Bill Summary
The "Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act" is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at enhancing legal protections for facilities that provide counseling on abortion alternatives and places of religious worship. The bill seeks to amend existing federal law under Title 18 of the United States Code, specifically Section 248, to impose stricter penalties and civil remedies for attacks on these facilities.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Criminal Penalties**: The bill introduces a maximum imprisonment term of three years for first offenses targeting facilities that exclusively offer abortion-alternative services or places of religious worship, provided that the offense does not involve only nonviolent physical obstruction.
2. **Civil Remedies**: It establishes financial penalties for violations affecting these facilities, setting a fine of $20,000 per violation specifically related to abortion-alternative services or religious places. Additionally, a first violation involving such facilities would incur a fine of $25,000, distinguishing it from other physical obstruction violations.
3. **Destruction of Property**: The legislation also amends Section 844(i) to impose a minimum imprisonment of seven years for the destruction of buildings that are either abortion-alternative facilities or places of worship.
Overall, this bill aims to provide stronger protections against violence and vandalism directed at these specific types of facilities, reflecting a growing concern for their security and the services they offer.
Possible Impacts
The "Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act" could affect people in several ways, including:
1. **Increased Legal Protections for Facilities**: By imposing stricter penalties for attacks on facilities that provide abortion alternatives and places of worship, individuals and organizations operating these facilities may feel safer and more secure. This could encourage more people to seek out counseling services related to pregnancy options, knowing that there are legal protections against potential violence or vandalism.
2. **Deterrence of Violent Actions**: The introduction of harsher criminal penalties, including significant prison time for offenses against these facilities, may deter individuals from committing acts of violence or vandalism. This could lead to a decrease in such incidents, contributing to a more peaceful environment for counseling services and religious practices.
3. **Financial Implications for Offenders**: The legislation establishes civil remedies, including substantial fines for violations involving these facilities. This could lead to significant financial repercussions for individuals found guilty of such offenses, which may impact their livelihoods and financial stability. Additionally, the potential for increased legal costs may deter individuals from engaging in unlawful actions against these facilities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 636 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 636
To amend section 248 of title 18, United States Code, to provide
adequate penalties and remedies for attacks on facilities providing
counseling about abortion alternatives and attacks on places of
religious worship.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2025
Ms. Tenney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend section 248 of title 18, United States Code, to provide
adequate penalties and remedies for attacks on facilities providing
counseling about abortion alternatives and attacks on places of
religious worship.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pregnancy Resource Center Defense
Act''.
SEC. 2. ATTACKS ON FACILITIES PROVIDING COUNSELING ABOUT ABORTION
ALTERNATIVES AND PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
(a) Criminal Penalties.--Section 248(b)(1) of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``, except that for a first
offense, if the conduct involved a facility described in subsection
(a)(3) that exclusively provides abortion-alternative services or
involved a place of religious worship and did not involve exclusively a
nonviolent physical obstruction, the length of imprisonment shall be
not more than 3 years'' after ``or both''.
(b) Civil Remedies.--Section 248(c) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), in the second sentence, by
inserting ``, or $20,000 per violation for conduct involving a
facility described in subsection (a)(3) that exclusively
provides abortion-alternative services or involving a place of
religious worship'' after ``per violation''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``, $25,000 for a
first violation, if the violation involved a facility described
in subsection (a)(3) that exclusively provides abortion-
alternative services or involved a place of religious worship
and did not involve exclusively a nonviolent physical
obstruction,'' after ``physical obstruction''.
SEC. 3. DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, AND PROPERTY.
Section 844(i) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or if the building is a facility described in section
248(a)(3) that exclusively provides abortion-alternative services or is
a place of religious worship,'' before ``shall be imprisoned for not
less than 7 years''.
<all>