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H.R. 36: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

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H.R. 36: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-01-03 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-01-03 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 548 (2017): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR36 (2017-10-03), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion: (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill. A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates the provisions of this bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8] · 182 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 36, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (2017-10-03)

Cosponsors on this site

Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Gary J. Palmer (R-AL), Mike Bost (R-IL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Sam Graves (R-MO), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), David Rouzer (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Jim Banks (R-IN), Mike Rogers (R-AL), John R. Moolenaar (R-MI), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), Jason Smith (R-MO), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and 122 more.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr36 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115