Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB686

Introduced
1/23/25  

Caption

Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for recklessly disposing of or abandoning fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States.The term fetal remains means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion.A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.

Impact

If enacted, HB686 would create a federal standard regarding the disposal of fetal remains, compelling adherence from healthcare providers and clinics performing abortions. The law is expected to align with prevailing state laws or, in cases of conflict, potentially override them if they allow for less restrictive practices. This change would ultimately influence how medical facilities manage fetal remains, prompting a review of current disposal methods and policies. As such, it represents a shift towards stricter regulatory practices in a highly sensitive area of healthcare.

Summary

House Bill 686, known as the Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025, aims to address the disposal of fetal remains following an abortion. It seeks to amend Title 18 of the United States Code by specifically prohibiting the reckless disposal of such remains in landfills or navigable waters. The bill proposes significant penalties for violations, including imprisonment for up to three years and or fines. Importantly, it explicitly states that women are not to be prosecuted under this law for the disposal of their own unborn children's remains, a provision that seeks to mitigate concerns about criminalizing women in sensitive situations.

Contention

The bill has already sparked considerable debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters argue it is necessary to uphold the dignity of unborn children and establish humane practices surrounding the disposal of fetal remains. They advocate for this legislation as a means to promote respect for life. However, opponents raise concerns about the implications for women's rights and reproductive healthcare, questioning whether the measure may unintentionally hinder access to abortion services by imposing additional regulations on care providers. Thus, the discussion surrounding HB686 encapsulates broader societal debates over reproductive rights and healthcare provisions.

Congress_id

119-HR-686

Policy_area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Introduced_date

2025-01-23

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB428

Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for recklessly disposing of or abandoning fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States. The term fetal remains means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion. A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.

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 HB7270

Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act of 2024

US SB18

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 HB175

Heartbeat Protection Act of 2023 This bill makes it a crime for a physician to knowingly perform an abortion (1) without determining whether the unborn child has a detectable heartbeat, (2) without informing the mother of the results, or (3) after determining that a unborn child has a detectable heartbeat. A physician who performs a prohibited abortion is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The bill provides an exception for an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical (but not psychological or emotional) disorder, illness, or condition. It also provides exceptions for certain pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.

US HB398

Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2023 This bill restricts research that uses human fetal tissue from an induced abortion. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting such research. Additionally, the bill applies requirements on the research of transplantation of fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes to research on fetal tissue in general. The bill also prohibits soliciting or acquiring a donation of human fetal tissue from an induced abortion, other than for purposes of an autopsy or burial.

US HB372

Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2023 This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not, subject to certain exceptions, perform abortions or provide funding to other entities that perform abortions. The bill provides exceptions for abortions (1) in cases of rape or incest; or (2) when the life of the woman is in danger due to a physical disorder, injury, or illness.

US HB454

Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 This bill makes changes to the federal law prohibiting child sexual tourism. First, the bill revises the specific intent required for certain offenses involving interstate or foreign travel to engage in or facilitate illicit sexual conduct. Specifically, this bill requires the government to prove that an individual traveled (or facilitated travel) with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct (currently, with a motivating purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct). Further, it specifies that the term intent is to be construed as any intention to engage in illicit sexual conduct at the time of the travel. Second, the bill establishes new criminal offenses for acts in furtherance of illicit sexual conduct by an officer, director, employee, or agent of an organization through his or her connection to or affiliation with the organization. A violation is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both. Finally, the bill specifies that the term sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense does not require interpersonal physical contact.

US HB6378

To permit the remains of any Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, and for other purposes.

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.