§3. Reproductive coercion
This section amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) (1) to expand the definition of coercive behavior to explicitly include reproductive coercion—defined as control over another person's reproductive autonomy through sexual assault, force, threat of force, or intimidation (including pressuring to become or terminate a pregnancy; sabotaging contraception or reproductive health access; or coercing pregnancy outcomes)—and (2) to establish a federal private right of action allowing victims of domestic violence, including reproductive coercion, committed by a covered defendant to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and injunctive or other appropriate relief if the conduct involves interstate or foreign commerce (e.g., travel, communications, payments, or instruments in commerce; special maritime/territorial jurisdiction; or conduct affecting commerce). Covered defendants include current or former spouses, intimate/dating/domestic partners, cohabitants, those sharing a child with the victim, or familial non-intimate partners (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents). A rule of construction clarifies that the provision does not alter state court jurisdiction over custody, property, or pets; state definitions of domestic violence; or federal courts' ability to remand cases to state courts.