(a) Definitions.— In this section— (1) the term “ covered Federal offense ” means a level A offense or level B offense, as those terms are defined in section 3771A; and (2) the term “ victim of trafficking ” has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 ( 22 U.S.C. 7102 ). (b) Duress.— In a prosecution for a covered Federal offense , a defendant may establish duress by demonstrating that the defendant was a victim of trafficking at the time at which the defendant committed the offense. (c) Record or Proceeding Under Seal.— In any proceeding in which a defense under subsection (b) is raised, any record or part of the proceeding related to the defense shall, on motion, be placed under seal until such time as a conviction is entered for the offense. (d) Post-Conviction Relief.— A failure to assert, or failed assertion of, a defense under subsection (b) by an individual who is convicted of a covered Federal offense may not preclude the individual from asserting as a mitigating factor, at sentencing or in a proceeding for any post-conviction relief, that at the time of the commission of the offense, the defendant was a victim of trafficking and committed the offense under duress. (e) Federal Aid.— A failure to assert, or failed assertion of, a defense under subsection (b) by an individual who is convicted of a covered Federal offense may not be used for the purpose of disqualifying the individual from participating in any federally funded program that aids victims of trafficking. (Added Pub. L. 119–73, § 6(a) , Jan. 23, 2026 , 139 Stat. 2009 .) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Rule of Construction Pub. L. 119–73, § 8 , Jan. 23, 2026 , 139 Stat. 2010 , provided that: “Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 2026 Amendment note set out under section 1 of this title ], or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed to conflict with any of the crime victims’ rights described in section 3771 of title 18 , United States Code.”