Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

HR 461, the "Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act," prohibits abortions performed specifically because an unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The bill amends Title 18 to make it a federal offense for medical providers to perform or facilitate such abortions, with criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison or fines. It also establishes civil remedies allowing women, fathers, or maternal grandparents to sue providers for damages, including punitive damages, while protecting women from prosecution for seeking these abortions. The law requires medical professionals to report suspected violations and includes strict privacy protections for women in court proceedings. This bill directly affects abortion providers and medical professionals who perform or facilitate abortions based on Down syndrome diagnosis, without altering broader abortion laws.