Ultrasounds Save Lives Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require a mandatory ultrasound and in-person informed consent before most abortions, and would create federal penalties plus a private right of action for failures to follow the rule. It would also require providers to keep the signed consent form in the patient record under federal record-retention rules.
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- Patients and parents: A woman (or a parent of a minor) would have to receive the ultrasound results and sign an Informed Consent Authorization in person at least 24 hours before the procedure; the form must state probable gestational age in completed days, medical risks, and major developmental characteristics including heartbeat and organ development.
- Providers and staff: Abortion providers and other medical personnel would be subject to criminal and civil penalties and civil enforcement by the Attorney General; civil penalties range from $100,000 to $150,000 for a first proceeding and $150,001 to $250,000 for subsequent proceedings, and state medical licensing authorities would be notified.
- Legal remedies and state law: The bill creates a private right of action for women or parents of minors to seek damages including psychological and physical harms, statutory damages equal to three times the cost of the abortion, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees under specified conditions. Federal preemption is limited to instances where state law requires broader disclosure or penalties than this bill; state informed-consent rules may still be used if provided at least 24 hours before the abortion.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New private lawsuits and damages
If enacted, a woman or a parent of a minor could sue a provider for violating the section. Courts could award money for physical and psychological injuries, punitive damages, and statutory damages equal to three times the cost of the abortion. A prevailing plaintiff would get reasonable attorney's fees. No statutory or other damages would be allowed if the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct.
Federal fines and state law effects
If enacted, the Attorney General could sue providers in federal court and seek civil penalties for violations. For a first adjudicated violation, courts could fine $100,000 to $150,000. For subsequent adjudicated violations, courts could fine $150,001 to $250,000 each. The Attorney General would have to notify the state medical licensing authority when a penalty is assessed. The bill would not override state laws that require more extensive disclosure or harsher penalties.
New in-person ultrasound and consent
If enacted, the bill would require an ultrasound and that results be shared before any abortion, except in defined medical emergencies. Providers would have to present an in-person consent form at least 24 hours before the abortion. The form would state gestational age in completed days, medical risks, fetal development details, and that an ultrasound was done. The woman, the provider performing or attempting the abortion, and a witness would have to sign the form in person. The bill would also define key terms such as "abortion", "perform" (including prescribing), "minor", and "woman" for how these rules apply.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
IL • R
Cosponsors
Babin
TX • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Moore (WV)
WV • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]
TN • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
NY • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]
MD • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Harris (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov