Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1645
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Women’s Health Protection Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on May 23, 2019
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 23, 2019
Latest Action
May 23, 2019
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1645
Congress
116
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
California
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Michigan
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Montana
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
Oregon
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Wisconsin
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Women's Health Protection Act of 2019

This bill prohibits state or local governments from imposing certain restrictions on access to abortion services. Specifically, state or local government may not require

  • unnecessary tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services,
  • the same health care provider who provides abortion services to perform such tests or procedures,
  • providers to offer medically inaccurate information to patients before or during abortion services,
  • providers to refrain from prescribing certain drugs,
  • certain hospital facility transfer agreements,
  • one or more medically unnecessary in-person visits, or
  • patients to disclose the reason for seeking abortion services.

The bill also prohibits limitations or requirements that both single out and impede access to abortion services based on a number of factors (e.g., restrictions that are reasonably likely to decrease the availability of abortion services in a state). A state or local government also may not prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability nor prohibit abortions after fetal viability in cases where the health care provider determines that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the patient's life or health.

Additionally, the Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to prospectively enjoin a limitation or restriction that is prohibited by this bill. The bill further requires the government defending such a limitation or restriction to show that (1) it significantly advances the safety of abortion services or patient health, and (2) such advancement cannot be met by a less-restrictive measure.

Text (1)
Actions (2)
05/23/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
05/23/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Nov 1, 2022 6:02:35 AM