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H.J.Res. 104House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

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.

Sponsored by Wm. Lacy ClayRep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO)
Introduced December 2, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:59 PM UTC

H.J.Res. 104 proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment. If ratified, the amendment would apply to all federal and state criminal justice systems, preventing any sentence that forces a person into forced labor. The change primarily affects people currently sentenced to such labor and the agencies that impose criminal penalties.

Key Provisions

  • Adds an amendment stating: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.”

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

December 2, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 2, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

December 2, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 2, 2020

IA

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 104

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 2, 2020

Mr. Clay (for himself, Mr. Richmond, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Trone, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Haaland, and Ms. Moore) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States:

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Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.

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