Texas Senate Bill SB1427

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

The bill also introduces penalties for physicians who perform abortions based on discriminatory reasons, specifically related to the unborn child's race, ethnicity, sex, or disability status. This stipulation creates legal implications for aborted pregnancies based on such diagnostics, potentially complicating the decision-making process for healthcare providers and increasing the regulatory burden on them. The legislation positions Texas as one of several states actively working to limit the rationale behind abortion procedures, which critics argue could infringe upon reproductive rights and patient autonomy.

Summary

SB1427 aims to amend the Health and Safety Code in Texas by establishing a framework for perinatal hospice care for pregnant women whose unborn children are diagnosed with life-threatening disabilities. The bill mandates that expectant mothers be informed about the availability of perinatal hospice care, which encompasses comprehensive support from diagnosis through delivery, including counseling and medical assistance. Additionally, it requires healthcare providers to offer informational materials and certifications regarding this type of care, ensuring that women have all pertinent information to make informed decisions about their pregnancies, including the potential option of perinatal hospice care before undergoing an abortion.

Contention

Debates surrounding SB1427 primarily focus on the ethical implications of mandating perinatal hospice information and the legal penalties associated with discriminatory abortions. Supporters of the bill argue it fosters a compassionate approach to pregnancies with dire prognoses, emphasizing the importance of quality support for families facing such circumstances. Detractors, on the other hand, claim that it imposes additional hurdles on women, potentially forcing them into labor under emotionally and physically distressing conditions when they might choose abortion for legitimate reasons related to their health or personal circumstances.