United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HR 8985 — Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024

Last action — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To provide for certain conditions on the enforcement of surrogacy contracts.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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The bill prohibits the enforcement of surrogacy contract provisions requiring surrogate mothers to have abortions and establishes jurisdiction for related civil actions in federal courts.

  • 28 U.S.C. Chapter 85

    `Sec. 1370. Surrogacy contracts "The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions where the matter in controversy is a surrogacy contract (as such term is defined in section 4 of the Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024) in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.".

    This change grants federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions related to surrogacy contracts.

  • A Federal court-- (1) may not enforce any provision in a surrogacy contract that requires the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any intended parent, party to a surrogacy contract, or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract;

    This provision prohibits courts from enforcing surrogacy contract clauses that require abortion.

  • (2) shall enforce any clause requiring the payment of a surrogate mother of any compensation agreed to in a surrogacy contract, notwithstanding any provision that requires the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any intended parent, party to a surrogacy contract, or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract, including any provision providing for--

    This stipulation ensures that financial compensation to surrogates is enforced even if the contract contains abortion requirements.

  • (A) liquidated damages based on a refusal to get an abortion;

    This clause prevents enforcement of liquidated damages related to a surrogate's decision against abortion.

  • (B) reduction of payment based on a refusal to get an abortion;

    This change prevents financial penalties against surrogates who refuse to have an abortion.

  • (C) otherwise requiring the surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of any party or agent of any party to a surrogacy contract.

    This provision further reinforces that no requirement for abortion can be enforced in a surrogacy contract.

Action History

  1. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  2. Introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 8985 do?
To provide for certain conditions on the enforcement of surrogacy contracts.
Who sponsors HR 8985?
HR 8985 is sponsored by Ogles, Andrew (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 8985?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 8985?
Track HR 8985 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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