Abortion Pill Bill Gains Momentum in Texas Senate
The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to a much-anticipated bill aiming to restrict the mailing of abortion pills into the state. This bill is a significant development in the ongoing debate about abortion rights in Texas.
The bill, if signed into law, would create a new pathway for enforcing Texas’ strict abortion ban. It would allow regular citizens to file civil lawsuits against anyone who distributes abortion pills within Texas or anyone who mails abortion pills to Texas. Anyone who helps a woman obtain abortion pills, including out-of-state doctors or friends and family members, could be sued under the bill.
The bill is an attempt by anti-abortion advocates and politicians to close one of the few windows available for Texans seeking abortions. House Bill 7 was authored by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, and in the Senate, it’s sponsored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola. The bill has already passed the House and has now passed initial votes in the Senate.
The bill still has to pass a final vote in the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk. If it becomes law, it would have significant implications for abortion rights in Texas. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to protect the lives of unborn babies, while opponents argue that it would further restrict access to abortion services in the state.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill has an exception for doctors who are performing legal, necessary abortions within the state or using the medications for other legal purposes. The bill also prohibits lawsuits against pregnant women seeking abortions. If pregnant women or their relatives bring lawsuits under the bill, they could receive payouts of $100,000 or more.
Any other person who successfully sues would be required to donate the majority of the payout to a charity. This provision is intended to encourage individuals to bring lawsuits against those who are distributing abortion pills in the state. The bill’s supporters argue that this provision is necessary to ensure that those who are breaking the law are held accountable.
A New Enforcement Mechanism
Texas has a strict abortion ban, which does not have exceptions for early pregnancy, rape, or incest, or for fatal fetal anomalies. Abortion is only permitted in Texas in rare medical emergencies. Texans seeking abortions have two options: they can either travel to a state where abortion is legal, or they can schedule telehealth visits with out-of-state providers who then mail abortion pills into the state.
It is already illegal to mail abortion pills into the state, but the anti-abortion movement has struggled to enforce that law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in late 2024 sued a New York doctor for mailing abortion pills to a Texan, but Paxton has so far been unable to enforce a Texas court’s ruling against that doctor.
The new bill takes a different approach, mimicking the civil enforcement mechanism in Texas’ 2021 abortion ban, which was sometimes referred to as a “bounty hunter” law. The U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on whether that structure, which effectively takes law enforcement out of the hands of the executive branch of government, is constitutional.
Implications of the Bill
The abortion pill bill is a modification of a bill that died once during the regular session and again during the first special session. Now in the second special session, the current version of the bill has cleared most of the hurdles of the legislative process. It still has to pass a final Senate vote and make a stop at the governor’s desk before it can become law.
If the bill becomes law, it would have significant implications for abortion rights in Texas. It would further restrict access to abortion services in the state, making it even more difficult for women to obtain abortions. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to protect the lives of unborn babies, while opponents argue that it would harm women’s health and well-being.
Conclusion
The abortion pill bill is a significant development in the ongoing debate about abortion rights in Texas. If it becomes law, it would have far-reaching implications for abortion services in the state. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to protect the lives of unborn babies, while opponents argue that it would harm women’s health and well-being. As the bill moves forward, it is likely to be the subject of intense debate and controversy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the abortion pill bill? The abortion pill bill is a bill that aims to restrict the mailing of abortion pills into Texas. It would allow regular citizens to file civil lawsuits against anyone who distributes abortion pills within Texas or anyone who mails abortion pills to Texas.
Q: What are the key provisions of the bill? The bill has an exception for doctors who are performing legal, necessary abortions within the state or using the medications for other legal purposes. The bill also prohibits lawsuits against pregnant women seeking abortions. If pregnant women or their relatives bring lawsuits under the bill, they could receive payouts of $100,000 or more.
Q: What are the implications of the bill? If the bill becomes law, it would further restrict access to abortion services in Texas, making it even more difficult for women to obtain abortions. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to protect the lives of unborn babies, while opponents argue that it would harm women’s health and well-being.
Q: What is the current status of the bill? The bill has passed initial votes in the Senate and is awaiting a final vote. If it passes, it will head to the governor’s desk for signature. If the governor signs the bill, it will become law and take effect shortly thereafter.
