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Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

7/25/2025, 12:11 PM

Summary of Bill S 2196

This bill, introduced in the 119th session of Congress, aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to expand the definition of an intimate partner to include individuals involved in dating relationships.

Congressional Summary of S 2196

Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

This bill extends federal restrictions on the receipt, possession, shipment, and transportation of firearms and ammunition to new types of stalking and domestic violence offenders.

Specifically, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of stalking. The term misdemeanor crime of stalking means a federal, state, tribal, or local offense involving harassment, intimidation, or surveillance that (1) causes emotional distress; or (2) places a person in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, an immediate family member, a current or former cohabitant, an intimate partner, or a pet.

Additionally, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who are subject to a domestic violence protection order that restrains them from harassing, stalking, or threatening a current or former dating partner (regardless of when the relationship occurred) or an individual similarly situated to a spouse. Currently, the restrictions only apply if the domestic violence protection order restrains the individual from harassing, stalking, or threatening a co-parent, a current or former spouse, or a current or former cohabitant.

Finally, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who commit a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against the child of a current or recent former dating partner. Currently, the restrictions only apply if the offense is committed against a current or recent former dating partner.

Current Status of Bill S 2196

Bill S 2196 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 26, 2025. Bill S 2196 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on June 26, 2025.  Bill S 2196's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of June 26, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 2196

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
15
Democrat Cosponsors
13
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
2

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 2196

Primary Policy Focus

Crime and Law Enforcement

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 2196

A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to define intimate partner to include someone with whom there is or was a dating relationship, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to define intimate partner to include someone with whom there is or was a dating relationship, and for other purposes.

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