S 2201
LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025
Jurisdiction
US Congress
Session
119th Congress (2025-2026)
Last updated at
Jun 14, 2026, 8:57 AM
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025, prohibits the use of ‘panic defenses’ in federal criminal cases where sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of the victim is cited as a reason for the defendant’s actions. It aims to eliminate a historically controversial legal argument that has been used to mitigate penalties in crimes against LGBTQ individuals. The bill also requires the Attorney General to report annually on prosecutions involving bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ people. It clarifies that prior trauma can still be considered as evidence, but not as a defense based on the victim’s identity.
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