H.R. 490 · 115th Congress
Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Steve King
- Introduced
- 2017-01-12
- Latest action
- 2017-02-06 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Summary
Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a physician to knowingly perform an abortion: (1) without determining whether the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, (2) without informing the mother of the results, or (3) after determining that a fetus has a detectable heartbeat.
It provides an exception for an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical (but not psychological or emotional) disorder, illness, or condition.
A physician who performs a prohibited abortion is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.
A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.