Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

The Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act would establish new federal criminal offenses related to abortion when Down syndrome is detected in a fetus. Under the bill, doctors or others who perform such abortions could face fines, prison sentences of up to five years, or both. The bill would also allow for civil lawsuits seeking damages and injunctive relief against those who perform these abortions.

The bill specifically protects pregnant women from criminal prosecution or civil liability if they undergo an abortion under these circumstances. Currently in committee consideration, if enacted, this legislation would create federal restrictions on abortion based on fetal diagnosis, adding to the patchwork of state-level abortion laws that have emerged in recent years. The practical impact would depend on how courts interpret the law's scope and how it interacts with existing state regulations.