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LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2201| Senate 
| Updated: 6/27/2025
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (14)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025, aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code by prohibiting the use of so-called "panic defenses" in federal criminal proceedings. These defenses attempt to excuse or justify violent crimes by claiming that a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression provoked the defendant's actions. Congress finds these defenses to be anachronistic, undermining the legitimacy of federal prosecutions and perpetuating prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no nonviolent sexual advance or perception of an individual's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation may be used to excuse, justify, or mitigate the severity of an offense. However, it does allow for the admission of evidence regarding prior trauma to the defendant, in accordance with Federal Rules of Evidence, for similar purposes. Additionally, the Act requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports detailing federal prosecutions of capital and noncapital crimes committed against LGBTQ+ individuals that were motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2279
LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2023
Jun 26, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4197
Introduced in House
Jun 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2279
    LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2023


  • June 26, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4197
    Introduced in House


  • June 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4197: LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025

LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2201| Senate 
| Updated: 6/27/2025
This legislation, titled the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025, aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code by prohibiting the use of so-called "panic defenses" in federal criminal proceedings. These defenses attempt to excuse or justify violent crimes by claiming that a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression provoked the defendant's actions. Congress finds these defenses to be anachronistic, undermining the legitimacy of federal prosecutions and perpetuating prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no nonviolent sexual advance or perception of an individual's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation may be used to excuse, justify, or mitigate the severity of an offense. However, it does allow for the admission of evidence regarding prior trauma to the defendant, in accordance with Federal Rules of Evidence, for similar purposes. Additionally, the Act requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports detailing federal prosecutions of capital and noncapital crimes committed against LGBTQ+ individuals that were motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2279
LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2023
Jun 26, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4197
Introduced in House
Jun 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2279
    LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2023


  • June 26, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4197
    Introduced in House


  • June 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (14)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4197: LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted