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HR 8251 116th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Criminal procedure and sentencing Emergency medical services and trauma care Health care coverage and access

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit preventing access to lifesaving medical procedures and treatments, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 15, 2020 Introduced by: Wagner, Ann Republican · Missouri See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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
Sep 15, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 15, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for preventing or otherwise interfering with the ability of any individual or class of individuals from obtaining or providing a lifesaving medical procedure or treatment. However, the parent or legal guardian of a minor shall not be subject to any penalties under this bill with respect to medical decisions directed exclusively at that minor.

An individual who engages in this conduct is subject to a fine, a prison term, or both. The amount of the fine and duration of the prison term depends on whether it is a first or subsequent offense and whether the obstruction is nonviolent or results in bodily injury or death.

In addition, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action against an individual whose conduct prevented access to, or the provision of, a lifesaving medical procedure or treatment, and the Department of Justice and the Attorney General of a state or territory may also commence civil actions for violations of this bill.

What's happening now September 15, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8251: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit preventing access to lifesaving medical procedures and treatments, and for other purposes.. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8251/
MLA
"H.R. 8251: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit preventing access to lifesaving medical procedures and treatments, and for other purposes.." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8251/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8251, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8251/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8251: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit preventing access to lifesaving medical procedures and treatments, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8251/)
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