Judiciary Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill seeks to safeguard the ability of health care providers to offer reproductive health care services across the United States. It broadly defines "reproductive health care services" to include abortion, contraception, in vitro fertilization, and related care, education, and counseling. The legislation prohibits any individual, entity, or State from preventing, restricting, or disadvantaging providers who offer services lawful in the state where they are provided, including for patients traveling from out-of-state. To ensure compliance, the bill establishes robust enforcement mechanisms . The Attorney General can initiate civil actions against states or officials violating these provisions, and individuals or entities adversely affected also have a private right of action. Importantly, the bill abrogates State immunity under the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments for such violations, allowing federal courts to intervene. Furthermore, the legislation allocates $40 million for Reproductive Health Care Legal Services Defense Fund Grants to provide legal assistance to eligible providers facing legal issues related to these services. Another $40 million is appropriated for Reproductive Health Care Services Security Grants to enhance physical and cyber security for providers and their staff and patients. Finally, it mandates that professional liability insurers cannot deny coverage or sue providers solely for offering lawful reproductive health care services.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill seeks to safeguard the ability of health care providers to offer reproductive health care services across the United States. It broadly defines "reproductive health care services" to include abortion, contraception, in vitro fertilization, and related care, education, and counseling. The legislation prohibits any individual, entity, or State from preventing, restricting, or disadvantaging providers who offer services lawful in the state where they are provided, including for patients traveling from out-of-state. To ensure compliance, the bill establishes robust enforcement mechanisms . The Attorney General can initiate civil actions against states or officials violating these provisions, and individuals or entities adversely affected also have a private right of action. Importantly, the bill abrogates State immunity under the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments for such violations, allowing federal courts to intervene. Furthermore, the legislation allocates $40 million for Reproductive Health Care Legal Services Defense Fund Grants to provide legal assistance to eligible providers facing legal issues related to these services. Another $40 million is appropriated for Reproductive Health Care Services Security Grants to enhance physical and cyber security for providers and their staff and patients. Finally, it mandates that professional liability insurers cannot deny coverage or sue providers solely for offering lawful reproductive health care services.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.