Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB196

Introduced
1/31/23  

Caption

Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act

Impact

The implications of SB196 extend to significant changes within federal emergency protocols. By amending both the National Emergencies Act and the Public Health Service Act, this legislation strictly limits federal intervention in states' abortion laws. Essentially, if enacted, the bill would prevent federal emergency declarations that could otherwise foster abortion access or challenge state laws that restrict it. This is expected to solidify states' autonomy in managing abortion-related policies without federal oversight or influence.

Summary

SB196, titled the 'Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act', is a legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting the federal government from declaring any national emergency related to abortion. The bill is introduced with the intention of restricting the President's ability to utilize emergency powers in contexts that involve promoting or expanding access to abortion services. The bill's text is clear in outlining the definition of abortion and specifies prohibitions against actions that would adversely impact states enforcing their own abortion restrictions.

Contention

The introduction of SB196 has generated ongoing debates about the roles of federal and state governments in regulating health and reproductive rights. Critics may argue that such a bill undermines the federal government's capacity to respond to public health crises that may require comprehensive approaches to reproductive health. Proponents, however, assert that the bill strengthens the rights of states to define and manage their own abortion policies without federal interruption, reflecting a growing trend toward state-level decision-making in various social issues.

Companion Bills

US HB1143

Same As Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act

Previously Filed As

US HB1143

Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act

US SB186

Prohibiting Abortion on Federal Lands Act

US SB16

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.

US SB204

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

US SB78

Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act of 2023 This bill creates new federal crimes related to transporting a minor across state lines for an abortion. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly transport a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion without satisfying the requirements of a parental involvement law in the minor's resident state. A parental involvement law requires parental consent or notification, or judicial authorization, for a minor to obtain an abortion. The bill prohibits an individual who has committed incest with a minor from knowingly transporting the minor across a state line to receive an abortion. Finally, the bill makes it a crime for a physician to knowingly perform or induce an abortion on an out-of-state minor without first notifying the minor's parent.

US HB461

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.

US SB76

Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.

US HB862

Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2023

US HB792

Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act

US HB435

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.