Access to Birth Control Act

Summary

Requires pharmacies that handle FDA-approved contraceptives in interstate commerce to fill in-stock contraceptives without delay, and when out of stock must promptly refer customers to a nearby pharmacy or order the product and notify the customer. It also forbids intimidation, harassment, or other obstructive behavior by pharmacy staff when customers request contraception, creates civil penalties and a private right of action, and preserves state laws that provide greater customer protections.

• Requires pharmacies receiving FDA-approved contraceptives in interstate commerce to provide in-stock contraceptives without delay.
• If an ordinarily stocked product is unavailable, the pharmacy must promptly refer the customer to a confirmed-in-stock pharmacy or order the product and notify the customer.
• Prohibits pharmacy staff from intimidating, harassing, obstructing, deceiving, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to return valid prescriptions related to contraception.
• Permits standard pharmacy exceptions (no valid prescription, inability to pay, or legitimate clinical judgment) and exempts pharmacies that do not ordinarily stock contraceptives.
• Creates civil penalties and a private right of action for enforcement, and includes a multi-year statute of limitations for claims.
• Affirms that Title VII protections remain available and bars use of RFRA to challenge the covered titles, while preserving state laws that provide greater customer protections.
• Cites data on contraceptive coverage, cost savings under the ACA, rates of unintended pregnancy, and access barriers including geographic and systemic inequities.
• Does not appropriate funds or specify a federal funding source or effective date in the provided excerpt.