Ensuring Justice for Victims of Partial-Birth Abortion Act

This bill requires the U.S. Attorney General to investigate alleged violations of the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban and to take enforcement action when needed. It also orders an investigation into the remains of five babies found in Washington, DC, in March 2022, with a detailed report to Congress within six months of the law taking effect.

Health care workers, and employees of hospitals, doctor’s offices, or abortion clinics, who know about a violation must report it right away to state or federal law enforcement. Each year by October 1, the Justice Department must publish a public report listing steps it took to inform providers about the law, how many alleged violations occurred over the past 10 years, and what enforcement actions were taken. Within 18 months, the Government Accountability Office must review enforcement from 2004–2024 and suggest ways to strengthen it. If a court strikes down one part of the law, the rest stays in place.

• Who is affected: U.S. Department of Justice; health care practitioners and employees in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and abortion clinics; the Government Accountability Office.
• What changes: Mandatory federal investigations of alleged violations; mandatory reporting by health workers; yearly public DOJ report on compliance and enforcement; federal review of past enforcement with recommendations.
• When: DOJ report on the DC cases due within six months of enactment; DOJ publishes an annual report by October 1; GAO review due within 18 months and covers 2004–2024.