Legis Daily

SAD Act

USA119th CongressS-589| Senate 
| Updated: 2/13/2025
Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (12)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act," or "SAD Act," seeks to combat deceptive advertising related to abortion services. It specifically prohibits any person from misrepresenting the reproductive health services they offer, such as falsely claiming to provide contraception, abortion services, or referrals for such services. The bill also makes it unlawful to misrepresent the employment of or access to licensed medical personnel. This legislation addresses concerns that organizations, often referred to as crisis pregnancy centers, disseminate inaccurate information and mislead individuals seeking reproductive healthcare, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these prohibitions, including the authority to promulgate necessary regulations. Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts, allowing the FTC to bring civil actions for various remedies such as injunctions, damages, restitution, and civil penalties. Penalties can reach up to $100,000 per violation (adjusted for inflation) or 50 percent of the entity's preceding 12-month revenue . Notably, the FTC's enforcement powers under this Act extend to nonprofit organizations, which are often exempt from certain FTC jurisdiction. The Commission is also required to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing its enforcement actions and any new regulations.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4469
SAD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1231
SAD Act
Jan 31, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-846
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4469
    SAD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1231
    SAD Act


  • January 31, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-846
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-846: SAD Act
AbortionCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightFamily planning and birth controlFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Marketing and advertisingSex and reproductive healthWomen's health

SAD Act

USA119th CongressS-589| Senate 
| Updated: 2/13/2025
The "Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act," or "SAD Act," seeks to combat deceptive advertising related to abortion services. It specifically prohibits any person from misrepresenting the reproductive health services they offer, such as falsely claiming to provide contraception, abortion services, or referrals for such services. The bill also makes it unlawful to misrepresent the employment of or access to licensed medical personnel. This legislation addresses concerns that organizations, often referred to as crisis pregnancy centers, disseminate inaccurate information and mislead individuals seeking reproductive healthcare, particularly in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these prohibitions, including the authority to promulgate necessary regulations. Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts, allowing the FTC to bring civil actions for various remedies such as injunctions, damages, restitution, and civil penalties. Penalties can reach up to $100,000 per violation (adjusted for inflation) or 50 percent of the entity's preceding 12-month revenue . Notably, the FTC's enforcement powers under this Act extend to nonprofit organizations, which are often exempt from certain FTC jurisdiction. The Commission is also required to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing its enforcement actions and any new regulations.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4469
SAD Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1231
SAD Act
Jan 31, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-846
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4469
    SAD Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1231
    SAD Act


  • January 31, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-846
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (12)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-846: SAD Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AbortionCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightFamily planning and birth controlFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Marketing and advertisingSex and reproductive healthWomen's health