Skip to main content
HR 3541 112th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Abortion Assault and harassment offenses Civil actions and liability Crimes against women Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal justice information and records Criminal procedure and sentencing Health personnel Legal fees and court costs Racial and ethnic relations Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination Violent crime

Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012

Introduced: December 1, 2011 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 31, 2012
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 246 - 168 (Roll no. 299).
May 31, 2012
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3289-3290)
May 30, 2012
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 30, 2012
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3541.
May 30, 2012
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3180-3191; text of measure as reported in House: CR H3180-3182)
May 30, 2012
Mr. Franks (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 29, 2012
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 349.
May 29, 2012
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-496.
Feb 16, 2012
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 13.
Feb 16, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 8, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 7, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 2, 2012
Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
Dec 6, 2011
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Dec 5, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Dec 1, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 1, 2011
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 31, 2012 House · vote #299 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Failed 246168 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 - (Sec. 3) Imposes criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly or knowingly attempts to: (1) perform an abortion knowing that the abortion is sought based on the sex, gender, color or race of the child, or the race of a parent; (2) use force or the threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection or race-selection abortion; (3) solicit or accept funds for the performance of such an abortion; or (4) transport a woman into the United States or across a state line for the purpose of obtaining such an abortion.

Requires such violations or attempted violations to result in fines under the federal criminal code, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Authorizes civil actions, for verifiable money damages for injuries and punitive damages, by: (1) fathers, or maternal grandparents if the mother is an unemancipated minor, of unborn children who are the subject of an abortion performed or attempted through any of the above violations; and (2) women upon whom an abortion has been performed with a knowing or attempted use of force or threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection or race-selection abortion.

Authorizes, to prevent an abortion provider from performing or attempting further abortions in violation of this Act, injunctive relief to be obtained by the women upon whom such an abortion is performed or attempted, spouses or parents of a woman upon whom such an abortion is performed, or the Attorney General (DOJ).

Deems a violation of this Act to be prohibited discrimination under title VI (Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Violators of title VI lose federal funding.)

Requires a medical or mental health professional to report known or suspected violations to law enforcement authorities. Imposes criminal penalties for a failure to so report.

Directs federal courts to expedite the disposition of any matter brought under this Act.

Prohibits a woman having such an abortion from being prosecuted or held civilly liable.

Directs courts to: (1) make such orders as necessary to protect the anonymity of any woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted if she does not give her written consent to such disclosure; and (2) include with any such order specific written findings explaining why the anonymity of the woman must be preserved from public disclosure, how the order is essential and narrowly tailored to serve that interest, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists. Requires, in the absence of such a woman's written consent, that any party, other than a public official, who brings an action under this Act do so under a pseudonym.

Defines "abortion" as the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman, with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the unborn child, unless the act is intended to: (1) save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child, (2) remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion, or (3) remove an ectopic pregnancy.

(Sec. 4) Declares that, if any portion or application of this Act is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the portions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application.

What's happening now May 31, 2012

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 246 - 168 (Roll no. 299).

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 65
R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · May 16, 2012
LOBIONDO, FRANK
· May 9, 2012
CULBERSON, JOHN
· Apr 17, 2012
Palazzo, Steven
· Apr 17, 2012
Gingrey, Phil
· Feb 29, 2012
Olson, Pete
· Feb 29, 2012
R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Feb 29, 2012
GALLEGLY, ELTON
· Feb 8, 2012
SENSENBRENNER, F.
· Feb 8, 2012
Austria, Steve
· Feb 3, 2012
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· Feb 3, 2012
Hunter, Duncan
· Feb 3, 2012
R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Jan 31, 2012
Conaway, K.
· Jan 31, 2012
JOHNSON, SAM
· Jan 31, 2012
R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Jan 31, 2012
Marchant, Kenny
· Jan 31, 2012
R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · Jan 27, 2012
Gowdy, Trey
· Jan 23, 2012
Rokita, Todd
· Jan 23, 2012
Alexander, Rodney
· Dec 12, 2011
Duffy, Sean
· Dec 12, 2011
HERGER, WALLY
· Dec 12, 2011
Poe, Ted
· Dec 12, 2011
R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · Dec 6, 2011
King, Steve
· Dec 6, 2011
AKIN, W.
· Dec 1, 2011
BARTLETT, ROSCOE
· Dec 1, 2011
Bishop, Rob
· Dec 1, 2011
Black, Diane
· Dec 1, 2011
R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Dec 1, 2011
Boren, Dan
· Dec 1, 2011
BRADY, KEVIN
· Dec 1, 2011
BURTON, DAN
· Dec 1, 2011
R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Dec 1, 2011
R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Dec 1, 2011
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Dec 1, 2011
Farenthold, Blake
· Dec 1, 2011
Fleming, John
· Dec 1, 2011
Fortenberry, Jeff
· Dec 1, 2011
Garrett, Scott
· Dec 1, 2011
Graves, Tom
· Dec 1, 2011
R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Dec 1, 2011
R
Huizenga, Bill
Michigan · Dec 1, 2011
Hultgren, Randy
· Dec 1, 2011
R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Dec 1, 2011
R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Dec 1, 2011
R
Lummis, Cynthia M.
Wyoming · Dec 1, 2011
MANZULLO, DONALD
· Dec 1, 2011
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Dec 1, 2011
Page 1 of 2 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3541: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3541/
MLA
"H.R. 3541: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3541/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3541, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3541/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3541: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3541/)
Report a problem