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Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022

USA117th CongressHR-8394| House 
| Updated: 11/1/2022
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic Representative

New York

Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the right of individuals of the same sex to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct. Specifically, the bill prohibits any state from enacting a law or regulation that infringes on any individual's right to enter into a consensual sexual relationship in the confines of their home and private life, including with respect to individuals of the same sex. (The Supreme Court held that state laws criminalizing private, consensual sexual relationships between individuals of the same sex were unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003.) The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for violations. It also establishes a private right of action through Section 1983 lawsuits (Section 1983 is a federal statute that allows individuals to sue state or local government actors for violations of constitutional rights).
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Timeline
Jul 15, 2022
Introduced in House
Jul 15, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • July 15, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • July 15, 2022
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022

USA117th CongressHR-8394| House 
| Updated: 11/1/2022
Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the right of individuals of the same sex to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct. Specifically, the bill prohibits any state from enacting a law or regulation that infringes on any individual's right to enter into a consensual sexual relationship in the confines of their home and private life, including with respect to individuals of the same sex. (The Supreme Court held that state laws criminalizing private, consensual sexual relationships between individuals of the same sex were unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003.) The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for violations. It also establishes a private right of action through Section 1983 lawsuits (Section 1983 is a federal statute that allows individuals to sue state or local government actors for violations of constitutional rights).
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jul 15, 2022
Introduced in House
Jul 15, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • July 15, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • July 15, 2022
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic Representative

New York

Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted