“To prohibit the interference, under color of State law, with the provision of interstate abortion services, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section prohibits persons acting under color of state law from preventing, restricting, impeding, or retaliating against (1) a health care provider's ability to provide lawful abortion services in the state to an out-of-state patient; (2) assistance to such providers if lawful in the state; (3) interstate travel to obtain such services; (4) assistance with such travel; or (5) interstate movement of any FDA-approved or licensed drug for pregnancy termination. It authorizes the Attorney General to seek declaratory and injunctive relief against violators and creates a private right of action for harmed persons, including for compensatory damages (e.g., economic losses, emotional pain) and attorney fees. The section defines "abortion service" (i.e., abortions including FDA-approved drugs, plus related health care); "health care provider" (i.e., licensed physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.); "drug" (per 21 U.S.C. 321(g)); and "State" (i.e., states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, territories, tribes). It includes a severability clause and clarifies it does not limit the right to travel or the Attorney General's existing enforcement authority.