S. 2985 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 8, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySeparates inmates by biological sex in prisons
This bill sets rules about how inmates are housed in correctional facilities. The federal Bureau of Prisons would have to keep inmates of different biological sexes in separate areas, except for brief, daytime situations. States would need to follow the same rule if they want to keep receiving federal grant money for law enforcement and criminal justice programs.
How it affects you
If you're incarcerated in a federal prison or a state prison in a state that accepts federal justice grants, you would be housed separately based on biological sex. State corrections systems would need to restructure their facilities to meet these requirements or lose federal funding, which could affect prison operations and services in your area.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 8, 2025)
Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2025
This bill establishes a framework to prohibit correctional institutions at the federal and state levels from housing inmates of one biological sex with inmates of the other biological sex.
Specifically, the federal Bureau of Prisons may not co-locate inmates in detention facilities if they are not of the same biological sex, other than on a temporary basis that does not include overnight housing. States must certify that they have implemented the same requirements for their detention facilities in order to receive funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2985
A BILL
Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) · Introduced Oct 8, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 8, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”