A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for other purposes.

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more.

A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements.

A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov