Texas House Bill HB1971

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, HB 1971 would amend several statutes within the Texas Health and Safety Code, specifically regarding how abortions are conducted when a serious disability is diagnosed in an unborn child. Key changes include requiring practitioners to present comprehensive information about perinatal hospice care and placing additional burdens on healthcare providers to certify that the woman has received necessary information before any abortion is performed. The bill reflects a significant shift towards emphasizing life and support options for unborn children diagnosed with disabilities, which can further influence societal views on pregnancies involving disabilities.

Summary

House Bill 1971, known as the Disabled Preborn Justice Act, is a legislative proposal aimed at providing information on perinatal hospice care for pregnancies diagnosed with a life-threatening disability. The bill mandates that healthcare providers inform pregnant women about perinatal hospice options upon diagnosis and create educational materials and a resource list of such care providers. This act seeks to ensure informed decision-making for women who face challenging pregnancy circumstances, encouraging them to consider supportive care rather than solely focusing on abortion as an option.

Contention

Opposition to HB 1971 arises from concerns that the bill may complicate access to abortion services and impose additional emotional stress on women facing difficult decisions regarding their pregnancies. Critics argue that the emphasis on perinatal hospice care could unduly burden women whose decisions are already fraught with emotional and logistical challenges. Proponents of the bill contend that it fosters a supportive environment for parents facing such diagnoses by providing them with resources to ensure they are fully informed about their options.