This bill, known as the "Protect Children's Innocence Act," significantly amends section 116 of title 18, United States Code, to establish federal prohibitions against certain medical procedures performed on minors. It specifically targets genital and bodily mutilation and chemical castration of individuals under 18 years of age, making such acts federal crimes punishable by fines and up to 10 years imprisonment. The legislation broadly defines "genital or bodily mutilation" to include female genital mutilation (FGM) and a wide range of surgeries intended to alter a minor's body to align with a sex different from their biological sex. These procedures encompass, but are not limited to, castration, hysterectomy, mastectomy, phalloplasty, vaginoplasty, and certain facial or body contouring surgeries. Similarly, "chemical castration" is defined as administering medications like puberty blockers, supraphysiologic testosterone to biological females, or supraphysiologic estrogen to biological males, when done for the purpose of changing a minor's biological sex. The bill establishes federal jurisdiction over these offenses if they involve interstate or foreign commerce, or occur within U.S. special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. It explicitly states that religious, customary, or traditional practices are not a defense for FGM, and victims cannot be prosecuted. Crucially, the bill includes specific exceptions for procedures deemed necessary to the health of the minor and performed by a licensed medical practitioner. However, the definition of "health of a minor" explicitly excludes mental, behavioral, or emotional distress or disorders. Additional exemptions are provided for individuals with intersex conditions, those requiring treatment for complications from prior procedures, those in imminent danger of major bodily function impairment, or minors diagnosed with precocious puberty for normalization purposes.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 10.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-311.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 953 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Rule H. Res. 953 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 953. (consideration: CR H5992-6000)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3492.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5999-6000)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3492, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Balint demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6008-6009)
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 218 (Roll no. 350).
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 10.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-311.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 953 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Rule H. Res. 953 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 953. (consideration: CR H5992-6000)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3492.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5999-6000)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3492, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Balint demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6008-6009)
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 218 (Roll no. 350).
Child healthCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDrug therapySex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSurgery and anesthesia
Protect Children’s Innocence Act
USA119th CongressHR-3492| House
| Updated: 12/18/2025
This bill, known as the "Protect Children's Innocence Act," significantly amends section 116 of title 18, United States Code, to establish federal prohibitions against certain medical procedures performed on minors. It specifically targets genital and bodily mutilation and chemical castration of individuals under 18 years of age, making such acts federal crimes punishable by fines and up to 10 years imprisonment. The legislation broadly defines "genital or bodily mutilation" to include female genital mutilation (FGM) and a wide range of surgeries intended to alter a minor's body to align with a sex different from their biological sex. These procedures encompass, but are not limited to, castration, hysterectomy, mastectomy, phalloplasty, vaginoplasty, and certain facial or body contouring surgeries. Similarly, "chemical castration" is defined as administering medications like puberty blockers, supraphysiologic testosterone to biological females, or supraphysiologic estrogen to biological males, when done for the purpose of changing a minor's biological sex. The bill establishes federal jurisdiction over these offenses if they involve interstate or foreign commerce, or occur within U.S. special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. It explicitly states that religious, customary, or traditional practices are not a defense for FGM, and victims cannot be prosecuted. Crucially, the bill includes specific exceptions for procedures deemed necessary to the health of the minor and performed by a licensed medical practitioner. However, the definition of "health of a minor" explicitly excludes mental, behavioral, or emotional distress or disorders. Additional exemptions are provided for individuals with intersex conditions, those requiring treatment for complications from prior procedures, those in imminent danger of major bodily function impairment, or minors diagnosed with precocious puberty for normalization purposes.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 10.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-311.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 953 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Rule H. Res. 953 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 953. (consideration: CR H5992-6000)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3492.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5999-6000)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3492, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Balint demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6008-6009)
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 218 (Roll no. 350).
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 10.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-311.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 953 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Rule H. Res. 953 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 953. (consideration: CR H5992-6000)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6703, H.R. 498 and H.R. 3492. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6703 and H.R. 498 under a closed rule and H.R. 3492 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3492.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5999-6000)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3492, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Balint demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6008-6009)
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 218 (Roll no. 350).