Second Chance at Life Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5485
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-18T17:38:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to require abortion providers to inform women seeking a chemical abortion (using mifepristone followed by misoprostol) about the potential to reverse the effects of the first drug if they change their mind, and to provide related resources and signage.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms including "abortion provider," "chemical abortion" (use of an abortion-inducing drug to end an unborn child's life), "unborn child," and "woman."
- Informed Consent: Requires providers to inform the woman (by phone or in person, at least 24 hours prior) that reversal of a mifepristone-induced abortion may be possible and that resources are available on a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website. Written discharge instructions must include a specific statement about research on reversal.
- Medical Emergency Exception: Waives requirements if a physician certifies a life-threatening physical condition.
- Signage: Mandates posting of a specific notice in facilities about reversal options, with requirements for size, visibility, and placement.
- HHS Responsibilities: Directs the Secretary to publish multilingual materials on reversal and maintain a website with accessible information (no user tracking, minimum standards for resolution and font size).
- Civil Remedies: Allows the woman, the father of the unborn child, or parents of a minor to sue for actual and punitive damages for knowing or reckless violations; includes attorney fee provisions.
- Preemption and Severability: Preserves stricter state laws; invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill adds a new Title XXXIV to the Public Health Service Act, creating federal informed consent, signage, and resource requirements specific to mifepristone-based chemical abortions. It introduces new civil liability for providers and mandates HHS to develop and host reversal-related materials and a website.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires HHS to create and maintain printed materials and a website within 30 days of enactment.
- Citizens: Provides additional information to women considering chemical abortions and enables lawsuits by affected individuals.
- Providers: Imposes compliance obligations on those performing chemical abortions in interstate or foreign commerce, effective 30 days after enactment.
No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Abortion providers (compliance and liability).
- Women seeking chemical abortions.
- Fathers of the unborn child and parents of minors.
- The Department of Health and Human Services.
- State governments (preservation of stricter laws).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The Act focuses on informed consent and does not alter core abortion regulations but adds specific disclosure rules. It includes an exception for medical emergencies and allows states to maintain or expand requirements. Severability language addresses potential constitutional challenges to individual provisions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Cosponsors (22)
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Second Chance at Life Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (9 pages)