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United States · Bill · S

S. 271 (101st)

Habeas Corpus Reform Act of 1989

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

25 January 1989

Last action

14 February 1989 · Referred

Status

Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

Sponsors

Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL], Sen. Nunn, Sam [D-GA], Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV], Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL], Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS], Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA], Sen. Robb, Charles S. [D-VA], Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

Summary

Habeas Corpus Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal judicial code to condition consideration of a habeas corpus claim by a State prisoner on a showing of actual prejudice resulting from the denial of a Federal right, and that: (1) State action precluded assertion of the right; (2) the Federal right asserted was newly recognized; or (3) the factual basis of the claim could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence prior to the procedural default. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits the granting of a habeas corpus writ with respect to any claim which has been fully and fairly adjudicated in State proceedings.

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

Timeline

  1. 25 January 1989

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 25 January 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 14 February 1989

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

2 official files

Introduced in Senate (text)

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 25 January 1989

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Related records

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.