Sponsors (15)
The bill reinforces nondiscrimination protections for people with Down syndrome and provides enforcement mechanisms, but does so by restricting abortion for pregnancies with that diagnosis and imposing criminal, civil, and financial penalties that significantly affect reproductive autonomy, clinical practice, and health system finances.
People with Down syndrome and the women who carry pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome are explicitly protected from disability-based discrimination in medical decisionmaking and from being targeted for abortion based on the diagnosis.
Women and families harmed by prohibited conduct can pursue civil remedies—compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees—and have their cases expedited with anonymity protections, improving enforcement and deterrence.
The bill signals a stronger federal commitment to nondiscrimination for people with disabilities, which may reduce pregnancy-related stigma and promote inclusion for individuals and families affected by Down syndrome.
Pregnant people diagnosed with fetal Down syndrome may be denied access to abortion in many cases, substantially reducing reproductive autonomy and the ability to make medical decisions about their pregnancies.
Healthcare providers and clinic staff face increased criminal (including up to 5 years) and civil liability, raising legal risk that could deter clinicians and institutions from offering abortion-related care.
Mandatory reporting requirements and associated criminal penalties for failing to report suspected violations could deter medical and mental health professionals from discussing or providing abortion care, undermining patient-provider trust and care access.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Introduced March 21, 2025 by Ron Estes · Last progress March 21, 2025
Creates a federal crime and civil causes of action for abortions performed, coerced, financed, or facilitated when the actor knows (or fails required inquiry and therefore should know) the abortion is sought wholly or partly because the fetus has or may have Down syndrome. It prohibits prosecution of the pregnant woman, requires certain medical and mental-health professionals to report known or suspected violations, authorizes criminal penalties and civil damages, and treats violations as disability discrimination for purposes of loss of federal funding. The law includes narrow exceptions to protect the pregnant woman’s life and certain medical situations and contains privacy protections and expedited court procedures for civil cases.