State legislators are considering new measures to clarify and enforce abortion regulations in Texas. The Senate State Affairs Committee discussed Senate Bill 31, authored by Committee Chair Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola, which aims to specify legal exceptions for abortion when the mother's life is at risk. According to Hughes, the bill states, “Every pro-life measure Texas has passed has recognized that when the life of the mother is in danger, that is an exception.” He added, “The intent of this bill is to remove any excuse: when a mom is danger…that’s always been an exception that we’ve recognized.”
The necessity for clarification arises from ongoing confusion due to four different abortion bans in the state. Since the revocation of Roe v. Wade made abortion largely illegal in Texas, exceptions have sparked uncertainty, potentially endangering women's lives as healthcare providers hesitate due to legal concerns. SB 31 aims to affirm that doctors may terminate pregnancies in cases where the mother faces death or serious injury. Specific conditions such as ectopic pregnancies and undelivered miscarriages will be identified in the legislation. Furthermore, the bill proposes new legal training programs to guide doctors and legal advisors on Texas abortion law.
In addition to SB 31, the committee addressed two other proposed bills. SB 32, introduced by Senator Donna Campbell of New Braunfels, seeks to prohibit local governments from using public funds for abortion services, including logistical aid for women traveling out of state for abortions. Campbell argues, “Let’s close this loophole and put a stop to taxpayer-funded abortion travel expenses.”
Another measure, SB 2880 by Senator Hughes, introduces enforcement mechanisms targeting those who distribute abortion-inducing drugs to Texas from outside the state. Hughes emphasized the necessity of doctor supervision for medically induced abortions and noted, “These drugs are ordered online, shipped to the mother’s doorstep where she’s left to have the abortion alone without any care from a doctor.” The bill allows Texans to file claims against websites mailing abortion pills or facilitating related payments, with defenses available for unaware platform owners. Hughes clarified that the bill absolves women who use such drugs from any lawsuits or penalties, stating, “Nothing in this bill provides any lawsuit, or claim, or any harm to a mom.”
