This bill establishes federal requirements for informed consent before an abortion, mandating that providers perform an ultrasound and present specific information to women at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. Its primary goal is to ensure women are fully aware of the medical risks associated with abortion and the major developmental characteristics of the unborn child. Before an abortion can be performed, providers must conduct an ultrasound , share its results with the woman, and obtain a signed Informed Consent Authorization form . This form, presented in person, must include the probable gestational age, all medical risks of the abortion procedure or drugs, and detailed developmental characteristics of the unborn child, such as heartbeat, ability to react to painful stimuli, and organ development. The form also affirms that an ultrasound was performed and its results shared. Abortion providers who knowingly violate these requirements face significant civil penalties , ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 per violation, and may be reported to state medical licensing authorities. Additionally, a woman or parent of a minor on whom an abortion was performed in violation of these rules can pursue a private civil action for damages, including monetary, statutory, and punitive damages. Exceptions to these requirements apply only in medical emergencies where compliance would pose a greater risk of death or irreversible physical impairment to the pregnant woman, and pregnant women themselves are explicitly exempt from any penalties under this Act.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Health
AbortionCivil actions and liabilityHealth care coverage and accessHealth information and medical recordsLawyers and legal servicesWomen's health
Ultrasounds Save Lives Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-797| House
| Updated: 1/28/2025
This bill establishes federal requirements for informed consent before an abortion, mandating that providers perform an ultrasound and present specific information to women at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. Its primary goal is to ensure women are fully aware of the medical risks associated with abortion and the major developmental characteristics of the unborn child. Before an abortion can be performed, providers must conduct an ultrasound , share its results with the woman, and obtain a signed Informed Consent Authorization form . This form, presented in person, must include the probable gestational age, all medical risks of the abortion procedure or drugs, and detailed developmental characteristics of the unborn child, such as heartbeat, ability to react to painful stimuli, and organ development. The form also affirms that an ultrasound was performed and its results shared. Abortion providers who knowingly violate these requirements face significant civil penalties , ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 per violation, and may be reported to state medical licensing authorities. Additionally, a woman or parent of a minor on whom an abortion was performed in violation of these rules can pursue a private civil action for damages, including monetary, statutory, and punitive damages. Exceptions to these requirements apply only in medical emergencies where compliance would pose a greater risk of death or irreversible physical impairment to the pregnant woman, and pregnant women themselves are explicitly exempt from any penalties under this Act.