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SB 302

Criminal Law - Causing Ingestion of an Abortion-Inducing Drug - Prohibition (Women's Freedom From Coercion Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Carozza and 5 co-sponsors

Maryland bill criminalizes coercively causing someone to ingest abortion-inducing drugs without consent, addressing reproductive coercion through new criminal statute.

Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 302

Legislative bill overview

SB 302 would create a new criminal offense in Maryland for coercively causing someone to ingest an abortion-inducing drug without their consent. The bill appears designed to criminalize forced or deceptive administration of medication intended to terminate pregnancy, treating it as a distinct criminal act separate from existing assault or poisoning statutes.

Why is this important

Reproductive coercion—including forced medication—represents a form of abuse that can severely impact bodily autonomy and health. The bill addresses a specific gap some argue exists in criminal law by directly naming this conduct. However, the outcome depends heavily on how "causing ingestion" and "coercion" are legally defined and whether existing laws already cover such conduct.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill's language regarding what constitutes "causing ingestion" and how it distinguishes from existing assault, battery, or poisoning laws remains unclear without seeing the full text
  • Burden of proof: Questions about how prosecutors would prove intent to cause ingestion of specifically "abortion-inducing" drugs versus other medications, and evidentiary challenges
  • Scope concerns: Whether the bill could inadvertently affect medical providers, family members acting in perceived health interests, or create unintended consequences in custody/domestic situations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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