Designating a day in May 2025, as "Disability Reproductive Equity Day".

Bill Number

H.Res. 453

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-06-04T08:06:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 453) aims to designate a specific day in May 2025 as "Disability Reproductive Equity Day." Its primary goal is to raise awareness about the reproductive and sexual health rights, autonomy, and freedoms of people with disabilities, while highlighting historical and ongoing barriers they face in accessing equitable reproductive health care.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes extensive background ("Whereas" clauses) detailing challenges for people with disabilities, followed by specific actions:

• Background on Issues:
• Approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability, with 1 in 10 of those able to become pregnant, and about 4.1 million parents with disabilities.
• Historical reproductive coercion, including the 1927 Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell, which allowed forced sterilization of people with disabilities (a ruling never overturned), and current laws in 31 states and Washington, D.C., permitting such practices.
• Higher risks of abuse for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in group care facilities, with women with disabilities nearly twice as likely to experience sexual violence.
• Barriers to reproductive health care, such as stereotypes, legal issues like guardianship (where a court appoints someone to make decisions for a person deemed unable to do so), financial and communication obstacles, inaccessible facilities, and lack of trained providers.
• People with disabilities desire children at similar rates to others but face disparities in contraception advice, prenatal care, higher sterilization rates, and worse pregnancy outcomes.
• Ongoing effects of reproductive oppression, especially for women with disabilities, people of color, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ people with disabilities.
• Post-2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision (which overturned Roe v. Wade and ended federal protection for abortion rights), nearly 3 million reproductive-aged women with disabilities live in states with abortion bans or restrictions, exacerbating barriers.
• References to existing laws prohibiting discrimination: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (bans disability discrimination in federally funded programs), Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ensures access to public services and accommodations), and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (prohibits discrimination in health programs).
• Resolved Actions:
• Designates "Disability Reproductive Equity Day" to support and promote awareness of reproductive and sexual rights for people with disabilities.
• Commits the House of Representatives to advancing these rights.
• Urges the President to uphold the aforementioned laws to protect reproductive and sexual health autonomy for people with disabilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It does not amend statutes, create new mandates, or enforce penalties. Instead, it serves as a symbolic statement of congressional intent and awareness.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Could increase public and policy awareness of reproductive inequities for people with disabilities, potentially encouraging better access to health care, reduced stigma, and advocacy for reforms. It highlights how recent abortion restrictions (post-Dobbs) disproportionately affect this group, which might spur community or state-level actions.
• On Government Agencies: No direct mandates, but it calls on the President and federal agencies (e.g., those enforcing the Rehabilitation Act, ADA, and Affordable Care Act) to prioritize disability-inclusive reproductive health policies, possibly influencing future guidance or funding.
• On International Relations: Minimal to none, as it focuses on domestic U.S. issues without referencing global standards or foreign policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• People with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries, particularly women, parents, those in congregate care, low-income individuals, people of color, and LGBTQI+ communities, who face heightened barriers to reproductive autonomy.
• Health Care Providers and Facilities: Encouraged to address training gaps and accessibility issues in reproductive services.
• Lawmakers and Government Officials: The House pledges support, and the President is urged to act, potentially influencing legislative priorities.
• Advocacy and Support Organizations: Groups focused on disability rights, reproductive justice, and anti-discrimination (e.g., those tied to the ADA or civil rights laws) may use this to amplify campaigns.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing anti-discrimination frameworks (e.g., Rehabilitation Act, ADA, Affordable Care Act) without challenging them, but spotlights unresolved issues like Buck v. Bell's legacy and state-level forced sterilization laws, which could inform future litigation under equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution (14th Amendment).
• Constitutional: Indirectly touches on bodily autonomy and due process rights (implicated in reproductive decisions), especially post-Dobbs, by emphasizing equitable access for marginalized groups without creating enforceable rights.
• Political: As a bipartisan or cross-party introduction (by Democratic representatives), it signals growing congressional focus on intersectional issues like disability and reproductive justice amid national debates on abortion access. It may foster dialogue on reforming guardianship laws or state sterilization statutes but carries no binding force, limiting its immediate political weight.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Designating a day in May 2025, as "Disability Reproductive Equity Day". — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (4 pages)