Texas House Bill HB103

Texas 2021 - 87th 1st C.S.

Caption

Relating to prohibiting abortion and protecting the rights of an unborn child and to criminal liability for, justification for, and defenses to prohibited conduct.

Impact

If enacted, HB 103 would significantly alter Texas law regarding abortion, criminalizing the act and enforcing strict penalties on those who perform or facilitate abortions. The bill also mandates that the state's attorney general monitor enforcement and that local governments ensure compliance with the new law, effectively overriding existing federal statutes, regulations, or court rulings that conflict with the bill's provisions. This introduces a state-level approach to regulate abortion that would undermine previous federal protections established in landmark Supreme Court decisions.

Summary

House Bill 103 is entitled the 'Abolition of Abortion through Equal Protection for All Unborn Children Act'. The primary purpose of this bill is to prohibit abortion in the state of Texas and to ensure the right to life and equal protection under the law to all unborn children from the moment of fertilization. The bill stipulates that all unborn children are entitled to the same rights as any other human being and aims to eliminate any licenses or legal provisions that allow for abortion. It emphasizes the need to view unborn children as persons who are equally protected under state law.

Contention

The bill is anticipated to ignite considerable debate and contention both in the legislature and the public sphere. Supporters argue that the bill merely enforces the sanctity of life and protects unborn children, aligning with certain moral and religious views. However, opponents contend that this legislation is a direct overreach of state power into personal liberties and medical practices. Critics fear it will criminalize essential healthcare services and ignore the complexities of pregnancy and women's health needs, leading to profound implications for reproductive rights in Texas.