Bill > SB1521

This bill introduces several significant changes to abortion-related regulations in Texas. It allows people to provide direct or indirect assistance for travel outside the state to obtain an abortion, and prohibits municipalities or counties from preventing such travel. The bill modifies existing laws to prevent criminal, civil, or administrative penalties against pregnant individuals who undergo an abortion. It updates regulations for abortion-inducing drugs, aligning them more closely with FDA guidelines and medical practice guidelines from 2013. The bill removes previous requirements for in-person examinations and specific medical procedures before administering abortion-inducing drugs, and eliminates certain documentation requirements. It also adds a provision allowing physicians to conduct depositions to investigate potential claims, with restrictions to prevent frivolous petitions. The bill repeals numerous existing statutes related to abortion regulation, including sections of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Family Code, and Health and Safety Code. Importantly, these changes will only apply to abortions performed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, with existing laws continuing to govern procedures performed before that date.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1521