Sponsors (23)
The bill strengthens privacy and reduces the chilling effect on seeking reproductive and sexual health care by limiting government use of related digital communications, but it imposes new procedural requirements and legal ambiguity that could slow investigations and complicate law enforcement and judicial processes.
People seeking or providing reproductive or sexual health care (e.g., women, patients with chronic conditions) will be less likely to have their private communications about contraception, abortion, fertility treatment, or related services used to trigger investigations or prosecutions, reducing the chilling effect on seeking care.
Technology companies, state governments, and users gain clearer procedural protections for digital privacy because applications and subpoenas targeting reproductive or sexual health information must include sworn statements and specific limiting findings.
Law enforcement agencies may be less able to access evidence in investigations when relevant information overlaps with protected reproductive or sexual health communications, potentially hindering criminal investigations.
Federal and state officials and courts face added procedural burdens (e.g., sworn statements, additional findings) that could slow, complicate, or increase the cost of lawful surveillance, data requests, and prosecutions.
Broad or vague definitions of 'reproductive or sexual health information' could create legal uncertainty, prompt disputes over applicability, and lead to withholding of evidence or more litigation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced May 6, 2025 by Ted Lieu · Last progress May 6, 2025
Prohibits federal investigators and prosecutors from using the contents of intercepted communications or compelled communications/records that include reproductive or sexual health information to start or carry out investigations or prosecutions of people who inquire about, seek, obtain, provide, or help others get reproductive or sexual health care. It adds a detailed statutory definition of “reproductive or sexual health information” and requires sworn statements in wiretap applications, court findings, and requests for compelled disclosures that the contents will not be used for those investigative or prosecutorial purposes.