensive disclosure of government records concerning Jeffrey Epstein, his associates, and activities on Little St. James and related properties, consistent with the protection of victims and due process.
2. Past investigative and prosecutorial actions, including the 2007–2008 non-prosecution arrangements in Florida, raise unresolved questions of procedure, accountability, and victims’ rights.
3. Civil litigation has identified institutional failures among certain financial institutions and other enablers, underscoring the need for improved compliance, reporting, and oversight.
4. Transparency must be balanced against the privacy and safety of victims and witnesses, and sensitive law-enforcement methods.
5. Congress has the authority to legislate disclosures, oversee federal agencies, and establish an independent citizens’ commission to review, summarize, and publicly report on the record.

(b) Purpose.—The purposes of this Act are to—

1. ensure timely, appropriately redacted release of government and estate records;
2. protect victims through trauma‑informed processes and privacy safeguards;
3. preserve evidence related to the Epstein matter;
4. strengthen oversight of relevant institutions; and
5. create a citizens’ commission with subpoena authority to compile a comprehensive public record.

(c) Objectives.— In carrying out this Act, the Federal Government and the Commission shall prioritize:

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

1. “Covered Records” means documents, data, audio, video, photographs, logs, calendars, visitor lists, flight manifests, financial ledgers, correspondence, investigative files, and digital or physical media created, obtained, or maintained by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of the Treasury, or other federal agencies, or produced by the Epstein estate or court-appointed custodians in connection with investigations or litigation concerning Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Little St. James, Great St. James, or materially related persons or entities.
2. “Victim” means any individual identified as a victim of Epstein-related crimes by a federal court, a federal agency, or a state court or agency cooperating with a federal investigation.
3. “Personally Identifying Information (PII)” includes data that could reasonably be used to identify a victim or minor, including names, addresses, contact information, biometrics, or unique identifiers.
4. “Commission” means the Citizens’ Commission on Epstein Records established under section 7.

SEC. 4. GOVERNMENT RECORDS DISCLOSURE AND PUBLICATION.

1. (a) Declassification and Release Review.—Within 90 days after enactment, the Attorney General shall initiate a rolling review of Covered Records for public release, in consultation with the Archivist of the United States and the heads of relevant agencies.
2. (b) Presumption of Disclosure.—Covered Records shall be released unless the Attorney General determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that withholding is necessary to protect: (1) the safety and privacy of victims or minors; (2) ongoing law‑enforcement operations where disclosure would pose a specific and articulable risk; or (3) properly classified information the release of which would cause identifiable harm to national security.
3. (c) Redaction Standards.—Redactions shall be narrowly tailored and accompanied by a clear annotation (e.g., “Victim Privacy,” “Minor Privacy,” “Active Investigation,” or “National Security”).
4. (d) Rolling Publication Schedule.—Initial tranches shall be published within 120 days of enactment and quarterly thereafter for 2 years, on a public, searchable website maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
5. (e) Index of Withheld Material.—For any records withheld in full, NARA shall publish an unclassified index describing the record, the basis for withholding, and a timeline for re‑review.
6. (f) Appeal.—Any person may petition the Commission under section 7 for review of a withholding determination. The Commission may recommend release or modified redaction to the Attorney General, who must respond in writing within 45 days.

SEC. 5. FLIGHT LOGS, ESTATE MATERIALS, AND CUSTODY.

1. (a) Production of Logs and Ledgers.—The Attorney General shall, within 60 days, compel production from known custodians of flight logs, visitor logs, calendars, address books, payment ledgers, and comparable materials reasonably believed to exist and not already in federal custody.
2. (b) Chain of Custody.—The Attorney General, in coordination with NARA, shall certify the chain of custody for all materials produced under this section and publish a public certification within 30 days of receipt, with appropriate redactions.
3. (c) False Certifications.—Any willful false certification or concealment is subject to penalties under title 18, United States Code.

SEC. 6. PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE ON LITTLE ST. JAMES AND RELATED PROPERTIES.

1. (a) Certification.—Within 60 days, DOJ shall certify to Congress and the Commission that all reasonably accessible physical and digital evidence pertinent to federal investigations from Little St. James and Great St. James has been preserved or forensically imaged, or explain any gaps and mitigation steps.
2. (b) Coordination with Current Owners.—The Attorney General shall maintain a standing preservation protocol with the current owners or custodians of said properties to ensure access for any lawful follow‑up examinations.
3. (c) Reporting.—A public report on preservation status shall be published within 120 days and updated annually for 3 years.

SEC. 7. CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON EPSTEIN RECORDS — STRUCTURE & GOVERNANCE.

(a) Establishment.—There is established an independent entity in the legislative branch to be known as the “Citizens’ Commission on Epstein Records.”

(b) Mission.—The Commission shall: (1) receive, review, and synthesize Covered Records released under this Act; (2) evaluate prior investigative decisions, including the 2007–2008 non‑prosecution agreement; (3) assess systemic enablers and compliance failures; (4) oversee professional investigative teams; and (5) issue public reports and recommendations.

(c) Composition and Selection.—

1. Board size and balance. The Commission shall consist of 13 voting members selected through a transparent, lottery‑based process from a pool of qualified applicants with safeguards for geographic, partisan, and demographic balance, including 3 left‑leaning, 3 right‑leaning, 3 independent/heterodox members, 2 victim‑advocate seats, 1 civil‑liberties seat, and 1 forensic/oversight expert.
2. Disqualifications. Exclude current federal/state elected officials; current employees of entities under investigation; persons with financial conflicts; and individuals convicted of crimes related to trafficking or exploitation.
3. Ex officio advisors. Non‑voting representatives from DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), NARA, and GAO.

(d) Leadership and Professional Staff.—

1. Chair. A nationally trusted, nonpartisan figure (e.g., Kenneth R. Feinberg or Sheila Bair).
2. Vice‑Chair (Process). A retired Article III judge (e.g., Judge Raymond J. Dearie or Judge Barbara S. Jones).
3. Chief Investigator (Professional Staff). An independent oversight prosecutor/IG‑profile (e.g., Neil Barofsky).
4. Victim‑Privacy & Services Lead. A nationally respected, trauma‑informed leader (e.g., a former OVC Director).
5. Forensic Accounting Lead. A veteran big‑case forensic accountant (e.g., Harry Markopolos or equivalent).
6. Digital Forensics Lead. A leading expert in image/device forensics and authenticity (e.g., Hany Farid, PhD, or equivalent).

Suggested names are illustrative; appointments shall follow conflict‑of‑interest screening and consent.

(e) Oversight vs. Investigation—Firewalls. The Board shall set scope, priorities, and transparency policies; approve subpoenas and redactions; and evaluate staff performance. Board members shall not conduct interviews, handle original media, or access raw victim statements except as necessary in closed session with counsel and victim‑privacy officers present.

(f) Voting Rules. Subpoenas and redactions require 9/13 votes; hiring/firing the Chief Investigator requires 8/13; interim/final reports require a majority, with space for minority views.

(g) Powers. The Commission may issue subpoenas for documents and testimony; enforcement shall be in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Commission may hold public and closed hearings and appoint staff and specialists, including victim‑support liaisons and privacy officers.

(h) Reports. Interim report due within 12 months of first meeting; final report within 30 months; each to include an annotated public record, recommended reforms, and an appendix of redaction‑coded materials and outstanding gaps.

(i) Sunset. The Commission terminates 60 days after submission of its final report, except for archival wrap‑up.

SEC. 8. VICTIM PRIVACY, SUPPORT, AND RIGHTS.

1. (a) Privacy Protections.—All releases under this Act shall default to protecting the identities of victims and minors; no victim PII may be disclosed without affirmative consent.
2. (b) Victim Services.—OVC shall provide grants for counseling, relocation, legal assistance, and digital privacy remediation for victims whose cases are connected to Covered Records.
3. (c) Crime Victims’ Rights Act Clarification.—Nothing in this Act diminishes any right under 18 U.S.C. § 3771.

SEC. 9. REVIEW OF THE 2007–2008 NON‑PROSECUTION AGREEMENT AND RELATED ACTIONS.

1. (a) DOJ Inspector General Review.—The DOJ OIG shall conduct a comprehensive review of decision‑making surrounding the 2007–2008 Florida non‑prosecution agreement and any federal coordination, and publish a public report with findings and recommendations within 12 months, with a classified annex as necessary.
2. (b) GAO Study.—The Comptroller General shall assess federal oversight failures and propose reforms to ensure transparency, interagency coordination, and victim participation in comparable cases.

SEC. 10. FEDERAL CUSTODY DEATH REVIEW TRANSPARENCY.

1. (a) Publication.—Within 120 days, DOJ shall publish, to the extent consistent with victim privacy and law‑enforcement sensitivity, a consolidated account of record for Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody, including applicable audits, camera system status reports, and corrective actions taken.
2. (b) Standardization.—DOJ shall promulgate standards to ensure future in‑custody death reviews include comprehensive chain‑of‑evidence documentation and timely public summaries.

SEC. 11. FOLLOW‑THE‑MONEY INVESTIGATIONS; FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

1. (a) Mandate. The Commission’s professional staff shall conduct follow‑the‑money inquiries arising from Covered Records, including review of bank accounts, transfers, trusts, and intermediaries reasonably linked to the Epstein matter.
2. (b) Subpoenas to Financial Institutions. The Commission may subpoena relevant financial records from banks and other financial institutions. Subpoenas shall be narrowly tailored and respect statutory confidentiality, including Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) protections; SAR‑related information shall be received in closed session pursuant to applicable law.
3. (c) Treasury/FinCEN Coordination. The Secretary of the Treasury, through FinCEN, shall assign liaisons to support lawful information‑sharing and pattern analysis; within 9 months, FinCEN shall issue guidance on trafficking‑linked typologies informed by the Commission’s work.
4. (d) Reporting. A public, non‑confidential summary of financial findings shall be included in each report under section 7(h), with redactions limited to victim privacy, active investigations, and national security.

SEC. 12. LITIGATION AND APPEALS—RECORDS CONSEQUENCES.

1. (a) Court Records Coordination.—Where ongoing appeals or sealed filings relate to Covered Records (including in United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell), DOJ shall coordinate with courts to promote maximum feasible transparency consistent with due process and victim privacy.
2. (b) Post‑Appeal Disclosure.—Within 90 days after final disposition of any appeal materially affecting Covered Records, DOJ shall re‑review implicated records for release.

SEC. 13. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS.

Employees or contractors of federal agencies or custodial estates who disclose information to the Commission or Congress consistent with law shall be protected under applicable federal whistleblower statutes; agencies shall provide notice of rights and anti‑retaliation remedies.

SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

1. (a) Commission.—There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to carry out section 7.
2. (b) Records Processing and Victim Support.—There are authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to DOJ, NARA, and OVC to implement sections 4, 5, 6, and 8.
3. (c) Treasury/FinCEN and GAO.—Such sums as may be necessary to carry out sections 11 and 9(b).

SEC. 15. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this Act, and the application of the remaining provisions, shall not be affected.

SEC. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act takes effect upon enactment.

Explanatory Notes (not part of bill text)

• Oversight Board vs. Investigators: Non‑government figures (left/right/independent) serve as a public‑trust board. Respected professionals conduct the investigation.
• Follow the Money: Explicit authority to subpoena banks, coordinate with Treasury/FinCEN, and publish non‑confidential summaries.
• Suggested Professionals: Chair — Kenneth R. Feinberg or Sheila Bair; Vice‑Chair — Judge Raymond J. Dearie or Judge Barbara S. Jones; Chief Investigator — Neil Barofsky; Victim‑Privacy Lead — former OVC Director; Forensic Accounting — Harry Markopolos (or equivalent); Digital Forensics — Hany Farid, PhD (or equivalent).

Illustrative, non‑government influencers for the Oversight Board (to signal nonpartisanship)

These names are examples only. Final appointments must pass conflict‑of‑interest screening, consent to ethics rules, and accept that professional investigators—not public figures—conduct victim interviews and handle evidence.