This bill prohibits deceptive advertising of reproductive health services, making it illegal to falsely claim offering contraception or abortion services when you do not. Violations can result in civil penalties up to 100,000 dollars or 50 percent of annual revenue, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill prohibits deceptive advertising of reproductive health services, making it illegal to falsely claim offering contraception or abortion services when you do not. Violations can result in civil penalties up to 100,000 dollars or 50 percent of annual revenue, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act or the SAD Act </strong></p><p>This bill prohibits deceptive advertising for reproductive health services.</p><p>Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a person (i.e., individual, partnership, corporation, association, or organization) to deceptively advertise the reproductive health services they offer, including by misrepresenting that the person (1) offers or provides contraception or abortion services (or referrals for such contraception or abortion services), or (2) employs or offers access to licensed medical personnel.</p><p>The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.</p><p>In addition to any other penalty, violations are subject to a civil penalty that may not exceed the greater of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or 50% of the revenue earned during the preceding 12-month period by the ultimate parent entity of the person who violated the bill. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Bans deceptive advertising for reproductive health services
Prohibits falsely claiming to offer abortion or contraception services
Makes misrepresenting access to licensed medical staff unlawful
FTC enforces violations with civil penalties
Penalties can reach 100,000 dollars or 50 percent of annual revenue
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Crisis pregnancy centers that advertise abortion services they do not provide could face significant penalties. People seeking reproductive healthcare would have better protection against being deceived about what services a facility actually offers.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Commerce
Related Subjects
Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Family planning and birth control
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Marketing and advertising
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
589, 119th Congress (2025). "SAD Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-589
