Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025
The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025 amends federal law to close gaps in how domestic violence (DV) and stalking are defined and prosecuted, and to strengthen firearm restrictions for offenders. Key changes include: redefining “intimate partner” to include current or former dating partners and similar non-spousal relationships; clarifying what counts as a dating relationship; expanding protections to cover children linked to dating partners; creating a new federal category—“misdemeanor crime of stalking”—with specific elements (including the fear or emotional distress standard); and tightening firearms disqualification rules for anyone convicted of misdemeanor stalking. The bill also preserves due-process safeguards around misdemeanor convictions (counsel requirements and jury-trial considerations) and clarifies when prior convictions can be excluded or count toward firearm prohibitions. In short, the bill broadens who is protected and who can be charged federally for DV and stalking, and it makes it harder for someone with certain stalking findings to possess firearms.
Key Points
- 1Redefinition of intimate partner: expands to include individuals who are or were in a dating relationship with the person, plus others in similarly situated relationships to a spouse, and those protected by DV laws in the relevant state or tribal jurisdiction.
- 2Dating relationship defined and terminology aligned: clarifies that a “dating relationship” is a continuing serious romantic or intimate relationship; the wording shifts to “continuing serious relationship” in some places to ensure coverage.
- 3Expanded protection for children linked to dating partners: amends the definition of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to cover certain victims related through the dating partner (e.g., children of the dating partner or the parent/guardian of the victim) who may be harmed in these dating-relationship contexts.
- 4New federal misdemeanor crime of stalking: adds a defined offense that requires a course of harassment, intimidation, or surveillance that places a person in reasonable fear of harm to themselves or family/household members, an intimate partner, or a pet/animal; or that causes substantial emotional distress to those listed.
- 5Due process and civil-rights safeguards: requires representation by counsel (or a knowing waiver) for convictions; ensures that a conviction won’t count for these purposes if it was expunged, pardoned, or civil-rights restored unless restoration explicitly restricts firearms.
- 6Firearm disqualification expanded: adds misdemeanor crimes of stalking to the list of reasons a person may be prohibited from possessing firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), including after redesignations of subsections and related adjustments.