Sponsors (22)
The bill strengthens federal protections and support for people seeking lawful reproductive care and for providers who deliver it, expanding access and safety but increasing federal‑state legal conflict, litigation risk, and federal spending while leaving some legal ambiguities that could delay or chill aspects of care.
People seeking lawful reproductive care (including contraception, IVF, abortion, and telehealth services) gain clearer federal protection to access those services across state lines and from providers in states where the care is lawful.
Health care providers and their staff receive stronger legal safeguards: clearer definitions of protected providers, the ability to seek federal enforcement (DOJ suits and private injunctive relief), funded legal defense and education to reduce deterrence from offering lawful reproductive care.
Providers can get federal grants to improve physical security, staff training, and cyberdefenses to better protect staff, patients, and patient data at facilities that provide or refer for abortion or other reproductive services.
Patients and providers face increased legal uncertainty and likely litigation because terms like 'affect commerce,' 'assisting,' and 'medically accurate' are ambiguous and invite court challenges over scope and constitutionality.
The bill creates and escalates federal–state conflict by authorizing DOJ suits and private injunctions against state or local reproductive restrictions, which may strip states of enforcement tools and provoke extensive litigation.
Some providers could remain excluded or face chilling effects if the 'would be licensed but for' clause or the 'medically accurate' standard is contested, leaving gaps in who is protected and potentially chilling counseling or nonprocedural services.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Prevents states and others from blocking or penalizing providers of reproductive health care lawful in the state; funds legal aid ($40M) and security grants ($40M).
Official title: Ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 24, 2026 by Patty Murray · Last progress June 24, 2026
Blocks states, officials, and private actors from stopping or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are lawful where provided, including abortion, contraception, and IVF. Creates enforcement pathways in federal court, allows private suits, and authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctions and recover fees for prevailing plaintiffs. Provides $40 million to the Department of Justice for legal-assistance grants and $40 million to HHS for security grants for providers and facilities; forbids states from using federal funds to pursue legal or licensing actions against providers for care lawful in the state; restricts insurers from denying or suing over professional liability coverage for lawful reproductive care.