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H.R. 490: Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019

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H.R. 490: Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019

116th Congress · introduced 2019-01-11 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-01-11 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. 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

Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019

Plain summary

Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019 This bill makes it a crime for a physician to knowingly perform an abortion (1) without determining whether the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, (2) without informing the mother of the results, or (3) after determining that a fetus has a detectable heartbeat. It provides an exception for an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical (but not psychological or emotional) disorder, illness, or condition. A physician who performs a prohibited abortion is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4] · 101 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Thomas Massie (R-KY), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Gary J. Palmer (R-AL), Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (R-TN), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Andy Harris (R-MD), J. French Hill (R-AR), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (R-AR), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), Jim Banks (R-IN), Scott Perry (R-PA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Roger Williams (R-TX), John R. Carter (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Austin Scott (R-GA), David Kustoff (R-TN), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), Brian Babin (R-TX), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Tom Emmer (R-MN), John H. Rutherford (R-FL), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Steve Womack (R-AR), Don Bacon (R-NE), John R. Moolenaar (R-MI) and 41 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

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-cong116-hr490 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116