H.R. 7177: Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026

The "Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026" is proposed legislation that aims to amend U.S. federal law regarding abortion, particularly focusing on protecting unborn children diagnosed with Turner syndrome. Here are the main points of the bill:

Definitions

1. **Abortion**: The bill defines abortion broadly to include any action taken to terminate a pregnancy, except in specific circumstances such as saving the life of the woman or producing a live birth.2. **Turner Syndrome**: This is defined as a chromosomal disorder where a girl is either missing an X chromosome or has a partially missing X chromosome.3. **Qualified Plaintiff**: This term refers to individuals who can bring legal action if an abortion is performed in violation of this law, including the woman who underwent the procedure, certain family members, or the Attorney General.

Prohibitions

The bill makes it illegal to perform an abortion when:- The abortion is sought on the basis of a diagnosis that the unborn child has Turner syndrome, including any indicators or reasons to believe the child may have the condition.- Health care providers must first ask the pregnant woman about any relevant test results or diagnoses and inform her of this law before proceeding with the abortion.

Penalties for Violations

1. **Criminal Penalties**: A violation of the prohibitions can result in fines or imprisonment for up to five years.2. **Civil Remedies**: Individuals (qualified plaintiffs) are granted the ability to file civil lawsuits against those who violate the law. This could lead to monetary damages for injuries sustained due to the violation, legal fees, and potentially injunctive relief to prevent further unlawful abortions.

Reporting Requirements

Medical professionals, including physicians and counselors, are required to report known or suspected violations of this law to law enforcement.

Legal Proceedings

The bill mandates expedited consideration of cases brought under this law, ensuring they are advanced in court to be resolved more quickly.

Protecting Privacy

The law includes provisions to protect the anonymity of women involved in any legal actions under this bill, limiting public disclosure of their identities.

Impact on Federal Funding

The bill clarifies that violations of this law may lead to the loss of certain federal funding associated with rehabilitation programs.

Severability Clause

If any section of the law is found invalid, other provisions will still remain enforceable.

Relevant Companies

None found.