Summary of HR 846 - SAD Act

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HR 846

Title: Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act (SAD Act)

Introduced: January 31, 2025

Status: Introduced in House

Committee: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Purpose and Intent

The SAD Act aims to combat the spread of disinformation in the advertising of abortion services. It seeks to ensure that individuals seeking reproductive health care receive accurate and honest information, particularly in light of the significant changes to abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Key Provisions

1. Prohibition on Deceptive Advertising:

   • The Act makes it unlawful for any entity to engage in deceptive advertising regarding reproductive health services. This includes:
     • Misrepresenting the availability of contraception or abortion services.
     • Claiming to employ or provide access to licensed medical personnel when they do not.

2. Findings:

   • The bill outlines several findings that highlight the current landscape of abortion access, including:
     • The closure of numerous abortion clinics, particularly in underserved areas.
     • The disproportionate impact of travel burdens on low-income women and women of color.
     • The prevalence of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) that disseminate misleading information about abortion and contraception.

3. Targeting of Vulnerable Communities:

   • The Act recognizes that CPCs often target under-resourced neighborhoods and communities of color, exacerbating existing health disparities and delaying access to time-sensitive care.

4. Protection of Personal Health Information:

   • The bill addresses concerns regarding the privacy practices of CPCs, which may mislead individuals about their compliance with health privacy laws.

Impact

• Who Would Be Affected:

  • The SAD Act primarily targets crisis pregnancy centers that engage in deceptive practices. It aims to protect individuals seeking reproductive health care, particularly women and transgender individuals of reproductive age, from misinformation.
  • The legislation is expected to benefit low-income women and women of color, who face the greatest barriers to accessing abortion services.

• Potential Outcomes:

  • By prohibiting deceptive advertising, the SAD Act aims to improve access to accurate information about reproductive health services, thereby facilitating better decision-making for individuals considering abortion.

Legislative Actions

• January 31, 2025: The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsors

The SAD Act is sponsored by Representative Suzanne Bonamici and has numerous cosponsors, including notable figures such as:
- Emilia Strong Sykes
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
- Alma S. Adams
- Pramila Jayapal
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Related Legislation

• S 589: A companion bill in the Senate that addresses similar issues regarding disinformation in reproductive health care advertising.

The SAD Act represents a legislative effort to safeguard reproductive health care access by ensuring that individuals receive truthful and reliable information, thereby countering the harmful effects of disinformation in the current political and social landscape surrounding abortion services.