Bills · HR 636
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 636Civil actions and liabilityCrimes against property
Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act
INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION JAN 22
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to address the rising trend of attacks and vandalism against specific types of facilities: pregnancy resource centers and places of religious worship. If this bill becomes law, it would create stronger federal deterrents by increasing the potential prison sentences and fines for people who commit such acts. This could lead to a decrease in these types of incidents, offering more security to these organizations and their patrons.
Conversely, if the bill does not become law, the existing federal penalties for these types of attacks would remain in place, which proponents argue may not be sufficient to deter the recent increase in violence. The bill connects to broader issues of protecting religious freedom, ensuring the safety of organizations providing specific types of healthcare-related counseling, and maintaining public order.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Increases the maximum criminal prison sentence for a first offense of attacking a pregnancy resource center (that exclusively offers abortion alternatives) or a place of religious worship to not more than 3 years.
This provision aims to provide a stronger federal deterrent against violent or intimidating acts targeting these specific types of facilities.
PROVISION 02
Increases civil penalties for individuals who attack these specific facilities or places of worship to $20,000 per violation, and for actions brought by the Attorney General, increases the first-time violation penalty to $25,000.
This strengthens the financial consequences for those who commit acts of violence, intimidation, or property damage against these specific institutions.
PROVISION 03
Expands the federal law against destruction of buildings by fire or explosives to explicitly include pregnancy resource centers (exclusively providing abortion alternatives) and places of religious worship.
This ensures that acts of arson or bombings against these specific types of buildings are covered by a severe federal penalty, carrying a minimum 7-year prison sentence.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
80
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 22
Introduced in House
JAN 22
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 636
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 22, 2025
Last actionJan 22, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2025
House BillHR 636Civil actions and liabilityCrimes against property
Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act
INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 22, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
