Abortion pill bill headed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. What does it do?
A bill headed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allows a person to sue another for distributing “abortion-inducing” drugs.
The legislation further restricts abortion access in a state where abortions are already virtually banned, except in cases of medical emergencies, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The newly passed proposal, House Bill 7, says that a person who manufactures or distributes abortion medication or mails, transports, delivers or prescribes the medication to a person in Texas could be sued.
There are some exceptions carved out for situations like medical emergencies. A lawsuit also couldn’t be filed against a pregnant woman seeking the abortion drugs for herself, according to the bill.
Parties who also couldn’t be sued include a hospital, physician groups and internet service providers. The state and local governments could not initiate the legal action.
If the legal action is successful, the person who sued could be awarded at least $10,000, with the remainder of any amount awarded going to charity. A pregnant patient or certain relatives could receive at least $100,000.
The bill passed in the House on Aug. 28 and advanced from the Senate on Wednesday, before lawmakers gaveled out of a second-called special session.
