LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025

Prohibiting the use of panic defenses: This provision ensures that no nonviolent sexual advance or perception of a person's gender or sexual orientation can be used to excuse or justify a person's conduct or reduce the severity of an offense (Section 3, subsection a).

Increased accountability: By ending these defenses, the bill seeks to prevent the mitigation of a perpetrator's responsibility for harm done to LGBTQ individuals (Section 2, subsection 3).

Preventing unjust outcomes: The bill aims to stop the use of defenses that appeal to irrational fears and hatred, which can result in unjustifiable acquittals or sentencing reductions (Section 2, subsection 4).

Improved reporting on bias-motivated crimes: The Attorney General must submit an annual report to Congress detailing prosecutions involving capital and noncapital crimes committed against LGBTQ individuals motivated by their identity (Section 4).

Restrictions on legal defenses: Under the new rules, a defendant cannot use a nonviolent sexual advance or their perception of a victim's gender or sexual orientation to excuse their conduct or mitigate the severity of an offense (Section 3, subsection a).

Limitations on evidence: While courts may still admit evidence of a defendant's prior trauma to excuse or mitigate an offense, this is subject to the Federal Rules of Evidence (Section 3, subsection b).