The HOPE Act is legislation that focuses on maternal health support and establishes new requirements around abortion procedures. On the maternal health side, the bill directs federal funding toward grants that help pregnant women and new mothers. Specifically, it funds equipment for telehealth visits in rural areas and on tribal lands where medical care is hard to access, and it provides money to nonprofits (that don't provide abortions) to offer free information and referrals for things like prenatal care, nutrition assistance, and other support services to help pregnant women continue their pregnancies. The government would also create a public website listing pregnancy-related resources available through federal, state, and local programs.

The bill also creates new rules for abortion providers. Women seeking an abortion would need to sign a consent form at least 24 hours before the procedure, and that form must include information about medical risks and other details specified in the bill. For anyone under 18, abortion providers must notify at least one parent at least 24 hours before performing the procedure, with some exceptions outlined in the law. Violations of these requirements could result in civil penalties. Additionally, the bill blocks federal funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates for one year after the law takes effect, though there are some exceptions to this restriction.

Overall, this legislation combines funding for maternal health services with new procedural and notification requirements for abortion providers.

HOPE Act

Fischbach, Michelle

Health, Opportunity, Protecting life, Education Act or the HOPE Act This bill provides funding for grants and other activities related to maternal care. It also establishes informed consent and parental notification requirements for abortion providers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to (1) entities that provide maternal care in rural and medically underserved areas and on tribal lands for purchasing equipment to conduct at-home telehealth visits; and (2) nonprofits (excluding those that provide abortions) for providing, at no cost, information about and referrals for medical care, nutritional services, and other social supports to encourage pregnant women to continue their pregnancies and care for the infants. Additionally, HHS must also disseminate, through a public website, pregnancy-related resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Further, abortion providers must obtain informed consent 24 hours before performing an abortion through a form that must be signed by the woman seeking the abortion, and the bill specifies information that must be contained in the form, such as medical risks. Abortion providers must also notify parents at least 24 hours prior to performing an abortion on an individual who is under 18. The bill outlines specified exceptions to, enforcement mechanisms for, and civil penalties for violations of the informed consent and parental notification requirements. The bill also prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood of America, Inc. or its affiliates, subject to certain exceptions, for one year following the enactment of the bill.