This bill adds two new chapters to Title 18 of the United States Code. It makes it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a State line with the intent that the minor obtain an abortion when that transport would evade a State law requiring parental notification, parental consent, or court authorization. The offense can be punished by a fine or by up to one year in prison. The bill defines "abortion," "minor," "parent," and other terms. It creates exceptions for life‑saving care, and it bars prosecution of the transported minor or the minor's parent for violations of the transportation provision (but not when the transportor committed incest). It also creates a separate offense for someone who has committed incest and transports the minor across State lines to obtain an abortion.
The bill also requires physicians who perform or induce an abortion on a minor who resides in another State to provide at least 24 hours actual notice to a parent of the minor before the abortion, or, if actual notice cannot be made after reasonable effort, 24 hours constructive notice by certified mail as defined in the bill. The physician notice requirement has exceptions, including compliance with parental‑involvement laws of the State where the abortion is performed, a court waiver from the minor's State, a signed statement by the minor that a parent is an abuser combined with required child‑abuse reporting, and life‑saving medical emergencies (with required post‑procedure notice in some cases). The bill allows parents harmed by violations of these provisions to bring civil actions, with a limited exception for parents who committed incest. The bill takes effect 45 days after enactment and was introduced and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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The bill is written to prevent taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws that require parental notification, parental consent, or court proceedings for a minor's abortion. It also creates notice requirements for physicians and allows parents to seek civil relief when those requirements are not followed.
No publicly available information.