Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 729

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-03-26T08:06:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2025" aims to restrict the provision of medication-based abortions (known as chemical abortions) by requiring the physical presence of a licensed healthcare provider. It targets practices like telehealth or mail-order prescriptions for abortion drugs, ensuring in-person medical oversight while exempting life-saving procedures.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Remote Chemical Abortions: Healthcare providers (anyone licensed to prescribe drugs under federal or state law) cannot knowingly provide, prescribe, dispense, or make available an abortion drug without:
• Physically examining the patient.
• Being physically present where the drug is administered or used.
• Scheduling a follow-up visit within 14 days to check the patient's condition.
• Penalties: Violators face a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both. This applies to actions in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.
• Exceptions: The law does not apply to chemical abortions needed to save the life of a pregnant woman endangered by a physical disorder, illness, injury, or pregnancy-related condition. It also explicitly does not affect treatment for ectopic pregnancies (a condition where the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, often requiring urgent medical intervention).
• Patient Protections: Pregnant women (patients) cannot be prosecuted under this law, nor for conspiring to violate it.
• Definitions:
• Chemical Abortion: The use of drugs to intentionally end a known pregnancy, except in cases aimed at live birth or removing a deceased fetus.
• Abortion Drug: Any medication or substance used to kill an unborn child or terminate a pregnancy (excluding live birth or removal of a dead fetus).
• Unborn Child: A human organism from fertilization until live birth (as defined in existing federal law).
• Attempts to Provide: Any substantial step toward performing a prohibited chemical abortion.
• Severability Clause: If any part of the law is ruled invalid, the rest remains in effect.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Chapter 74 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code (which currently covers partial-birth abortions under section 1531) by:
• Removing "Partial-Birth" from the chapter heading, renaming it simply "Abortions."
• Adding a new section 1532 specifically prohibiting remote chemical abortions.
• Updates the table of sections and chapters in the U.S. Code to reflect the new structure, broadening the chapter's scope beyond partial-birth procedures to include medication abortions under certain conditions.
• This introduces the first federal criminal restrictions on the method of providing abortion drugs, shifting from prior laws focused on surgical procedures.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement may need to investigate and prosecute violations, potentially increasing workload related to interstate drug distribution and telehealth regulations. It could also lead to coordination with state authorities on abortion enforcement.
• On Citizens: Limits access to medication abortions (e.g., via online consultations or mailed pills like mifepristone), particularly in rural or underserved areas, potentially requiring travel for in-person care. Patients in life-threatening situations retain access, but others may face barriers or delays.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect U.S. policies on importing or exporting abortion-related drugs across borders, influencing aid or trade discussions on reproductive health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Healthcare Providers: Doctors, pharmacists, and other licensed prescribers face new federal criminal risks for remote abortion services, potentially altering telehealth practices.
• Pregnant Individuals: Gain protections from prosecution but may experience reduced options for private, at-home abortion care.
• Abortion Clinics and Advocacy Groups: Organizations providing or supporting medication abortions (e.g., Planned Parenthood) could see operational changes; anti-abortion groups may benefit from enforced restrictions.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: Manufacturers and distributors of abortion drugs (e.g., mifepristone) must ensure compliance with in-person requirements to avoid liability.
• Federal and State Governments: Enforce the law, with states potentially aligning or conflicting based on their own abortion regulations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Establishes a federal criminal offense for certain abortion practices, enforceable across state lines via the commerce clause (which gives Congress power over interstate activities). The severability clause helps preserve the law if challenged piecemeal. It builds on post-2022 Supreme Court decisions (like Dobbs v. Jackson) that returned abortion regulation primarily to states but allows federal intervention in specific contexts.
• Constitutional Implications: Could face lawsuits claiming interference with privacy rights (under the 14th Amendment) or undue burden on interstate commerce and medical access. The patient immunity and exceptions aim to address due process concerns, but critics might argue it overreaches into state authority on healthcare.
• Political Implications: Introduced by Republican representatives, it reflects ongoing debates over abortion access post-Roe v. Wade overturn. Passage could intensify national divisions on reproductive rights, influencing future elections and state-federal tensions, without directly banning abortions but regulating their delivery method.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8]

Cosponsors (18)

Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Onder, Robert [R-MO-3], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-01-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-24 — PDF (5 pages)