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119-hr-1639119th Congress

BOAT Act

Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

Introduced

Summary

Bans abortions in the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States. It would create criminal penalties for people who perform those abortions and new civil causes of action for victims and certain parents.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Criminal ban on abortions in U.S. waters

If enacted, it would be a federal crime to perform an abortion in the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States. A person who does so could be fined, jailed for up to 5 years, or both. There would be narrow exceptions: to save the pregnant woman’s life due to a physical illness or injury; for adult rape if she received counseling or medical treatment at least 48 hours before; and for rape or incest of a minor if it was reported before the abortion to child-abuse or law-enforcement authorities. Psychological or emotional conditions would not count for the life-saving exception.

New civil lawsuits over maritime abortions

If enacted, a woman who had an abortion in U.S. maritime areas in violation could sue the person who performed or tried to perform it in federal court. Courts could award three times the cost of the abortion as statutory damages, plus money for medical and psychological injuries, punitive damages, and reasonable lawyer fees. A parent of a minor could also sue in specific cases, unless the parent’s criminal conduct caused the pregnancy. A winning plaintiff would get attorney’s fees; a winning defendant could get fees only if the court finds the suit frivolous. Except for that narrow fee ruling, no money could be assessed against the woman who had the abortion.

No criminal charges for abortion patients

If enacted, a woman who had an abortion in U.S. maritime areas could not be criminally prosecuted under this bill. She would also be protected from charges for conspiracy or aiding and abetting based on that abortion. This protection would apply only to the woman who had the procedure.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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