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S. 3290 112th Congress Senate

Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012

Official title: A bill to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or gender, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 13, 2012 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement AbortionAssault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityCrimes against women
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Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingHealth personnelLegal fees and court costsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationViolent crime
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 13, 2012
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 13, 2012
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action June 13, 2012

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 - 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 or gender of the child, (2) use force or the threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-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.

Defines "sex-selection abortion" as an abortion undertaken to eliminate an unborn child based on the sex or gender of the child.

Excludes from the definition of "abortion" actions taken to terminate a pregnancy if the intent is to save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child, remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion, or remove an ectopic pregnancy.

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 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.

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

Prohibits this Act from being construed to require that a healthcare provider has an affirmative duty to inquire as to the motivation for the abortion, absent the healthcare provider having knowledge or information that the abortion is sought based on the sex or gender of the child.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3290: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3290/
MLA
"S. 3290: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3290/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3290, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3290/.
Markdown link
[S. 3290: Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-3290/)
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