Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act

Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable gestational age of the fetus is 15 weeks or more.

A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is 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.

Bill 117 HR 8814, also known as the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to prohibit late-term abortions on unborn children who are capable of feeling pain.

The bill defines a "pain-capable unborn child" as a fetus that is at least 20 weeks post-fertilization or later. It states that no abortion shall be performed on a fetus at this stage unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.

The bill also requires that healthcare providers performing abortions on fetuses at 20 weeks post-fertilization or later must first determine the gestational age of the fetus. If the fetus is determined to be at least 20 weeks post-fertilization, the provider must ensure that the fetus does not feel pain during the procedure. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for criminal penalties for healthcare providers who violate the provisions of the act. It also allows for civil actions to be brought against providers who perform abortions in violation of the act. Overall, the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act aims to protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from being subjected to late-term abortions, while also providing exceptions in cases where the life of the mother is at risk or in cases of rape or incest.