Randy Feenstra (R-IA)
Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026" aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit discrimination via abortion against an unborn child based on Turner syndrome. It defines an abortion as an act intended to kill an unborn child or terminate a pregnancy, excluding specific life-saving or live-birth purposes. The bill makes it unlawful to perform an abortion because of a diagnosis or suspicion of Turner syndrome. It also prohibits using force or threats to coerce such abortions, soliciting funds for them, or transporting women across state lines for this purpose. Violators may face criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the act establishes civil remedies for qualified plaintiffs and requires medical professionals to report suspected violations.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill prohibits abortions based on a diagnosis of Turner syndrome, which is a chromosomal disorder.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides legal protections for unborn children diagnosed with Turner syndrome.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill imposes mandatory reporting requirements on medical professionals that could discourage them from providing certain care.
- Scored -3
Would women be better off under this?
The bill imposes mandatory reporting requirements on women's medical professionals and limits reproductive choices based on diagnosis.
- Scored -2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires courts to seal records and protect anonymity, which reduces public transparency of these proceedings.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection against specific discrimination: The bill prohibits performing abortions based on the knowledge of a test result or prenatal diagnosis indicating the unborn child has Turner syndrome (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Civil legal recourse: Qualified plaintiffs, including the woman, a maternal grandparent of an unemancipated minor, or a father, may bring civil actions to obtain relief (Section 2(b)(3) and Section 2(c)).
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Financial compensation for victims: Civil actions can seek objectively verifiable money damages for physical and psychological injuries, including loss of support, as well as punitive damages (Section 2(c)(3)).
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Privacy Protections: The bill requires courts to make orders to protect the anonymity of a woman undergoing an abortion, including sealing records and allowing plaintiffs to use pseudonyms (Section 2(i)).
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Legal immunity for women: A woman upon whom an abortion is performed cannot be prosecuted or held civilly liable for any violation of this section (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal penalties for medical providers or others: Persons who violate the prohibitions regarding abortion based on Turner syndrome face fines and up to five years in prison (Section 2(b) and Section 2(c)).
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Criminal penalties for medical professionals: Physicians, nurses, or other health professionals who fail to report known or suspected violations of this section face fines and up to one year in prison (Section 2(g)(2)).
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Mandatory reporting requirements: Medical or mental health professionals are required to report suspected violations of this act to law enforcement authorities (Section 2(g)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill imposes mandatory reporting requirements on medical professionals that could discourage them from providing certain care.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill prohibits abortions based on a diagnosis of Turner syndrome, which is a chromosomal disorder. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill does not directly address any mechanisms for lifting people out of poverty.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides legal protections for unborn children diagnosed with Turner syndrome. Would women be better off under this? — The bill imposes mandatory reporting requirements on women's medical professionals and limits reproductive choices based on diagnosis.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires courts to seal records and protect anonymity, which reduces public transparency of these proceedings.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
Paul GosarRepublican · Arizona
Andy HarrisRepublican · Maryland
Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois
Mariannette Miller-MeeksRepublican · Iowa
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington