By: Miles S.B. No. 2454
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to abortions; authorizing a good faith requirement for
medical emergencies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 171.205, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 171.205. EXCEPTION FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY; RECORDS.
(a) Sections 171.203 and 171.204 do not apply if a physician, in
good faith, believes a medical emergency exits that prevents
compliance with this subchapter.
(b) A physician who performs or induces an abortion under
circumstances described by subsection (a) shall make written
notations in the pregnant woman's medical record of:
(1) the physician's good faith belief that a medical
emergency necessitated the abortion; and
(2) the medical condition of the pregnant woman that
prevented compliance with this subchapter.
(c) A physician performing or inducing an abortion under
this section shall maintain in the physician's practice records a
copy of the notations made under Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an abortion performed or induced on or after the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect September 1, 2023.