Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates

Full Title:
Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill, the Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2025, would require federal prisons to use a person's biological sex when deciding housing and generally bar housing people of different biological sexes together. The bill defines "biological sex" as the biological classification of male and female in the context of reproductive potential or capacity, as indicated by sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and nonambiguous internal and external genitalia present at birth. It allows a narrow exception for temporary co-location that does not include overnight housing.

The bill also amends section 501 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 so that a State must submit a certification to the Attorney General that the State uses biological sex in housing decisions and prohibits co-locating persons of different biological sexes in detention facilities to receive funds under that subpart. The certification requirement begins in the first fiscal year after enactment.

Sponsors listed are Senator Tom Cotton and Senator Shelley Capito. The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

What it means for you#

  • If you are in a federal detention facility or work for the Bureau of Prisons: housing decisions would be made using the bill's definition of biological sex, and people of different biological sexes generally could not be housed together. Temporary, non-overnight co-location is allowed under the bill.
  • If you are a state official who applies for funds under the amended part of section 501 of title I: your State would need to submit a certification to the Attorney General that it follows these housing rules to receive those federal funds starting the first fiscal year after the law takes effect.
  • If you are not involved in corrections or state grant programs: No publicly available information on direct effects.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or budget effects is included in the bill text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.