Bill · H.R. 1639· House(119-HR-1639)
BOAT Act
- Introduced
- 2/26/2025
- Last activity
- 2/26/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Randy Weber
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Ban Offshore Abortion Tourism Act," or the "BOAT Act," seeks to prohibit abortions within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States. It establishes that any person who knowingly performs an abortion that kills a human fetus in these jurisdictions can face fines or up to five years in prison. The bill includes specific exceptions for life-saving medical emergencies, certain cases of rape against adults, and certain cases of rape or incest against minors. It also provides that women undergoing these procedures cannot be prosecuted. Finally, the Act outlines civil remedies that allow women or parents of minors to sue violators for damages and attorney's fees.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this make abortion easier to get?-10
The bill prohibits abortions in admiralty and maritime jurisdictions, subject only to narrow exceptions.
Would women be better off under this?-8
The bill restricts access to abortion services and imposes specific medical and counseling requirements for exceptions.
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?-5
The bill restricts reproductive autonomy, which disproportionately affects women's equality and health control.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Medical Exceptions for Life-Saving Situations: Under Section 2(b)(1), the law provides an exception if an abortion is deemed necessary by reasonable medical judgment to save the life of a pregnant woman due to physical disorders, illnesses, or injuries.
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Exceptions for Victims of Crime: Section 2(b)(2) and 2(b)(3) provide exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape against an adult woman (following specific counseling or medical treatment) or rape and incest against a minor (following a report to specific agencies).
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Legal Protection for Women: Section 2(c) ensures that a woman upon whom an abortion is performed or attempted cannot be prosecuted for the violation.
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Right to Civil Recourse: Under Section 2(d)(1) and (2), women or parents of certain minors may bring civil actions against those who violate the provisions of this section to obtain appropriate relief.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties for Providers: Section 2(a) establishes that individuals who perform an abortion in the specified jurisdiction may be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.
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Restrictions on Medical Judgement: Section 2(b)(1) specifies that exceptions for life-saving measures do not include psychological or emotional conditions.
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Requirements for Victims of Rape: Section 2(b)(2) imposes specific requirements for adult women, such as obtaining counseling or medical treatment at least 48 hours prior to the abortion, to qualify for an exception.
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Reporting Requirements for Minors: Section 2(b)(3) requires that reports of rape or incest against a minor be made to a government agency or law enforcement agency before an exception applies.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women-8Good For Children-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Abortion Access-10
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights-2
- 2/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House