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Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1985

Introduced: January 3, 1985 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 6, 1985
Star Print ordered S.46.
Jan 21, 1985
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1.
Jan 21, 1985
Read the second time.
Jan 3, 1985
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jan 3, 1985
Introduced in the Senate, read the first time.
Jan 3, 1985
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1985 - Prohibits Federal involvement in the performance of abortions, except Federal funds may be used for medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother or the unborn child.

Includes the following activities within the scope of this provision: (1) use of appropriated funds to counsel or encourage an abortion; (2) use of appropriated funds to reimburse or refer for abortions; (3) use of funds for research with respect to abortion; or (4) contracting for insurance which pays or reimburses for abortion.

Prohibits any institution receiving Federal funds from discriminating against any employee, applicant, or student because of such person's opposition to abortion.

Prohibits the granting of attorney fees in a civil action involving a law, ordinance, or regulation prohibiting abortion.

Provides for Supreme Court review with regard to a law, ordinance, or regulation prohibiting abortion which a lower Federal court declares unconstitutional.

What's happening now March 6, 1985

Star Print ordered S.46.

Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 46: Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-46/
MLA
"S. 46: Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-46/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 46, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-46/.
Markdown link
[S. 46: Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-46/)
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