1. Home
  2. News
  3. Case Studies
  4. Research
  5. Legislation
  6. Events
  7. Videos
  8. Contact Us
  9. Bill Search
Search:

LegislationLEGISLATION | Detail


H.R. 3541: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2011

Sponsor: Franks (R - AZ)

Official Title: A bill to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race, and for other purposes.

Status:
12/1/2011: Introduced in House
12/1/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
12/6/2011: Hearing Held by House Subcommittee on the Constitution
2/7/2012: Mark up in the House Judiciary Committee
2/8/2012: Mark up in the House Judiciary Committee
2/16/2012: Reported to House
5/31/2012: House failed to suspend the rules and pass the bill

Commentary:
This bill would prohibit abortions that are “sought based on the sex, gender, color or race of the child, or the race of a parent of that child.” The proposed statute refers to this as a “sex-selection” or “race-selection” abortion. The several prohibited acts include the knowing performance of an abortion based on race or sex selection abortion; the knowing use of force or threats to injure or intimidate a person for the purpose of coercing a race or sex selection abortion; the knowing solicitation or acceptance of funds for a race or sex selection abortion; and the transport of a woman into the US or across state lines in order to perform a race or sex selection abortion. The attempt of all four of these crimes would also be prohibited. A violation of any of these 8 offenses is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, United States Code. Additionally, there is a reporting requirement for any “physician, physician’s assistant, nurse, counselor, or other medical or mental health professional” to report a violation to law enforcement or they would be subject to 1 year imprisonment and a fine under Title 18.

Legislative Update Alert

The Legislative Update provides commentary on criminal legislation before Congress.


       

Featured Legislation

Related Websites

Heritage Foundation Overcriminalized.com is a product of The Heritage Foundation.
214 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington DC 20002-4999
ph 202.546.4400 | fax 202.546.8328
© 1995 - 2008 The Heritage Foundation