Bill > S1670

This bill, titled the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, aims to amend federal law to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of post-fertilization age, based on the assertion that an unborn child can feel pain at that stage of development. The bill outlines legislative findings that detail the presence of pain receptors and the unborn child's reactions to stimuli by 20 weeks, citing medical evidence suggesting that a functioning cerebral cortex is not necessary for pain perception. It establishes that performing or attempting an abortion on an unborn child believed to be 20 weeks or older is unlawful, with exceptions only for cases where the abortion is medically necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest against a minor, provided these incidents have been reported to law enforcement or child protective services. The bill specifies that even in these exceptional circumstances, the abortion must be performed in a manner that offers the best chance of survival for the unborn child, unless doing so would pose a greater risk to the woman's life or cause substantial and irreversible physical impairment. Violators face criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, while the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or attempted is protected from prosecution. The bill also includes definitions for key terms such as "abortion," "attempt an abortion," "fertilization," and "post-fertilization age," and makes conforming amendments to the U.S. Code regarding chapter headings.