SB 933 — Criminal Law: Causing Ingestion of an Abortion‑Inducing Drug (Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act)
Status (as provided)
- Introduced: January 27, 2025
- Committee assignment: Judicial Proceedings
- Hearing scheduled: February 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
- Companion/related bill: HB 1186 (cross‑file)
- Sponsors (introduced version): Senators Carozza, McKay, Ready, Salling, Simonaire, West
Summary — main purpose and intent
- SB 933 creates a new criminal offense that prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully causing another person to ingest an “abortion‑inducing drug” when the actor knows or believes the other person is pregnant and the ingestion is done without the pregnant person’s consent — specifically by fraud, coercion, force, or threat of force. The stated short title is the “Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act.”
Key provisions
- Definition: “Abortion‑inducing drug” means any drug, medicine, or chemical preparation for internal human consumption that is designed to induce an abortion.
- Prohibited conduct: It is unlawful to knowingly and willfully cause another person to ingest such a drug if:
- the actor knows or believes the other person is pregnant; and
- the ingestion is done without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force or threat of force.
- Penalty: Violation is a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to 25 years (no fine or other penalties specified in the text provided).
- Effective date: The act would take effect October 1, 2025 (per the bill text).
Who would be affected
- Pregnant persons — protections are aimed at preventing non‑consensual administration of abortion‑inducing substances.
- Individuals who cause another to ingest such drugs — potential criminal liability for third parties (including intimate partners, caregivers, or others who might administer or coerce ingestion).
- Criminal justice system — prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and correctional agencies may see new filings and potential incarceration.
- Health care providers — may be indirectly affected in cases involving allegations of coercion or fraud in medication administration; the statute targets third‑party coercion/force without consent rather than lawful clinical provision of care.
Fiscal and operational impact (as analyzed)
- Fiscal note (Maryland Department of Legislative Services): The bill could produce a minimal increase in general fund expenditures for incarceration under the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services due to the felony penalty. Otherwise, it is not expected to materially affect State finances or operations, including the Judiciary or Office of the Public Defender.
Procedural and timeline notes
- At introduction the bill was assigned to the Judicial Proceedings Committee and a hearing was scheduled (2/26 at 1:00 p.m.). Stakeholders and committee members will have the opportunity to testify at that hearing.
- Companion bill HB 1186 has been designated as a cross‑file; follow both chambers for parallel action.
- If reported favorably by committee and passed by the General Assembly, the bill (per its text) would take effect October 1, 2025.
Context and considerations
- The bill targets coercive or non‑consensual conduct involving medication intended to end pregnancy. It does not, on its face, criminalize consensual use of abortion‑inducing drugs or standard clinical care when provided with consent. Implementation questions may arise around evidence standards (consent, coercion, fraud), interaction with existing reproductive‑health statutes and shield/privacy protections, and prosecutorial discretion.
If you’d like, I can:
- Draft a brief explainer of likely legal/implementation issues (e.g., definitions of coercion, evidentiary challenges).
- Produce a one‑page handout for committee members summarizing fiscal effects and enforcement implications.
