H.J.Res. 53House117th Congress (2021-2023)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.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:33 AM UTC

H.J.Res. 53 proposes adding a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban slavery and involuntary servitude from being used as a punishment for any crime. If ratified, it would apply to federal and state criminal sentencing, ending any forced‑labor penalties. The change would affect anyone sentenced to a crime and the agencies that enforce criminal penalties.

Key Provisions

Prohibits the use of slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for any crime.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

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

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 17, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

June 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

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

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 17, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 53

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 17, 2021

Ms. Williams of Georgia (for herself, Ms. Bush, Ms. Bass, Ms. Norton, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Adams, Mr. Carson, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Foster, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Green of Texas, Ms. Lee of California, Mrs. Hayes, and Mr. Torres of New York) 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.