This bill establishes a clear and comprehensive statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and engage in contraception, free from coercion. It also protects the ability of healthcare providers to offer contraceptives, contraception services, and related information. The legislation defines contraception broadly to include actions like using contraceptives, fertility-awareness methods, and sterilization procedures, and contraceptives as FDA-approved products for pregnancy prevention or other health needs. Congress finds the right to contraception is fundamental, recognized by the Supreme Court and internationally as a human right, essential for public health and economic participation. Access to contraception prevents unintended pregnancies and benefits historically marginalized groups. The bill notes past federal efforts like Title X and the Affordable Care Act, while highlighting recent state-level attempts to restrict contraception through bans, provider refusals, and expansive abortion definitions, prompting this legislative action. The Act establishes a statutory right for individuals to obtain and engage in contraception and for healthcare providers to offer these services and information. It prohibits any governmental limitation or requirement that singles out or impedes access to contraception, unless it significantly advances access and is the least restrictive alternative. This legislation supersedes conflicting federal and state laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but does not alter federal health insurance coverage requirements. To ensure enforcement, the bill authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil actions against states or officials violating its provisions. It also creates a private right of action , allowing individuals or entities, including healthcare providers, to sue states or government officials adversely affected by violations. Courts are empowered to award equitable relief, such as injunctions, and mandate costs and reasonable attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs, while abrogating state immunity from such lawsuits.
Civil actions and liabilityFamily planning and birth controlFederal preemptionHealth care coverage and accessHealth personnelSex and reproductive healthWomen's health
Right to Contraception Act
USA119th CongressHR-999| House
| Updated: 2/5/2025
This bill establishes a clear and comprehensive statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and engage in contraception, free from coercion. It also protects the ability of healthcare providers to offer contraceptives, contraception services, and related information. The legislation defines contraception broadly to include actions like using contraceptives, fertility-awareness methods, and sterilization procedures, and contraceptives as FDA-approved products for pregnancy prevention or other health needs. Congress finds the right to contraception is fundamental, recognized by the Supreme Court and internationally as a human right, essential for public health and economic participation. Access to contraception prevents unintended pregnancies and benefits historically marginalized groups. The bill notes past federal efforts like Title X and the Affordable Care Act, while highlighting recent state-level attempts to restrict contraception through bans, provider refusals, and expansive abortion definitions, prompting this legislative action. The Act establishes a statutory right for individuals to obtain and engage in contraception and for healthcare providers to offer these services and information. It prohibits any governmental limitation or requirement that singles out or impedes access to contraception, unless it significantly advances access and is the least restrictive alternative. This legislation supersedes conflicting federal and state laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but does not alter federal health insurance coverage requirements. To ensure enforcement, the bill authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil actions against states or officials violating its provisions. It also creates a private right of action , allowing individuals or entities, including healthcare providers, to sue states or government officials adversely affected by violations. Courts are empowered to award equitable relief, such as injunctions, and mandate costs and reasonable attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs, while abrogating state immunity from such lawsuits.
Civil actions and liabilityFamily planning and birth controlFederal preemptionHealth care coverage and accessHealth personnelSex and reproductive healthWomen's health