This bill establishes a federal crime and civil cause of action for performing an abortion based on a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of Turner syndrome.
Randy Feenstra
Representative
IA-4
The Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026 prohibits abortions sought solely because an unborn child has or may have Turner syndrome, creating new federal crimes and civil causes of action. This legislation makes it unlawful to perform, coerce, or facilitate such abortions, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Act allows specific family members and the Attorney General to file lawsuits seeking damages against those who violate these prohibitions.
Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act Creates Federal Felony for Genetic-Based Abortions and Mandates Medical Reporting
The Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2026 introduces a significant shift in federal law by criminalizing abortions performed specifically because of a Turner syndrome diagnosis. Under this bill, it becomes a federal crime for a doctor to perform an abortion if they know the patient is seeking it—even partially—due to a test result or even a 'belief' that the unborn child has this chromosomal disorder. Violating this would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Beyond the criminal aspect, the bill opens the door for fathers and maternal grandparents to sue medical providers for money damages and 'loss of companionship,' creating a high-stakes legal environment for healthcare clinics.
The Doctor’s New Checklist
This legislation changes the conversation in the exam room by requiring doctors to follow a specific script. Before performing any abortion, a provider must ask the woman if she is aware of a Turner syndrome diagnosis or evidence. If she is, the doctor is legally obligated to inform her that performing the procedure for that reason is prohibited by federal law (Section 2). For a busy OB-GYN or clinic worker, this isn't just a paperwork update; it’s a legal minefield. If a provider misses this step or proceeds despite knowing the motivation, they face not just prison time, but also the potential for 'punitive damages' in civil court. This creates a massive financial and legal risk for medical practices, which could lead to fewer providers willing to offer reproductive services at all.
Mandatory Reporting and the Paper Trail
The bill also turns medical and mental health professionals into mandatory reporters for the federal government. If a counselor or doctor suspects that an abortion was performed in violation of this law, they must report it to law enforcement. Failing to do so is its own crime, punishable by up to a year in jail. This could fundamentally change the trust between a patient and their therapist or physician. If you’re a woman discussing a difficult prenatal diagnosis with a counselor, that professional is now legally tethered to a reporting requirement that could trigger a federal investigation into your medical team.
Who Can Sue and Who Pays
One of the most unique parts of this bill is who gets to head to court. While the woman herself cannot be prosecuted or sued, the father of the unborn child or the maternal grandparents are granted the right to sue the doctor for 'appropriate relief.' This includes money for emotional distress and attorney’s fees. For families, this could mean a legal battle where a grandparent sues their daughter’s doctor against her wishes. The bill also specifies that these cases must be 'expedited' in federal court, moving them to the front of the line. For everyday people, this means a diagnosis of Turner syndrome—a condition where a girl is missing an X chromosome—becomes a permanent legal barrier to certain healthcare options, backed by the threat of five-year prison sentences for the professionals involved.