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HR 8394 117th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022

Introduced: July 15, 2022 Introduced by: Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jul 15, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 15, 2022
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022

This bill provides statutory authority for the right of individuals of the same sex to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct.

Specifically, the bill prohibits any state from enacting a law or regulation that infringes on any individual's right to enter into a consensual sexual relationship in the confines of their home and private life, including with respect to individuals of the same sex. (The Supreme Court held that state laws criminalizing private, consensual sexual relationships between individuals of the same sex were unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003.)

The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for violations. It also establishes a private right of action through Section 1983 lawsuits (Section 1983 is a federal statute that allows individuals to sue state or local government actors for violations of constitutional rights).

What's happening now November 1, 2022

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8394: Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-8394/
MLA
"H.R. 8394: Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-8394/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8394, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-8394/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8394: Lawrence v. Texas Codification Act of 2022](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-8394/)
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