BOAT Act

This bill would ban abortions in areas under U.S. admiralty and maritime authority, such as at sea under U.S. jurisdiction. It targets “offshore abortion tourism,” aiming to stop abortions performed on vessels or other places covered by U.S. maritime law.

What this could mean day to day: people would not be able to travel by boat to get an abortion within U.S.-controlled maritime areas, and medical providers on ships could not offer abortion services there.

• Who is affected: Patients seeking abortions at sea; health care providers and ship operators in areas under U.S. maritime jurisdiction.
• What changes: Abortion procedures would be prohibited in the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States.