Texas Republicans seek to clarify abortion prohibitions

Register for the reportThe Texas Tribune Diario Bulletin that keeps readers up to date with the most essential news of Texas.

Texas Republicans in the Senate have presented a bill that aims to make it more clear when a doctor can intervene to save the life of a pregnant patient, despite the prohibition of almost total state abortion. The bill does not expand access to abortion or change exceptions, but aims to clarify the existing law.

Senator Bryan Hughesauthor of one of the state abortion prohibitions, Senate bill filed 31called the “life of the law of the mother.” The bill is one of Lieutenant Governor. Dan PatrickPriorities TO coincidental invoice He has been filed at home by the representative. Charlie GerenA Republican of Fort Worth.

Texas abortion laws have an exception to save the life of the pregnant patient. But since the laws came into force, doctors have said that vagus language and strict sanctions leave them uncertain when they are really free to intervene. Although demandsand Court decisionsand Orientation of the Texas Medical BoardConfusion and fear persists for doctors and lawyers who are advising them.

Until recently, Texas Republicans argued that the laws are clear. Hughes wrote An opinion article in the Chronicle of Houstonentitled: “I wrote the Abortion Law of Texas. It is very clear about medical emergencies. “Anti-abortion groups argue that because some abortions are carried out every month, the law is working in the way it was intended.

But at least three women have died, and dozens have reported delayed or denied medical care due to the doubt of their doctors to act. In JanuaryPatrick said he was open to clarifying the laws “so that doctors are not afraid of being penalized if they think that the mother’s life is at risk.” Hughes echoed the feeling and agreed to carry the bill.

The bill reiterates the existing law that says that doctors can eliminate an ectopic pregnancy or the remains of a fetus after spontaneous abortion. It also coincides with the medical emergency definition with the existing state law and clarifies that a doctor or a lawyer can speak with a patient about a medically necessary abortion without being considered “helping and inciting.” The bill also clarifies that doctors are not obliged to delay, alter or retain the medical treatment that save life to try to preserve the life of the fetus.

The bill would bring to the state law prior orientation of the Supreme Court of Texas, which governed That nothing in the law required that the medical emergency was imminent or irreversible before a doctor could intervene. It also proposes continuing education requirements for lawyers and doctors, to educate them better about the interpretation and application of these laws.

Texas prohibited almost all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in 2021, with a legal lagoon that allowed the State to border the protections of Roe v. Wade. After the Supreme Court revoked that 50 -year precedent in 2022, the State prohibited abortions from the moment of conception.

A doctor who performs a forbidden abortion can face life imprisonment, fines of $ 100,000 and the loss of his medical license. Doctors report delaying care until a patient is closer to death, or looking for procedures that are more medically but legally safest because they are not sure how to proceed. Others say that their hospital administrators and lawyers are restricting their ability to fully practice medicine.

It is unlikely that the bill satisfies the defenders of abortion, who would like to see access to the most widely restored procedure, or many doctors who say that the State should not legislate the decisions they make with their patients.

Patrick has also appointed another abortion bill, SB 33Like a priority. This bill would prevent cities and counties from supporting abortion funds and non -profit organizations that help people travel outside the State to finish their pregnancies.

Last year, the Austin City Council allocated $ 400,000 to help city residents travel outside Texas to abort. Attorney General Ken Paxton and a former City Councilor demanded by politicssaying that he violated state law. Those demands are ongoing.

The San Antonio City Council also allocated $ 500,000 for a reproductive justice fund, some of which would be used to support trips outside the State. But after much debate and A demandUltimately None of the organizations that support the fund Pay for abortions or logistical support for abortion applicants.

We cannot wait to welcome the 15th Annual Texas Tribune FestivalTexas ideas and policies event that occurs from November 13 to 15 in the center of Austin. It enters the conversations that shape the future of education, economy, medical attention, energy, technology, public safety, culture, arts and much more.

Listen to our CEO, Sonal Shah, in Tribfest 2025.

Tribest 2025 is presented by JPMorganchase.