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Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Introduced: September 18, 2017 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 4, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct 3, 2017
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 548. (consideration: CR H7712-7728)
Oct 3, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 3, 2017
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 189 (Roll no. 549). (text: CR H7713-7715)
Oct 3, 2017
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 187 - 238 (Roll no. 548).
Oct 3, 2017
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Oct 3, 2017
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brownley (CA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion to seek the require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add the word health throughout section 3 pertaining to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection.
Oct 3, 2017
Ms. Brownley (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H7725)
Oct 3, 2017
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Oct 3, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 36.
Oct 3, 2017
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 36 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Oct 3, 2017
Rule H. Res. 548 passed House.
Oct 2, 2017
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 548 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 36 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Jan 12, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Jan 3, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 3, 2017
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Oct 3, 2017 House · vote #549 On Passage Passed 237189 See who voted →
Oct 3, 2017 House · vote #548 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 187238 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more.

A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

The bill provides exceptions for an abortion: (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements.

A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.

A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates the provisions of this bill.

What's happening now October 4, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 134
BARTON, JOE
· Oct 2, 2017
R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Oct 2, 2017
R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Oct 2, 2017
Garrett, Thomas
· Oct 2, 2017
R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Oct 2, 2017
R
McClintock, Tom
California · Oct 2, 2017
R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Oct 2, 2017
R
Rutherford, John H.
Florida · Oct 2, 2017
R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Oct 2, 2017
Young, David
· Oct 2, 2017
Cook, Paul
· Sep 28, 2017
Rooney, Thomas
· Sep 27, 2017
Brat, Dave
· Sep 26, 2017
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Sep 26, 2017
R
Estes, Ron
Kansas · Sep 26, 2017
Graves, Tom
· Sep 26, 2017
Handel, Karen
· Sep 26, 2017
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Sep 26, 2017
R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · Sep 26, 2017
Zeldin, Lee
· Sep 26, 2017
Gowdy, Trey
· Sep 25, 2017
Holding, George
· Sep 25, 2017
Jenkins, Evan
· Sep 25, 2017
R
Johnson, Mike
Louisiana · Sep 25, 2017
Rice, Tom
· Sep 25, 2017
Russell, Steve
· Sep 25, 2017
Harper, Gregg
· Sep 18, 2017
SMITH, LAMAR
· Sep 18, 2017
R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Sep 14, 2017
Renacci, James
· Sep 14, 2017
R
Higgins, Clay
Louisiana · Sep 12, 2017
R
Loudermilk, Barry
Georgia · Sep 12, 2017
Rooney, Francis
· Sep 12, 2017
R
Perry, Scott
Pennsylvania · Sep 8, 2017
R
Smucker, Lloyd
Pennsylvania · Sep 8, 2017
R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Sep 7, 2017
R
LaHood, Darin
Illinois · Sep 6, 2017
Woodall, Rob
· Sep 6, 2017
R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Aug 29, 2017
Labrador, Raul
· Aug 29, 2017
Marino, Tom
· Aug 29, 2017
R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Aug 29, 2017
R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Aug 29, 2017
R
Westerman, Bruce
Arkansas · Aug 29, 2017
R
Williams, Roger
Texas · Aug 29, 2017
R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · Aug 29, 2017
Hensarling, Jeb
· Aug 8, 2017
R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
Georgia · Jul 25, 2017
McHenry, Patrick
· Jul 17, 2017
Noem, Kristi
· Jul 13, 2017
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 36: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-36/
MLA
"H.R. 36: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-36/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 36, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-36/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 36: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-36/)
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