New Bill: Representative Andy Biggs introduces H.R. 48: Ultrasound Informed Consent Act

We have received text from H.R. 48: Ultrasound Informed Consent Act. This bill was received on 2025-01-03, and currently has 3 cosponsors.

Here is a short summary of the bill:

This bill, known as the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act, proposes changes to the Public Health Service Act to ensure that women seeking an abortion undergo an ultrasound and are given the chance to review the ultrasound images before providing informed consent for the procedure.

Key Components of the Bill

1. Definitions

The bill defines several terms:

• Abortion: The intentional termination of a pregnancy.
• Abortion provider: Any person qualified to perform an abortion according to applicable laws.
• Unborn child: A member of the species homo sapiens at any stage before birth.
• Unemancipated minor: A minor under the authority of their parent or guardian.
• Woman: A female human being, regardless of age.

2. Requirement of Informed Consent

Before a woman gives consent for an abortion, the abortion provider must do the following:

• Perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman.
• Explain what the ultrasound shows at the same time.
• Display the ultrasound images so that the woman can view them.
• Provide a detailed medical description of the ultrasound, including:
• The size of the embryo or fetus.
• Cardiac activity, if visible.
• The presence of external body parts and internal organs, if visible.

3. Right to Decline Viewing

The bill clarifies that a woman can choose not to look at the ultrasound images. Neither the woman nor the provider will face penalties if the woman decides to turn away from the images.

4. Exceptions

There are exceptions to these requirements in cases of medical emergencies where an abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. In such cases, the provider must document the circumstances in the woman’s medical file.

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

• The Attorney General may take civil action against any provider that fails to comply, with potential penalties up to:
• $100,000 for the first violation.
• $250,000 for subsequent violations.
• A woman can also sue the abortion provider for actual and punitive damages if an abortion is performed in violation of this act.

6. State Law Interaction

The bill does not override any state laws that offer greater disclosure requirements or penalties related to abortion.

7. Severability

If any part of this bill is found unconstitutional, the remaining parts will still be in effect.

Relevant Companies

This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information.