# Plain Language Summary: Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025

This bill makes it a federal crime to dispose of fetal remains in landfills or waterways. Anyone who "recklessly" disposes of or abandons fetal remains in these locations could face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The law applies to medical facilities, clinics, and other entities that handle fetal tissue from abortions, miscarriages, or other procedures. It does not apply to cremated remains, which are specifically excluded from the law's definition of fetal remains.

The bill includes an important protection: it explicitly states that women themselves cannot be prosecuted under this law. This means the criminal penalties are aimed at healthcare providers, medical facilities, and others responsible for handling and disposing of fetal remains, not at the women who have abortions or miscarriages. The law defines "fetal remains" as any part of a human fetus that died as a result of an abortion, making clear what material falls under this prohibition.

In practical terms, this creates new federal requirements for how abortion clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities must handle fetal tissue. Currently, many states have their own regulations about this disposal, but this bill establishes a federal crime for certain disposal methods. Healthcare providers would need to ensure they're not using landfills or dumping remains into rivers, lakes, or other navigable waterways—they would need to use approved disposal methods like cremation or other compliant alternatives. The law essentially federalizes what was previously handled at the state level and creates criminal penalties for violations.

Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025

Latta, Robert E.

Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025&nbsp;This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for recklessly disposing of or abandoning fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States.The term fetal remains means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion.A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.