H. R. 686

Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025

Shown here: Introduced in House (2025-01-23)

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unlawful disposal of fetal remains.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025”.

2. Prohibiting unlawful disposal of fetal remains

Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

125 Unlawful Disposal of Fetal Remains
2741. Unlawful disposal of fetal remains
(a) In general
Whoever recklessly disposes of or abandons fetal remains in a landfill or in any of the navigable waters of the United States shall be imprisoned not more than 3 years or fined under this title, or both.
(b) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the disposal of the remains of her unborn child.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Fetal remains
The term “fetal remains” means any part of a human fetus that is deceased by reason of an abortion, but does not include any such part that has been cremated.
(2) Landfill
The term “landfill” means a sanitary landfill, as such term is defined in section 1004(26) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
(3) Navigable waters
The term “navigable waters” has the meaning given such term in section 502(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

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