US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

34 U.S.C. § 20106

Compensation to victims of international terrorism

(a)

Definitions

In this section:
(1)

International terrorism

section 2331 of title 18The term “international terrorism” has the meaning given the term in .

(2)

National of the United States

section 1101(a) of title 8The term “national of the United States” has the meaning given the term in .

(3)

Victim

(A)

In general

The term “victim” means a person who—
(i)
suffered direct physical or emotional injury or death as a result of international terrorism occurring on or after , with respect to which an investigation or civil or criminal prosecution was ongoing after ; and
(ii)
as of the date on which the international terrorism occurred, was a national of the United States or an officer or employee of the United States Government.
(B)

Incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased victims

In the case of a victim who is less than 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, a family member or legal guardian of the victim may receive the compensation under this section on behalf of the victim.

(C)

Exception

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in no event shall an individual who is criminally culpable for the terrorist act or mass violence receive any compensation under this section, either directly or on behalf of a victim.

(b)

Award of compensation

section 20101(d)(5)(A) of this titleThe Director may use the emergency reserve referred to in to carry out a program to compensate victims of acts of international terrorism that occur outside the United States for expenses associated with that victimization. The amount of compensation awarded to a victim under this subsection shall be reduced by any amount that the victim received in connection with the same act of international terrorism under title VIII of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986.

(c)

Annual report

The Director shall annually submit to Congress a report on the status and activities of the program under this section, which report shall include—
(1)
an explanation of the procedures for filing and processing of applications for compensation;
(2)
a description of the procedures and policies instituted to promote public awareness about the program;
(3)
a complete statistical analysis of the victims assisted under the program, including—
(A)
the number of applications for compensation submitted;
(B)
the number of applications approved and the amount of each award;
(C)
the number of applications denied and the reasons for the denial;
(D)
the average length of time to process an application for compensation; and
(E)
the number of applications for compensation pending and the estimated future liability of the program; and
(4)
an analysis of future program needs and suggested program improvements.

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 1404CPub. L. 106–386, div. C, § 2003(c)(1)114 Stat. 1544Pub. L. 107–56, title VI, § 624(c)115 Stat. 373Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, § 1083(b)(4)122 Stat. 342(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 99–399100 Stat. 853section 6325 of Title 5section 5569 of Title 5section 559 of Title 37section 5569 of Title 5The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is , , . Title VIII of the Act, known as the “Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act”, enacted sections 5569 and 5570 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, sections 1051, 1095, and 2181 to 2185 of Title 10, Armed Forces, and sections 559 and 1013 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services, amended , and enacted provisions set out as notes under , sections 1051, 1095, and 2181 of Title 10, and . For complete classification of title VIII to the Code, see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

Codification

section 10603c of Title 42Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–1812008—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(i). substituted “, with respect to which an investigation or civil or criminal” for “ with respect to which an investigation or”.

Pub. L. 107–562001—Subsec. (b). inserted at end “The amount of compensation awarded to a victim under this subsection shall be reduced by any amount that the victim received in connection with the same act of international terrorism under title VIII of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–181section 1083(c) of Pub. L. 110–181section 1605A of Title 28For applicability of amendments by to pending cases, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.