H.R. 3755 · 117th Congress · House

Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021

In Congress· Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 48. Record Vote Number: 65. (CR S826)
Introduced
Jun 8, 21
Passed House
Sep 24, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Women's Health Protection Act of 2021

This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services.

Specifically, governments may not limit a provider's ability to

  • prescribe certain drugs,
  • offer abortion services via telemedicine, or
  • immediately provide abortion services when the provider determines a delay risks the patient's health.

Furthermore, governments may not require a provider to

  • perform unnecessary medical procedures,
  • provide medically inaccurate information,
  • comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers whose services are medically comparable to abortions, or
  • carry out all services connected to an abortion.

In addition, governments may not (1) require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining such services, or (2) prohibit abortion services before fetal viability or after fetal viability when a provider determines the pregnancy risks the patient's life or health.

The bill also prohibits other governmental measures that are similar to the bill's specified restrictions or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless a government demonstrates that the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means.

The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.

The bill applies to restrictions imposed both prior and subsequent to the bill's enactment.

Previous Versions

00Jun 8, 2021

Women's Health Protection Act of 2021

This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services.

Specifically, governments may not limit a provider's ability to

  • prescribe certain drugs,
  • offer abortion services via telemedicine, or
  • immediately provide abortion services when the provider determines a delay risks the patient's health.

Furthermore, governments may not require a provider to

  • perform unnecessary medical procedures,
  • provide medically inaccurate information,
  • comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers whose services are medically comparable to abortions, or
  • carry out all services connected to an abortion.

In addition, governments may not (1) require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining such services, or (2) prohibit abortion services before fetal viability or after fetal viability when a provider determines the pregnancy risks the patient's life or health.

The bill also prohibits other governmental measures that are similar to the bill's specified restrictions or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless a government demonstrates that the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means.

The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.

The bill applies to restrictions imposed both prior and subsequent to the bill's enactment.

Action Timeline

23
  1. FEB 28, 2022Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S819)

  2. FEB 28, 2022Floor

    Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 48. Record Vote Number: 65. (CR S826)

    46Yea
    48Nay
    0NV
  3. FEB 17, 2022Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S797)

  4. FEB 17, 2022Floor

    Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S797)

  5. FEB 17, 2022Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (CR S797)

  6. SEP 29, 2021Calendars

    Read the second time

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 139.

  7. SEP 28, 2021Calendars

    Read the first time

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

  8. SEP 27, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  9. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H

    Res. 667. (consideration: CR H5139-5159)

    5139Yea
    5159Nay
    0NV
  10. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R

    3755, H.R. 4350 and H.R. 5305. Rule provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3755; one hour of debate on H.R. 4350, with consideration under a structured rule; and one hour of debate on H.R. 5305, with consideration under a closed rule. The rule provides that proceedings may be postponed through October 1, 2021, on measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 26, July 27, or September 21, 2021 and on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is further amended by striking "September 22, 2021" and inserting "October 27, 2021".

  11. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3755.

  12. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  13. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    Ms

    Letlow moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H5157)

  14. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  15. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #294

    210 - 219 (Roll no. 294).

    210Yea
    219Nay
    0NV
  16. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #295

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 211 (Roll no. 295).

    218Yea
    211Nay
    0NV
  17. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #295

    218 - 211 (Roll no. 295).

    218Yea
    211Nay
    0NV
  18. SEP 24, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  19. SEP 21, 2021Floor

    Rules Committee Resolution H

    Res. 667 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3755, H.R. 4350 and H.R. 5305. Rule provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3755; one hour of debate on H.R. 4350, with consideration under a structured rule; and one hour of debate on H.R. 5305, with consideration under a closed rule. The rule provides that proceedings may be postponed through October 1, 2021, on measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 26, July 27, or September 21, 2021 and on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is further amended by striking "September 22, 2021" and inserting "October 27, 2021".

  20. JUN 09, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  21. JUN 08, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  22. JUN 08, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  23. JUN 08, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Committees

2

Health Subcommittee

hsif14

Referred: Jun 9, 2021

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Jun 8, 2021

Active