Bill Seeks Abortion Ban After Conception in North Carolina

by | Apr 8, 2025

A bill introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives on April 7, 2025, titled The Human Life Protection Act of 2025, seeks to prohibit abortion from the point of conception, with limited exceptions to preserve the life of the pregnant individual.

The legislation, filed as House Bill 804, defines abortion as any act intended to cause the death of an unborn child, excluding procedures to save the life of an unborn child, remove a deceased fetus resulting from a spontaneous miscarriage, or treat ectopic pregnancies. The bill also distinguishes birth control devices and oral contraceptives from abortion procedures.

If enacted, the law would ban all abortions unless a licensed physician determines, through reasonable medical judgment, that the pregnancy poses a life-threatening condition or a serious risk of substantial impairment to a major bodily function of the pregnant person. In such cases, the bill requires the physician to perform the procedure in a way that offers the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless doing so would increase the health risk to the pregnant person.

The bill outlines penalties for violations, including felony charges. A person performing an abortion resulting in the death of an unborn child would face a Class B1 felony charge, while other violations would be considered Class B2 felonies. Additionally, civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation could be imposed, and medical professionals who violate the law would face the revocation of their licenses.

The legislation clarifies that accidental or unintentional harm to an unborn child during lawful medical treatment would not constitute a violation. It also states that pregnant individuals would not be subject to criminal or civil penalties under the proposed law.

If passed, the law would apply only to abortions performed or attempted on or after its effective date. The bill is currently under review by the General Assembly.