# Plain Language Summary: Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

This bill would make it a federal crime to perform an abortion specifically because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The law would apply to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who knowingly perform such abortions, and it would also criminalize coercing someone into this type of abortion, paying for it, or transporting someone across state lines to obtain one. Violations could result in up to five years in prison and fines.

The bill creates several ways people could be held legally responsible. Doctors would face criminal charges if they perform an abortion knowing the woman is seeking it because of a Down syndrome diagnosis, unless they first ask the woman about any test results and inform her that such abortions are now prohibited. Medical professionals who suspect violations would be required to report them to law enforcement or face up to one year in prison themselves. Additionally, the woman, the father of the fetus, or grandparents (if the woman is a minor) could sue for money damages, including compensation for emotional and physical harm, plus punitive damages meant to punish the wrongdoing.

One important protection in the bill shields the pregnant woman herself from prosecution—she cannot be criminally charged or sued, even if she sought the abortion. However, the bill would allow civil lawsuits against doctors and others involved in performing the procedure. The law also includes privacy protections for women involved in court cases, allowing them to remain anonymous unless they choose otherwise.

This legislation sits at the intersection of abortion policy and disability rights, reflecting concerns about discrimination against people with Down syndrome while raising significant questions about how such a law would be enforced and what it means for reproductive decision-making in medical practice.

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.