Bill > HB2709

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to define "individual" as including an "unborn child at every stage of development from fertilization until birth." It adds a new section stating that the code's provisions apply equally to violations committed against an unborn child or a born individual. The bill also adds a new section justifying certain medical procedures performed by licensed physicians to avert the death of a pregnant woman, even if the procedure results in the accidental or unintentional death of the unborn child, provided reasonable alternatives to save the unborn child were unavailable or unsuccessful. The bill repeals several existing provisions and specifies that the changes apply only to conduct occurring on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2023.