Sponsor
Randy Weber
Representative · R-TX
Representative · R-TX
The bill protects pregnant people from federal criminal prosecution while creating a civil remedy for victims, but it imposes criminal and enhanced civil penalties and procedural requirements that are likely to deter providers and delay or restrict abortion access in U.S. maritime jurisdictions.
Pregnant people in U.S. maritime/admiralty jurisdiction will not be criminally prosecuted under federal law for undergoing prohibited abortions.
People who are victims of unlawful abortions (and parents of minor victims) can sue to recover money damages and attorneys' fees, creating a federal civil remedy for harmed individuals.
Healthcare providers who perform abortions in U.S. maritime/admiralty jurisdiction face new criminal penalties (up to five years imprisonment and fines), increasing the risk of prosecution for clinicians.
Abortion access for people in federal maritime jurisdiction will be restricted, likely forcing travel, delaying care, or preventing timely treatment for those aboard ships or offshore facilities.
Providers in maritime contexts are exposed to increased civil liability (including treble damages and punitive awards), raising financial risk and potentially deterring clinicians from offering care.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime to perform an abortion in U.S. admiralty/maritime jurisdiction, creates narrow exceptions, bars prosecution of the pregnant woman, and adds civil damages including treble damages.
Official title: To prohibit abortions in the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Randy Weber · Last progress February 26, 2025
Makes it a federal crime to knowingly perform an abortion within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, punishable by fines or up to five years in prison. The bill creates narrow exceptions for life‑saving care and certain rape/incest situations with documentation or waiting‑period conditions, bars criminal charges against the pregnant person, and creates civil liability (including treble statutory damages, punitive damages, and fee shifting) against those who perform prohibited abortions.