H.R. 682 — Heartbeat Protection Act of 2025

This section amends chapter 74 of title 18, United States Code, by striking "Partial-Birth" from the chapter heading and establishing a new offense at section 1532 prohibiting physicians from knowingly performing an abortion without first determining, according to standard medical practice, whether the unborn child has a detectable fetal heartbeat; without informing the mother of the results; or if a heartbeat is detected. Violators are subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both. The prohibition does not apply to abortions necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury (including those caused by the pregnancy, but excluding psychological conditions); pregnancies resulting from rape of an adult woman if she obtained counseling or medical treatment for the rape or related injury at least 48 hours prior; or pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if reported prior to the abortion to a government child abuse agency or law enforcement. Physicians performing abortions under these exceptions must document compliance in the patient's medical file, including evidence from specified licensed entities, with records retained per specified HIPAA regulations; counseling or treatment under the adult rape exception may not be provided by abortion-performing facilities (unless hospitals). This section further provides that (1) mothers may not be prosecuted for the offense, related conspiracies, or aiding/abetting; (2) defendants may seek a pre-trial hearing before the state medical board on the medical necessity exception, with findings admissible at trial and trial delayed up to 30 days if requested; and (3) includes a severability clause.