Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7177
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-10T08:08:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026," aims to prohibit abortions performed or sought primarily because of a prenatal diagnosis of Turner syndrome—a genetic condition involving a missing or partial X chromosome in females. It treats such abortions as a form of discrimination against the unborn child and seeks to protect pregnancies involving this condition by imposing criminal and civil penalties.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Defines "abortion" as any intentional act to end a known pregnancy, excluding procedures to save the pregnant woman's life, produce a live birth while preserving the child's health, or remove a deceased fetus.
- Defines "Turner syndrome" as a chromosomal disorder due to a missing or partially missing X chromosome.
- Defines "unborn child" as a human from fertilization until live birth.
- Defines "qualified plaintiff" as the woman who received the abortion, a maternal grandparent (if the woman is a minor), the father (unless he committed a crime leading to the pregnancy), or the U.S. Attorney General.
- Prohibited Acts:
- Performing an abortion if the provider knows it is sought wholly or partly due to a test, diagnosis, or suspicion of Turner syndrome in the fetus.
- Failing to ask the pregnant woman about any known Turner syndrome indicators and inform her of the prohibition if applicable.
- Using force or threats to coerce such an abortion.
- Soliciting or accepting funds for such an abortion.
- Knowingly transporting a woman across state lines or into the U.S. for such an abortion.
- Penalties:
- Criminal: Violators (or those attempting violations) face fines, up to 5 years in prison, or both.
- Civil: Allows lawsuits by qualified plaintiffs for damages (including physical, psychological, and loss of companionship), punitive damages, and injunctive relief (court orders to stop future violations). Prevailing plaintiffs get attorney's fees.
- The pregnant woman cannot be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
- Additional Requirements:
- Medical professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, counselors) must report known or suspected violations to law enforcement, with fines or up to 1 year in prison for failure to report.
- Violations count as discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, potentially leading to loss of federal funding for involved entities.
- Courts must expedite cases under this law.
- Privacy protections: Courts must safeguard the anonymity of the pregnant woman in proceedings (e.g., using pseudonyms, sealing records) unless she consents otherwise.
- Severability: If any part of the law is ruled invalid, the rest remains in effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Chapter 13 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code (crimes and criminal procedure) by adding a new section (Sec. 250) that criminalizes abortions based on Turner syndrome, which is not currently addressed in federal law. It introduces federal oversight into abortion decisions tied to specific genetic conditions, building on but expanding beyond existing protections for unborn children in cases like the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. It also links violations to the Rehabilitation Act, creating a mechanism for federal funding cuts not previously tied to such abortions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (via the Attorney General) gains authority to enforce the law and pursue cases. Federal funding agencies (e.g., for healthcare providers) may need to investigate and withhold funds from violators, increasing administrative burdens.
- On Citizens: Pregnant women diagnosed with fetal Turner syndrome may face restrictions on abortion choices, potentially leading to more births of affected children and increased need for support services. Families (e.g., fathers, grandparents) can sue for violations, providing new legal recourse but also possible family conflicts. Medical professionals must report suspicions, which could affect doctor-patient trust and increase legal risks in prenatal care.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could influence U.S. aid or policies related to global reproductive health programs if tied to federal funding.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Abortion Providers and Medical Professionals: Face criminal and civil penalties, mandatory reporting duties, and potential loss of federal funding.
- Pregnant Women and Families: Women with Turner syndrome diagnoses in the fetus are protected from certain abortions but may have limited options; fathers and grandparents (especially for minors) gain standing to sue.
- Unborn Children with Turner Syndrome: Indirectly protected by prohibiting selective abortions based on this condition.
- Government Entities: U.S. Attorney General, courts, and funding agencies (e.g., under the Rehabilitation Act) must enforce and adjudicate cases.
- Healthcare Organizations: Clinics or hospitals receiving federal funds risk penalties for non-compliance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a narrow federal criminal ban on abortions tied to a specific disability, potentially conflicting with state abortion laws (especially post-Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which returned regulation to states). The expedited court processes and privacy safeguards could streamline enforcement but raise due process concerns if anonymity limits fair trials.
- Constitutional: May face challenges under the 14th Amendment for infringing on bodily autonomy or equal protection, as it selectively regulates abortions based on fetal traits (similar to debates in laws banning Down syndrome-selective abortions). The unborn child's legal status from fertilization could intersect with ongoing fetal personhood arguments.
- Political: Advances anti-abortion advocacy by framing genetic-selective abortions as discrimination, potentially polarizing debates on disability rights and reproductive freedom. It includes severability to withstand partial invalidation, suggesting anticipation of court challenges.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-21 — PDF (9 pages)