Bills · HR 798
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 798Civil actions and liabilityHealth personnel
Dignity for Aborted Children Act
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION JAN 28
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses the handling of fetal remains after an abortion, an issue that is central to ongoing debates about the moral and ethical status of a fetus and the regulation of abortion procedures. If passed, it would establish a federal standard for the disposition of fetal tissue, requiring either patient-directed arrangements for burial or cremation, or provider-arranged burial or cremation within a specific timeframe.
Voters should care because this bill would change current practices at abortion clinics across the country, potentially increasing administrative burdens and costs for providers, and introducing new criminal penalties for non-compliance. It aims to ensure that fetal remains are treated with a level of dignity often reserved for other human remains. If it doesn't become law, the methods of fetal tissue disposal would largely continue to be governed by existing state laws and clinic policies, which vary significantly.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires abortion providers to offer patients the option to take possession of fetal tissue for burial/cremation or have the provider arrange for its burial/cremation.
This creates a federal mandate for how fetal remains must be handled after an abortion, giving patients direct involvement in the decision.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that if a patient releases fetal tissue to an abortion provider, the provider must ensure its final disposition through interment or cremation within seven days.
This sets a specific federal standard and timeline for the respectful disposition of fetal remains when the patient does not take possession.
PROVISION 03
Establishes civil penalties (up to $50,000) for failing to maintain patient consent forms and criminal penalties (up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fines) for failing to properly dispose of fetal tissue.
These penalties provide strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the bill's requirements for documentation and disposal.
PROVISION 04
Requires abortion providers to submit annual reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services detailing abortion numbers, gestational ages, and disposal methods.
This provision aims to increase transparency and data collection regarding abortion procedures and the handling of fetal remains nationwide.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 8
R· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
36
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 8 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 28
Introduced in House
JAN 28
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 798
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Last actionJan 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025
House BillHR 798Civil actions and liabilityHealth personnel
Dignity for Aborted Children Act
INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
8
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
