Skip to main content
HR 3803 112th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Abortion Civil actions and liability Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation District of Columbia Federal preemption Government information and archives Health information and medical records Health personnel Judicial procedure and administration Legal fees and court costs Medical ethics Right of privacy Women's health

District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Introduced: March 21, 2012 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 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 31, 2012
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 220 - 154, 2 Present (Roll no. 539).
Jul 31, 2012
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5450)
Jul 31, 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.
Jul 31, 2012
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3803.
Jul 31, 2012
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5440-5448; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5440-5442)
Jul 31, 2012
Mr. Franks (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 31, 2012
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 461.
Jul 31, 2012
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Jul 31, 2012
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-640, Part I.
Jul 18, 2012
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 14.
Jul 18, 2012
Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
Jul 18, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 16, 2012
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Discharged.
May 17, 2012
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jan 25, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jan 25, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 23, 2012
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 23, 2012
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 31, 2012 House · vote #539 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Failed 220154 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

District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any person from performing or attempting to perform an abortion within the District of Columbia except in conformity with this Act's requirements.

Requires the physician to first make a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child, or reasonably rely upon such a determination made by another physician, by making inquiries of the pregnant woman and performing such medical examinations and tests as a reasonably prudent physician would consider necessary.

Prohibits the abortion from being performed if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater. Makes an exception where necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, excluding psychological or emotional conditions. Permits a physician to terminate a pregnancy under such exception only in the manner which provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of the death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman than would other available methods.

Prescribes penalties for violations. Bars prosecution of a woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of this Act, but authorizes such a woman or the father or maternal grandparent of the unborn child to obtain appropriate relief through a civil action. Provides for injunctive relief to prevent violations. Sets forth specified privacy protections in court proceedings for the woman upon whom an abortion has been performed.

Requires any physician who performs an abortion within the District to report it to the Department of Health of the District of Columbia, which shall issue annual public reports.

What's happening now July 31, 2012

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 220 - 154, 2 Present (Roll no. 539).

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 151
LOBIONDO, FRANK
· Jul 25, 2012
Tipton, Scott
· Jul 25, 2012
R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Jul 23, 2012
HASTINGS, DOC
· Jul 23, 2012
Mack, Connie
· Jul 23, 2012
R
Webster, Daniel
Florida · Jul 23, 2012
Lance, Leonard
· Jul 17, 2012
Nunes, Devin
· Jul 13, 2012
Paulsen, Erik
· Jul 13, 2012
BARTON, JOE
· Jun 29, 2012
ROHRABACHER, DANA
· Jun 29, 2012
Boren, Dan
· Jun 28, 2012
Reed, Tom
· Jun 28, 2012
PLATTS, TODD
· Jun 27, 2012
ROS-LEHTINEN, ILEANA
· Jun 27, 2012
Denham, Jeff
· Jun 12, 2012
Shuster, Bill
· Jun 7, 2012
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· Jun 5, 2012
MILLER, GARY
· May 18, 2012
REHBERG, DENNY
· May 18, 2012
Brooks, Mo
· May 16, 2012
Hensarling, Jeb
· May 16, 2012
R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · May 16, 2012
WHITFIELD, EDWARD
· May 16, 2012
R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · May 16, 2012
R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · May 9, 2012
GALLEGLY, ELTON
· May 9, 2012
LEWIS, JERRY
· May 9, 2012
R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Apr 26, 2012
CRENSHAW, ANDER
· Apr 26, 2012
MICA, JOHN
· Apr 26, 2012
Price, Tom
· Apr 26, 2012
Renacci, James
· Apr 26, 2012
R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Apr 26, 2012
R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Apr 26, 2012
Coffman, Mike
· Apr 19, 2012
CULBERSON, JOHN
· Apr 17, 2012
R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Apr 17, 2012
Garrett, Scott
· Apr 17, 2012
LATOURETTE, STEVEN
· Apr 17, 2012
Poe, Ted
· Apr 17, 2012
STEARNS, CLIFF
· Apr 17, 2012
TIBERI, PATRICK
· Apr 17, 2012
Davis, Geoff
· Mar 29, 2012
Labrador, Raul
· Mar 29, 2012
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Mar 29, 2012
R
McClintock, Tom
California · Mar 29, 2012
Rooney, Thomas
· Mar 29, 2012
Rokita, Todd
· Mar 26, 2012
Campbell, John
· Mar 21, 2012
Page 1 of 4 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3803: District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3803/
MLA
"H.R. 3803: District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3803/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3803, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3803/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3803: District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3803/)
Report a problem