II
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3713
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 28, 2022
Ms. Collins (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To codify the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade (410 U.S. 113 (1973)) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (505 U.S. 833 (1992)).
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reproductive Choice Act
.
Purpose
It is the purpose of this Act to codify the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade (410 U.S. 113 (1973)) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (505 U.S. 833 (1992)).
Clarification of allowable State requirements
In general
A State—
may not impose an undue burden on the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability;
may restrict the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability, unless such a termination is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman; and
may enact regulations to further the health or safety of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy.
Clarification
For purposes of this Act, unnecessary health regulations that have the purpose or effect of presenting a substantial obstacle to a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy impose an undue burden.
Rule of construction
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to have any effect on laws regarding conscience protection.
Definitions
In this Act:
State
The term State includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each other territory or possession of the United States, and any subdivision of any of the foregoing.
Undue burden
The term undue burden means any burden that places a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability.