HR-21 : Still Just a Bill


Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

This bill establishes requirements for the degree of care a health care practitioner must provide in the case of a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion.

Specifically, a health care practitioner who is present must (1) exercise the same degree of care as would reasonably be provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure the child is immediately admitted to a hospital. Additionally, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with the degree-of-care requirements must immediately report such failure to law enforcement.

A health care practitioner who fails to provide the required degree of care, or a health care practitioner or other employee who fails to report such failure, is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

An individual who intentionally kills or attempts to kill a child born alive is subject to prosecution for murder.

The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive under this bill and allows her to bring a civil action against a health care practitioner or other employee for violations.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2025-01-24IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
2025-01-23FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2025-01-23VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 204, 1 Present (Roll no. 27). (text: CR H335-336)House floor actions
2025-01-23VoteOn motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 216 (Roll no. 26).House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H347-348)House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 21, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Chu demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorMs. Chu moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H344-345)House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 21.House floor actions
2025-01-23FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 5. (consideration: CR H335-345)House floor actions
2025-01-03IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
2025-01-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Vote Predictions


Sponsor :

Ann Wagner [R] (MO-2)
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Crime and Law Enforcement
Related Subjects
  • Abortion
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Health personnel
  • Legal fees and court costs
  • Medical ethics
  • Violent crime
Related Geographic Entities
Related Organizations

Related Bills

See Related Bills