Texas Senate Bill SB95

Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

Caption

Relating to the Whole Woman's Health Act.

Impact

The bill mandates that every woman in Texas has the fundamental right to obtain an abortion, particularly when necessary to protect her health or life, and it prohibits state or local regulations that unnecessarily burden access to abortion services without providing legitimate health benefits. This positions the legislation as a safeguard against previous laws that have been deemed obstructive, asserting that they serve to stigmatize patients and providers rather than enhance health outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 95, known as the Whole Woman's Health Act, addresses comprehensive reproductive health care, emphasizing the importance of access to safe abortion as a crucial aspect of women's health and social equality. The bill underscores that abortion is one of the safest medical procedures in the United States, with a high safety record of over 99 percent. It articulates that any regulations affecting medical care should have legitimate purposes that advance the quality of care and access, making it clear that states are not permitted to impose restrictions that do not genuinely protect health.

Contention

Throughout the legislative discussions, significant points of contention arose regarding the balance between state regulations on abortion and women's rights to access those services. The bill aims to counteract numerous restrictions implemented previously, which have been criticized for lacking evidential support for improving health outcomes and instead serving to create barriers for women seeking abortions. Lawmakers acknowledged the validity of Supreme Court decisions that assert a woman’s right to choose, framing the bill as an imperative response to uphold that constitutional liberty against potential overreach from state legislation.