This bill amends federal law to address the transportation of minors across state lines for abortions, specifically targeting situations that circumvent parental involvement laws in the minor's home state. It establishes new federal offenses and notification requirements for both individuals who transport minors and physicians who perform abortions on out-of-state minors. One key provision makes it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a state line with the intent to obtain an abortion, if this action abridges a parent's right under a parental involvement law in the minor's state of residence. Violators face fines or imprisonment up to one year. Exceptions are made for abortions necessary to save the minor's life, and minors or their parents are protected from prosecution under this section. Affirmative defenses are available if the defendant reasonably believed parental consent or notification occurred, or if a court authorized the abortion. The bill also includes a specific offense for individuals who have committed incest with a minor and transport them across state lines for an abortion. Furthermore, parents who suffer harm from a violation of these provisions may pursue a civil action, unless that parent committed incest with the minor. Another central provision requires any physician performing an abortion on a minor who is a resident of a different state to provide at least 24 hours of actual or constructive notice to a parent. Failure to comply with this notification requirement can result in fines or imprisonment. This mandate aims to ensure parental awareness even when a minor travels out-of-state for the procedure. Several exceptions to the physician notification requirement are outlined. These include instances where the performing state's parental involvement law is followed, a court in the minor's home state has waived notification, or the minor declares abuse by a parent and authorities are notified. An exception also applies for life-saving abortions, provided parents are notified post-procedure, or if a parent physically accompanies the minor and provides documentation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Crime and Law Enforcement
Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act
USA119th CongressS-3650| Senate
| Updated: 1/15/2026
This bill amends federal law to address the transportation of minors across state lines for abortions, specifically targeting situations that circumvent parental involvement laws in the minor's home state. It establishes new federal offenses and notification requirements for both individuals who transport minors and physicians who perform abortions on out-of-state minors. One key provision makes it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a state line with the intent to obtain an abortion, if this action abridges a parent's right under a parental involvement law in the minor's state of residence. Violators face fines or imprisonment up to one year. Exceptions are made for abortions necessary to save the minor's life, and minors or their parents are protected from prosecution under this section. Affirmative defenses are available if the defendant reasonably believed parental consent or notification occurred, or if a court authorized the abortion. The bill also includes a specific offense for individuals who have committed incest with a minor and transport them across state lines for an abortion. Furthermore, parents who suffer harm from a violation of these provisions may pursue a civil action, unless that parent committed incest with the minor. Another central provision requires any physician performing an abortion on a minor who is a resident of a different state to provide at least 24 hours of actual or constructive notice to a parent. Failure to comply with this notification requirement can result in fines or imprisonment. This mandate aims to ensure parental awareness even when a minor travels out-of-state for the procedure. Several exceptions to the physician notification requirement are outlined. These include instances where the performing state's parental involvement law is followed, a court in the minor's home state has waived notification, or the minor declares abuse by a parent and authorities are notified. An exception also applies for life-saving abortions, provided parents are notified post-procedure, or if a parent physically accompanies the minor and provides documentation.