Prohibit Slavery as Punishment

Full Title:
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

Summary#

This joint resolution would propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. The resolution was introduced in the United States Senate, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Listed sponsors include Senators Jeff Merkley, Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Mazie Hirono, Edward Markey, Alex Padilla, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, and Ron Wyden.

What it means for you#

If the proposed amendment is approved through the constitutional amendment process and becomes part of the Constitution, it would make it unconstitutional to use slavery or involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment. No publicly available information on how or when that change would be implemented or what immediate effects it would have for individuals, prisons, or courts is included in the provided material.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The sponsors listed in the bill metadata support proposing this constitutional amendment. The resolution originated in the U.S. Senate and is under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.