summary
Introduced
06/26/2025
06/26/2025
In Committee
06/26/2025
06/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit defenses based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025," aims to prevent criminal defendants from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a legal justification or mitigation for violent crimes in federal courts. The legislation specifically prohibits using a nonviolent sexual advance, or a perception or belief about an individual's gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, as an excuse to justify or reduce the severity of criminal conduct. The bill recognizes that such "panic defenses" are rooted in historical prejudices against LGBTQ+ individuals and undermine the principles of equal protection under the law. While generally banning these defenses, the bill does allow courts to consider evidence of prior trauma to the defendant when evaluating their actions. Additionally, the legislation requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on prosecutions involving crimes committed against LGBTQ+ individuals that were motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The proposed law stems from recommendations by the American Bar Association and seeks to eliminate defenses that characterize sexual orientation or gender identity as reasonable grounds for losing self-control or committing violent acts.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (54)
Chris Pappas (D)*,
Gabe Amo (D),
Becca Balint (D),
Suzanne Bonamici (D),
Julia Brownley (D),
Salud Carbajal (D),
Sean Casten (D),
Judy Chu (D),
Lou Correa (D),
Jasmine Crockett (D),
Sharice Davids (D),
Danny Davis (D),
Diana DeGette (D),
Suzan DelBene (D),
Chris Deluzio (D),
Dwight Evans (D),
Lizzie Fletcher (D),
Valerie Foushee (D),
Maxwell Frost (D),
John Garamendi (D),
Sylvia Garcia (D),
Chuy García (D),
Josh Gottheimer (D),
Al Green (D),
Jahana Hayes (D),
Jared Huffman (D),
Hank Johnson (D),
Timothy Kennedy (D),
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D),
Ted Lieu (D),
Zoe Lofgren (D),
Stephen Lynch (D),
April McClain-Delaney (D),
Jenn McClellan (D),
Morgan McGarvey (D),
Jim McGovern (D),
LaMonica McIver (D),
Seth Moulton (D),
Kevin Mullin (D),
Joe Neguse (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Frank Pallone (D),
Scott Peters (D),
Mike Quigley (D),
Andrea Salinas (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Hillary Scholten (D),
Brad Sherman (D),
Marilyn Strickland (D),
Emilia Sykes (D),
Mark Takano (D),
Shri Thanedar (D),
Paul Tonko (D),
Nikema Williams (D),
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 06/26/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4197/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr4197/BILLS-119hr4197ih.pdf |
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