LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2023
This bill prohibits defendants in federal criminal cases from using a victim's LGBTQ+ identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression) as a legal excuse for violence or to reduce sentences - a practice known as the "LGBTQ+ panic defense." It specifically bans arguments that a "nonviolent sexual advance or perception" of the victim's identity justified the crime, while allowing evidence of the defendant's past trauma under standard evidence rules. The law directly affects federal criminal trials where defendants attempt to justify violence against LGBTQ+ victims using prejudice-based excuses. It also requires the Attorney General to report annually on federal prosecutions involving bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jun 30, 2023
Last action Jun 30, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jun 30, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Jun 30, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 106 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Chris Pappas
DDemocratic
Co
Adam B. Schiff
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Smith
DDemocratic
Co
Al Green
DDemocratic
Co
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
DDemocratic
Co
Andrea Salinas
DDemocratic
Co
Andy Kim
DDemocratic
Co
Ann M. Kuster
DDemocratic
Co
Anna G. Eshoo
DDemocratic
Co
Ayanna Pressley
DDemocratic
Co
Becca Balint
DDemocratic
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