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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 4777 (117th)

Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021

reportedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

28 July 2021

Last action

3 November 2021 · Committee

Status

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.

Sponsors

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12], Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-47], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

5 December 2025

Summary

Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2021 This bill addresses the release by bankruptcy courts of creditor or other third-party claims against non-debtors. Complex bankruptcies may involve third-party claims against non-debtors associated with the debtor, such as the debtor's officers, directors, or employees. Currently, in carrying out a bankruptcy plan, bankruptcy courts may release non-debtors from liability (there is a split in the judicial circuits regarding this practice). The bill generally prohibits a bankruptcy court from (1) releasing or modifying a non-debtor's liability through the approval of a bankruptcy plan or through an order, or (2) enjoining a judicial proceeding or other act to collect or otherwise enforce such a claim or cause of action against a non-debtor. However, the bill provides for the release of such liability if express consent is given by the third party. The bill also generally limits an order or decree to temporarily enjoin a proceeding against a non-debtor to 90 days. Additionally, the bill gives appellate jurisdiction to the appropriate U.S. court of appeals regarding an order or decree to temporarily enjoin or stay a proceeding against a non-debtor in a Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy case. Currently, U.S. district courts have appellate jurisdiction for these matters. Upon request of an interested party, and after notice and a hearing, the court shall dismiss a Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy case if the debtor was involved in certain restructuring activity that (1) had the intent or foreseeable effect of separating a debtor's assets from a debtor's liabilities and the debtor assuming or retaining such liabilities, and (2) occurred in the 10-year period prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 28 July 2021

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 28 July 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 28 July 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 3 November 2021

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.

    Source: Committee

  5. 3 November 2021

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 28 July 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 28 July 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 28 July 2021

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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