Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB1297

Introduced
4/26/23  

Caption

Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

Impact

SB1297 aims to prevent states or individuals from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers based on their provision or assistance with reproductive health services, which are lawful in respective states. It empowers the Attorney General to initiate civil actions against any state or entity that enforces limitations contrary to this bill. Furthermore, the bill allocates federal funding to support security measures for healthcare providers and creates a legal defense fund for providers facing legal challenges related to offering reproductive health services.

Summary

SB1297, titled the ‘Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act’, is a legislative proposal aimed at ensuring the right to provide reproductive health care services, particularly focusing on abortion services and contraception. The bill establishes definitions for health care providers and reproductive health care services, emphasizing that any entity engaged in these services should not face restrictions based on their provision of lawful abortion services. This aspect seeks to create a clearer legal landscape for health care providers operating in states with varying abortion laws.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate and contention among lawmakers. Proponents argue that it is a necessary measure to safeguard reproductive rights at a federal level, particularly in light of state-level restrictions and other legislative efforts aimed at curbing access to abortion services. Critics, however, may view it as an overreach of federal authority that could override local laws and sentiments regarding reproductive health care, thereby generating disputes over state sovereignty.

Companion Bills

US HB2907

Related Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

Previously Filed As

US HB2907

Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

US HB4901

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

US SB2439

Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023

US HB4796

Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023

US HB4268

Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2023

US SB2152

Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2023

US SB2544

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

US HB62

Safeguard Healthcare Industry Employees from Litigation and Distress Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a framework to limit interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services at the state level. For the purposes of this summary, interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services includes acts to prevent, restrict, impede, or retaliate against a health care provider who provides reproductive health care services, any person or entity who helps health care providers to provide such services, any person who seeks to access such services, or any person or entity who helps another person to access such services. First, the bill reduces the allocation of funds under certain law enforcement grant programs for a state that has in effect a law authorizing state or local officers or employees to interfere with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services. Second, the bill prohibits interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health care services by state or local officers or employees acting under color of law in any manner that would have a discriminatory effect on a woman, and by persons who are not state or local officers or employees and are attempting to implement or enforce a state law in circumstances affecting interstate commerce. The bill authorizes civil remedies for a violation, including damages and injunctive relief. Additionally, it authorizes criminal penalties for a violation involving the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or the infliction of bodily injury.

US HB4391

Equal Access to Reproductive Care Act

US HB12

Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.

Similar Bills

US HB4901

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

US SB1656

My Body, My Data Act of 2023

US HB3420

My Body, My Data Act of 2023

US HB2907

Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

US SR276

A resolution expressing opposition to the use of State power against people in the United States seeking essential health care, including criminalization of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care, and disapproving of State punishment of people for their pregnancy outcomes.

US SB2386

Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act

US HR561

Expressing opposition to the use of State power against people in the United States seeking essential health care, including criminalization of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care, and disapproving of State punishment of people for their pregnancy outcomes.

US SB2439

Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023