Texas Senate Bill SB1033

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to information regarding perinatal palliative care and prohibiting discriminatory abortions; creating an administrative penalty, a civil remedy, and a criminal offense.

Impact

The bill modifies existing laws in the Texas Health and Safety Code and introduces penalties for physicians who perform abortions in violation of the new regulations. It requires healthcare providers to provide specific information and resources around perinatal palliative care when a pregnant woman is diagnosed with a significant disability in her fetus. This change is aimed at sensitizing healthcare practices around such sensitive circumstances while aiming to reduce the rate of abortion in cases deemed to involve discrimination against certain conditions or attributes of the fetus.

Summary

SB1033, known as the Preborn Nondiscrimination Act, addresses issues related to perinatal palliative care and prohibits discriminatory abortions based on attributes such as race, ethnicity, sex, or the probability of a disability of the unborn child. The bill emphasizes the importance of informing pregnant women regarding the availability of palliative care when a life-threatening disability is diagnosed in their preborn child, thereby aiming to ensure that their choices are made with full awareness of all available options.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB1033 reflects a deep divide, with supporters arguing that it strengthens protections against discrimination, while opponents claim it could impose undue emotional stress on women facing difficult decisions about pregnancies involving severe disabilities. Advocates for the bill argue that it safeguards lives and offers women critical information about care alternatives; however, critics express concerns that it could hinder women's rights to make personal medical decisions and could lead to more complications in already arduous situations.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the implications of the prohibition against discriminatory abortions. Critics of the bill contend that it could complicate medical practice and limit access to timely and necessary healthcare solutions for women, particularly those facing severe fetal abnormalities. Furthermore, discussions have revolved around the ethical considerations in mandating information that some might find distressing or counterproductive during a time of crisis, placing a spotlight on the balance between protecting unborn children and supporting the rights of expecting mothers.