HR 7902
Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, aims to restrict the use of mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. It seeks to effectively withdraw the drug’s approval for terminating a pregnancy, establishes a federal tort liability for harm caused by these drugs, and creates a private right of action for individuals seeking compensation for related injuries or mental health harm. The bill also defines key terms related to the drug and its manufacturing.
Key provisions
- Withdraws approval of mifepristone for terminating a pregnancy.
- Establishes a federal tort liability for harm caused by chemical abortion drugs.
- Creates a private right of action for individuals injured by these drugs.
- Defines ‘covered entity’ as a manufacturer of the drug.
- Defines ‘covered medication’ as mifepristone.
- Considers mifepristone misbranded if it bears labeling suggesting use for terminating a pregnancy.
- Allows for compensatory, punitive, and attorney’s fees in successful lawsuits.
- The liability provisions take effect 90 days after the bill’s enactment.
Who is affected
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Women seeking medication abortions
- Healthcare providers administering medication abortions
- Legal professionals
- The federal government
Notable changes
- Creates a new federal liability framework for harm related to medication abortion.
Sponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7902
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To provide that the approved application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the drug mifepristone for the purpose of the termination of intrauterine pregnancy is deemed to have been withdrawn, to establish a Federal tort for harm to women caused by chemical abortion drugs, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act
.
Effective upon the expiration of 14 days after the date of the enactment of this Act:
Approval of an application submitted under subsection (b) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) for the drug mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex, and also known as RU–486) with an indication for the termination of intrauterine pregnancy, and of any application submitted under subsection (j) of such section for a drug with the same indication and for which mifepristone is the reference drug, is deemed to have been withdrawn under subsection (e) of such section.
For purposes of sections 301(d) and 304 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331(d); 334), the introduction or delivery for introduction of a drug, the approval of which has been withdrawn as described in paragraph (1), into interstate commerce shall be considered a violation of section 505 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 355).
The drug mifepristone shall be considered misbranded for purposes of sections 301 and 304 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331; 334) if the drug bears labeling providing that the drug may be used for the termination of intrauterine pregnancy or that the drug may be used in conjunction with another drug for the termination of intrauterine pregnancy.
In this section:
The term covered entity means a person that manufactures a covered medication for introduction into interstate commerce.
The term covered medication means the drug mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex, and also known as RU–486), with an indication for the termination of intrauterine pregnancy, approved pursuant to an application submitted under subsection (b) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355).
A covered entity shall be liable in accordance with this section to any individual who suffers bodily injury or harm to mental health (including any physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harm) that is attributable, in whole or in part, to the individual’s use of a covered medication manufactured by a covered entity.
An individual who suffers bodily injury or harm to mental health that is attributable, in whole or in part, to the individual’s use of a covered medication as described in subsection (b) may bring a civil action against the covered entity in an appropriate district court of the United States or a State court of competent jurisdiction for—
compensatory damages;
punitive damages; and
attorney’s fees and costs.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any State law that makes available any other remedy to an individual described in subsection (b).
This section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect any provision of section 1461 of title 18, United States Code.