Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.
If enacted, SB16 would significantly affect how college campuses operate regarding health services, limiting their ability to offer comprehensive care. Institutions that provide services related to reproductive health, including abortion drugs, could face severe financial repercussions. Given the reliance of many colleges on federal funding, the potential loss could drive some institutions to eliminate or limit health services that include abortion-related care, impacting students' access to essential healthcare.
SB16, also known as the Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023, seeks to prohibit federal funding for institutions of higher education (IHE) that host or are affiliated with school-based service sites providing abortion drugs or services. The proposed legislation requires IHEs to certify annually that no such services are provided to students or employees to maintain eligibility for federal funds. This act reflects ongoing national debates regarding access to reproductive healthcare on college campuses.
The bill has sparked considerable controversy, primarily among differing political and social groups. Proponents argue that it upholds a pro-life stance by ensuring that federal funds do not support abortion services on campuses, promoting what they deem as the protection of unborn lives. In contrast, critics view the bill as an infringement on women's rights and access to healthcare, arguing it could increase barriers to safe and legal abortion services, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations—students who may already face challenges in accessing reproductive health services.