Texas House Bill HB991

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 11/12/24

Caption

Relating to abortion, including civil liability for distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and duties of Internet service providers; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a private civil right of action.

Impact

The implications of HB 991 are significant, as it establishes criminal offenses associated with the manufacture, possession, and distribution of abortion-inducing drugs. Furthermore, it creates a private civil right of action allowing individuals to bring lawsuits against those who violate these regulations. This change could potentially empower individuals or organizations opposing abortion to pursue legal action, thus increasing the legal risks for entities involved in abortion services and thereby potentially reducing access to such services.

Summary

House Bill 991, titled the Women and Child Safety Act, focuses on the regulation of abortion and includes provisions addressing the civil liability associated with the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs. The bill articulates its stance that human life begins at fertilization and characterizes abortion as an act of violence that knowingly terminates a human life in the womb. The legislation states that unborn human beings deserve full protection under the law, reflective of a post-Roe v. Wade legal landscape following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Contention

Opposition to HB 991 arises from concerns about its impact on women's healthcare and rights, as well as the increased legal complications for internet service providers and related entities. Critics argue that the bill severely limits access to reproductive health resources by imposing stringent penalties and fostering an environment where fear of litigation could dissuade providers from offering assistance. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that shield internet service providers from liability over content that could assist individuals in obtaining abortion services, raising important debates about the intersection of technology, freedom of speech, and reproductive rights.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Penal Code

• Chapter 1. General Provisions
  • Section: New Section