S. 589 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCracks down on misleading reproductive health ads
This bill makes it illegal to advertise reproductive health services in a deceptive way. Specifically, it targets ads that falsely claim a business offers or refers patients for contraception or abortion services, or that falsely claim they employ licensed doctors. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law and penalize violators with fines up to $100,000 or half of the company's annual revenue, whichever is larger.
How it affects you
If you're looking for reproductive health services, this bill is meant to protect you from being misled by fake or deceptive advertising. Companies that violate the rules face serious financial penalties, which the bill's supporters say should discourage the deception in the first place.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 13, 2025)
Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act or the SAD Act
This bill prohibits deceptive advertising for reproductive health services.
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.
The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 589
A BILL
SAD Act
Sponsor: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Commerce · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 13, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”