S. 636 103rd Congress Senate

Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994

Official title: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to permit individuals to have freedom of access to certain medical clinics and facilities, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 26, 1993 See on congress.gov

Health AbortionAbortion clinicsAbortion counselingAssault

More subjectsShow fewer subjects

ChurchesCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityClinicsCongressCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal investigationDamagesDestruction of propertyExpert witnessesFamiliesFamily planning and birth controlFederal preemptionFines (Penalties)Freedom of speechGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernmental investigationsGuardian and wardHealth facilitiesHospitalsInjunctionsLawLegal feesMaternal health servicesNonviolenceParent and childParties to actionsPatients' rightsPhysiciansPregnancyPublic demonstrationsPunitive damagesReligionReligious libertyRight of assemblyState lawsSynagoguesViolenceWomenWomen's health

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Everywhere this bill has been Latest 48 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

May 26, 1994

Became Public Law No: 103-259.

May 26, 1994

Signed by President.

May 17, 1994

Presented to President.

May 16, 1994

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

May 12, 1994

Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 69-30. Record Vote No: 112. (consideration: CR S5628)

May 12, 1994

Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 69-30. Record Vote No: 112.(consideration: CR S5628)

May 12, 1994

Conference report considered in Senate.

May 5, 1994

Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.

May 5, 1994

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 - 174 (Roll no. 159). (consideration: CR H3123-3135)

May 5, 1994

Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 5, 1994

On motion to recommit with instructions to conference committee Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 193 - 222 (Roll no. 158). (consideration: CR H3133-3134)

May 5, 1994

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions to conference committee was ordered without objection.

May 5, 1994

The instructions contained in the Sensenbrenner motion to recommit the conference report seek to require the managers to adopt the House language on attorneys fees, and that the court may award to the prevailing party, whether plaintiff or defendent, other than the United States, reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses.

May 5, 1994

Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to recommit with instructions to the conference committee.

May 5, 1994

The previous question was ordered without objection.

May 5, 1994

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.

May 5, 1994

Mr. Brooks brought up conference report H. Rept. 103-488 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 417.

May 5, 1994

Rule H. Res. 417 passed House.

May 4, 1994

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 417 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to S. 636. Waiving all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration. The conference report shall be considered read when called up.

May 2, 1994

Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk in Senate.

May 2, 1994

Conference report H. Rept. 103-488 filed. (text of conference report: CR H2917-2920)

May 2, 1994

Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 103-488 filed.(text of conference report: CR H2917-2920)

Apr 26, 1994

Conferees agreed to file conference report.

Apr 26, 1994

Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.

Apr 13, 1994

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Apr 12, 1994

Senate agreed to request for conference. Appointed conferees. Kennedy; Pell; Metzenbaum; Simon; Mikulski; Kassebaum; Jeffords; Coats; Hatch. (consideration: CR S4183)

Apr 12, 1994

Senate disagreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.

Apr 12, 1994

Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate disagreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.

Mar 21, 1994

Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill House requests a conference.

Mar 17, 1994

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Energy and Commerce: Dingell, Waxman, Synar, Moorhead, and Bliley.

Mar 17, 1994

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary: Brooks, Schumer, Edwards (CA), Conyers, Schroeder, Sensenbrenner, Hyde, and Canady.

Mar 17, 1994

On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by recorded vote: 398 - 2 (Roll No. 72). (consideration: CR H1520-1522)

Mar 17, 1994

The House proceeded with thirty minutes of debate on the Sensenbrenner motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to agree to the Hatch Amendment, regarding the protection of religious institutions and the First amendment rights of those who worship within them.

Mar 17, 1994

Mr. Sensenbrenner moved that the House instruct conferees.

Mar 17, 1994

The previous question was ordered without objection.

Mar 17, 1994

On motion that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 166 (Roll No. 71).

Mar 17, 1994

Mrs. Schroeder moved that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference.

Mar 17, 1994

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Mar 17, 1994

The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 796. Agreed to without objection.

Mar 17, 1994

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 169 (Roll No. 70).

Mar 17, 1994

On motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 168 - 233 (Roll no. 69).

Mar 17, 1994

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to commit to Judiciary.

Mar 17, 1994

On motion to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the text of H.R. 796, as passed by the House Agreed to without objection

Mar 17, 1994

Mrs. Schroeder withdrew the motion ordering the previous question and the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the text of H.R. 796, as passed by the House.

Mar 17, 1994

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Mar 17, 1994

On motion to table the motion to strike and insert Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 175 - 240 (Roll No. 68).

Mar 17, 1994

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to table the motion to strike and insert.

Mar 17, 1994

Mrs. Schroeder moved the previous question on the motion.

Older steps are on congress.gov: full list of actions

Votes taken on this bill 9

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
May 12, 1994	Senate · vote #112	On the Conference Report S. 636	Agreed To	69–30	See who voted →
May 5, 1994	House · vote #159	On Agreeing to the Conference Report	Passed	241–174	See who voted →
May 5, 1994	House · vote #158	RECOMMIT CONFERENCE REPORT WITH INSTRUCTIONS	Failed	193–222	See who voted →
Mar 17, 1994	House · vote #72	MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES	Passed	398–2	See who voted →
Mar 17, 1994	House · vote #71	INSIST ON AMENDMENTS AND ASK FOR CONFERENCE	Passed	228–166	See who voted →
Mar 17, 1994	House · vote #70	On Passage	Passed	237–169	See who voted →
Mar 17, 1994	House · vote #69	COMMIT TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY	Failed	168–233	See who voted →
Mar 17, 1994	House · vote #68	ON MOTION TO TABLE THE HOUSE AMENDMENT	Failed	175–240	See who voted →
Nov 16, 1993	Senate · vote #373	On Passage of the Bill S. 636	Passed	69–30	See who voted →

Amendments to this bill 9

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

6 agreed to 2 failed 1 withdrawn or other

Amendment	Sponsor	Purpose	Status	Latest action
SAMDT 1,198	–	To provide for a substitute amendment.	Failed	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,197	–	To clarify that nothing in this Act affects State regulation of abortion.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,196	–	To prevent S. 636 from being used as a vehicle to protect illegal abortions.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,195	–	To protect rights guaranteed under the First Amendment.	Failed	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,194	–	To add a cause of action relating to infringement on exercise of lawful speech or assembly.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,193	–	In the nature of a substitute.	Ruled out of order	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,192	–	To lower the maximum penalties applicable for offenses not involving force or threat of force.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,191	–	To differentiate between violent and non-violent activities.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993
SAMDT 1,190	–	To protect the First Amendment right to exercise religion.	Agreed to	Nov 16, 1993

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Latest action May 26, 1994

Became Public Law No: 103-259.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) intentionally injuring, intimidating, or interfering with any person by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction because that person or any other person or class of persons is obtaining or providing reproductive health services; or (2) intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a facility because that facility provides reproductive health services. Subjects violators to specified penalties (including up to life imprisonment, if death results) or civil remedies, except that a parent or legal guardian or a minor shall not be subject to such a penalty or remedy insofar as such activities are directed exclusively at that minor.

Authorizes civil actions by aggrieved persons, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general for violations. Specifies that in any such action: (1) the court may award appropriate relief (including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief) and compensatory and punitive damages for each person aggrieved by the violation; and (2) with respect to compensatory damages, the aggrieved person may elect, at any time before the rendering of final judgment, to recover an award of statutory damages in the amount of $5,000 per violation in lieu of actual damages. Authorizes the court to award reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses to the prevailing party, other than the United States.

Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the First Amendment to the Constitution or interfere with the authority of States to enforce State or local laws regulating the provision of reproductive health services; and (2) the Congress does not intend this Act to provide the exclusive remedies with respect to the conduct prohibited by it, nor to preempt State legislation that may provide such remedies.

Related & companion bills 3

Bill text 6 versions

Engrossed Amendment House Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed in Senate Formatted Text PDF
Enrolled Bill Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in Senate Formatted Text PDF
Public Law PDF
Reported to Senate Formatted Text PDF

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 1

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Senate

Cosponsors 1

Murray, Patty

Washington · Mar 26, 1993

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APA

U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 636: Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-636/

MLA

"S. 636: Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-636/.

Bluebook (legal)

S. 636, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-636/.

Markdown link

[S. 636: Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-636/)