H.R.3492 - Protect Children’s Innocence Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 3492, the "Protect Children's Innocence Act of 2025," aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to address genital and bodily mutilation and chemical castration of minors. The bill introduces federal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for performing or attempting to perform such procedures on minors. It also includes provisions related to female genital mutilation and defines key terms like "biological sex" and "chemical castration."
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 3492 would establish federal criminal penalties for specific medical procedures performed on minors, potentially impacting medical practices and parental decisions related to gender-affirming care. It could also lead to legal challenges based on constitutional rights and medical autonomy. The bill's definitions and exceptions would likely be subject to judicial interpretation, influencing the scope of its application.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens legal protections for minors by criminalizing certain medical procedures.
- Addresses concerns about irreversible medical interventions on individuals who may not fully understand the long-term consequences.
- Reinforces the concept of parental rights and involvement in critical healthcare decisions for their children.
- Potentially reduces the incidence of procedures that some consider harmful or unethical.
- Provides legal recourse for victims of genital mutilation or chemical castration.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May infringe on the rights of transgender and intersex individuals to access appropriate medical care.
- Could lead to discrimination against transgender youth and their families.
- May interfere with the doctor-patient relationship and medical decision-making.
- Could face legal challenges based on constitutional grounds, such as equal protection and due process.
- May create a chilling effect on medical professionals providing gender-affirming care, potentially leading to negative health outcomes for transgender youth.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. While Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), the extent to which this power can be used to regulate medical procedures performed within a state is subject to interpretation. The bill could also be challenged under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause if it is deemed to discriminate against transgender individuals. Furthermore, arguments could be made regarding parental rights and the right to privacy, potentially implicating the Due Process Clause of the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).