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Bill > SB31

TX SB31

TX SB31
Relating to exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment.

summary

Introduced
03/14/2025
In Committee
05/05/2025
Crossed Over
04/29/2025
Passed
06/20/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/20/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Life of the Mother Act, provides clarifications and exceptions to Texas abortion laws regarding medical emergencies. The legislation defines a "medical emergency" as a life-threatening physical condition related to pregnancy that places a woman at risk of death or serious bodily impairment, and allows physicians to perform abortions under these specific circumstances. Key provisions include expanding the definition of medical emergency to permit physicians to address potential risks before they become imminent, allowing treatment for ectopic pregnancies and non-viable pregnancies, and protecting physicians from disciplinary actions when they exercise "reasonable medical judgment" in treating pregnant women facing life-threatening conditions. The bill explicitly states that a physician may treat a pregnant woman's condition in a manner that provides the best opportunity for fetal survival, but not if doing so would create a greater risk to the mother's life or bodily function. Additionally, the legislation requires the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Medical Board to develop comprehensive educational programs for attorneys and physicians to understand the nuanced legal and medical guidelines surrounding these abortion exceptions. The bill is designed to be consistent with recent Texas Supreme Court opinions and ensures that medical professionals can provide necessary care in critical medical situations while maintaining legal protections.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (84)

Charlie Geren (R)*,  Donna Howard (D)*,  Bryan Hughes (R)*,  Lacey Hull (R)*,  Ann Johnson (D)*,  Angelia Orr (R)*,  Alma Allen (D),  Carol Alvarado (D),  Keith Bell (R),  Diego Bernal (D),  Paul Bettencourt (R),  Salman Bhojani (D),  Brian Birdwell (R),  César Blanco (D),  Rhetta Bowers (D),  John Bryant (D),  Brad Buckley (R),  John Bucy (D),  Donna Campbell (R),  Liz Campos (D),  Sheryl Cole (D),  David Cook (R),  Philip Cortez (D),  Brandon Creighton (R),  Drew Darby (R),  Aicha Davis (D),  Lulu Flores (D),  Pete Flores (R),  Erin Gámez (D),  Linda Garcia (D),  Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Vikki Goodwin (D),  Bobby Guerra (D),  Brent Hagenbuch (R),  Bob Hall (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Ana Hernandez (D),  Adam Hinojosa (R),  Joan Huffman (R),  Venton Jones (D),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Phil King (R),  Lois Kolkhorst (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Suleman Lalani (D),  Stan Lambert (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  John McQueeney (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Terry Meza (D),  Mayes Middleton (R),  Joe Moody (D),  Eddie Morales (D),  Penny Morales Shaw (D),  Candy Noble (R),  Claudia Ordaz Perez (D),  Tan Parker (R),  Jared Patterson (R),  Angela Paxton (R),  Mary Ann Perez (D),  Vincent Perez (D),  Charles Perry (R),  Mihaela Plesa (D),  Ron Reynolds (D),  Toni Rose (D),  Jon Rosenthal (D),  Charles Schwertner (R),  Lauren Simmons (D),  Kevin Sparks (R),  David Spiller (R),  James Talarico (D),  Carl Tepper (R),  Ellen Troxclair (R),  Chris Turner (D),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Hubert Vo (D),  Charlene Ward Johnson (D),  Terry Wilson (R),  Gene Wu (D),  Judith Zaffirini (D),  Erin Zwiener (D), 

Last Action

Effective immediately (on 06/20/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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