A 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.

This joint resolution proposes adding an amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime. The 13th Amendment currently bans slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime, and this amendment would address that exception. The amendment would take effect only if two-thirds of each house of Congress approve it and the legislatures of three-fourths of the states ratify it. The resolution states that it is not meant to stop incarcerated people from agreeing to work, change current workplace protections in prisons, or limit a court's ability to offer community service instead of jail.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jeff Merkley Democrat sponsor
• 12 cosponsors