Second Chance at Life Act of 2025
The Second Chance at Life Act of 2025 would treat information about “reversal” of a chemical abortion as a required component of patient consent and facility disclosures. Specifically, it would add a new Title XXXIV to the Public Health Service Act mandating that abortion providers inform women seeking a chemical abortion (mifepristone followed by misoprostol) that reversing the intended effects may be possible if they change their mind, and that information and assistance on reversal are available from a Department of Health and Human Services website. The bill requires pre-procedure informed consent at least 24 hours before the abortion, plus written discharge instructions after the first drug is dispensed, stating that mifepristone’s effects may not always be sufficient and that reversal may be possible if the second pill has not yet been taken. It also mandates conspicuous signage in facilities, creates a federal website with multilingual materials, and allows civil actions against providers for violations. An emergency exception allows the requirements to be bypassed if the abortion is medically necessary to save the mother’s life, and there are provisions on preemption, severability, and attorney’s fees. Note: The bill frames “reversal” as a possible outcome, but the medical consensus on reversal therapies is debated in the real world. The proposal would impose new disclosure, informational, and civil-litigation requirements on abortion providers and facilities.
Key Points
- 1Informed consent requirements for chemical abortions (24-hour pre-procedure notice) stating that reversing the intended effects may be possible and that reversal resources are available on an HHS website; includes a specific written discharge instruction after the first drug is dispensed.
- 2Sign posting and patient-facing materials at facilities that perform chemical abortions, with specific signage requirements and visibility in waiting and consultation areas.
- 3A new federal website and printed materials (in English and non-English languages) providing information about reversal options and available resources; privacy protections include no collection of user data and accessibility standards for the site.
- 4Civil remedies allowing private citizens and certain family members to sue abortion providers for violations, with damages, attorney’s fees, and considerations for frivolous or bad-faith actions.
- 5Exceptions and clarifications: medical emergencies where abortion is necessary to save the mother’s life; state-law preemption limited to allowing more extensive state disclosure or penalty requirements; severability clause to keep the remainder intact if part is unconstitutional.