Sponsors (43)
The bill shifts enforcement of federal clinic-access law back to state and local authorities—reducing federal prosecutions and DOJ burden—but also removes uniform federal protections for clinic access, increasing safety risks and creating uneven enforcement across jurisdictions.
State and local governments regain primary responsibility for enforcing clinic-access rules, increasing local control over protests and clinic-access incidents.
Individuals charged under 18 U.S.C. § 248 will no longer face federal prosecution for conduct covered by that statute for cases pending or started on/after enactment.
Reduces federal prosecutorial burden and DOJ resources spent enforcing §248, potentially lowering federal caseload and associated taxpayer costs.
People seeking care at reproductive health clinics may have less federal protection against blockades, threats, and violence, increasing risks of disrupted access and safety concerns.
Protections will vary by state and locality, so victims may receive uneven protection depending on state laws and local enforcement priorities, leaving gaps where statutes are weaker or not enforced.
Individuals previously indicted under §248 with pending federal charges will have those federal charges dismissed or cannot be proceeded against under this statute, creating case-processing disruption and uncertainty for prosecutors, defendants, and victims.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Repeals 18 U.S.C. § 248, removing the federal criminal prohibition on obstructing or intimidating access to clinics.
Repeals the federal criminal statute that made it a crime to block or interfere with entry to reproductive health clinics and similar health-care facilities (18 U.S.C. § 248). The repeal removes the federal enforcement tool for prosecuting obstruction of clinic entrances and applies to prosecutions pending on or begun on or after enactment; no new funding or other program changes are created.
Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to repeal prohibitions relating to freedom of access to clinic entrances, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Charles Roy · Last progress January 21, 2025