Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act

Bill Number

H.R. 636

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T16:43:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act" (H.R. 636) aims to strengthen legal protections against violent or destructive attacks on facilities that provide counseling about alternatives to abortion—often called pregnancy resource centers—and on places of religious worship. It expands existing federal laws to include these locations, ensuring harsher penalties and better remedies for such incidents.

Key Provisions

• Criminal Penalties under Section 248 (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act): For a first-time offense involving a facility that exclusively offers abortion-alternative services or a place of religious worship—excluding cases of purely nonviolent physical blockades—the maximum prison term is set at up to 3 years, alongside potential fines.
• Civil Remedies under Section 248:
• Increases punitive damages to $20,000 per violation for actions targeting these protected facilities or places of worship.
• For a first violation meeting the specified criteria (non-exclusively nonviolent obstruction), damages can reach $25,000.
• Penalties for Destruction under Section 844(i) (Arson and Explosives): If a building, vehicle, or property is damaged or destroyed by fire or explosives and it qualifies as a protected facility (abortion-alternative services) or place of religious worship, the offender faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison. This builds on existing rules that apply to structures involved in interstate commerce.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill modifies the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248), which previously focused mainly on reproductive health clinics, by explicitly adding protections for pregnancy resource centers and religious worship sites. This includes tailored criminal sentences and higher civil damage awards for offenses against them.
• It updates the federal arson statute (18 U.S.C. § 844(i)) to ensure these locations are treated as qualifying properties for mandatory minimum sentences, closing potential gaps in coverage for non-commercial or faith-based buildings.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement may see increased responsibilities for investigating and prosecuting attacks on these sites, potentially requiring more resources for enforcement.
• On Citizens: Operators and visitors of pregnancy resource centers and religious places could benefit from enhanced deterrence against violence, leading to safer operations. Individuals or groups engaging in such attacks face steeper consequences, which might reduce incidents.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is focused on domestic protections.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Pregnancy Resource Centers: Organizations providing counseling on alternatives to abortion, now explicitly shielded from attacks.
• Religious Organizations and Places of Worship: Churches, synagogues, mosques, and similar sites gain stronger federal safeguards.
• Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: Agencies tasked with upholding these laws, including the FBI and U.S. Attorneys.
• Potential Offenders: Individuals or groups (e.g., activists) who might target these locations, facing elevated risks of punishment.
• General Public: Indirectly affected through broader community safety around sensitive social and faith-based services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The amendments clarify and expand the scope of federal hate crime-like protections without creating new crimes, relying on established statutes. This could lead to more consistent application of penalties across similar facilities.
• Constitutional: By targeting violent or destructive acts rather than speech or assembly, the bill aligns with First Amendment limits on restricting protected expression. However, it may invite challenges if broadly interpreted to affect nonviolent protests.
• Political: Introduced amid debates over reproductive rights and religious freedoms following the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the act signals a congressional effort to balance protections for anti-abortion counseling and faith communities, potentially influencing partisan discussions on violence against ideological targets.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-01-22: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-22: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act — issued 2025-01-22 — PDF (3 pages)