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Bill > HB44
TX HB44
TX HB44Relating to exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment.
summary
Introduced
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
In Committee
03/17/2025
03/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
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, clarifies and expands exceptions to abortion prohibitions in Texas based on a physician's reasonable medical judgment. The bill modifies existing laws to provide more specific guidance on when abortions can be performed during medical emergencies. Key provisions include redefining "medical emergency" to encompass physical conditions that place a pregnant woman at risk of death or substantial bodily impairment, expanding the definition of ectopic pregnancy, and establishing protections for physicians who perform abortions under these medical emergency exceptions. The bill explicitly allows physicians to remove ectopic pregnancies and dead unborn children, and provides legal protections for medical professionals communicating about or providing medical treatment in these circumstances. Additionally, the bill requires the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Medical Board to develop comprehensive educational programs to help attorneys and physicians understand the nuanced legal and medical requirements surrounding these abortion exceptions. The bill is designed to be consistent with recent Texas Supreme Court opinions and aims to provide clearer guidelines for medical professionals while maintaining strict restrictions on abortions outside of recognized medical emergencies.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (61)
Charlie Geren (R)*,
Donna Howard (D)*,
Lacey Hull (R)*,
Ann Johnson (D)*,
Angelia Orr (R)*,
Alma Allen (D),
Keith Bell (R),
Diego Bernal (D),
Salman Bhojani (D),
Rhetta Bowers (D),
Brad Buckley (R),
John Bucy (D),
Liz Campos (D),
Sheryl Cole (D),
David Cook (R),
Philip Cortez (D),
Drew Darby (R),
Aicha Davis (D),
Lulu Flores (D),
Erin Gámez (D),
Linda Garcia (D),
Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D),
Stan Gerdes (R),
Vikki Goodwin (D),
Bobby Guerra (D),
Caroline Harris Davila (R),
Cole Hefner (R),
Ana Hernandez (D),
Venton Jones (D),
Helen Kerwin (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),
Joe Moody (D),
Eddie Morales (D),
Penny Morales Shaw (D),
Candy Noble (R),
Claudia Ordaz Perez (D),
Jared Patterson (R),
Mary Ann Perez (D),
Vincent Perez (D),
Mihaela Plesa (D),
Ron Reynolds (D),
Jon Rosenthal (D),
Lauren Simmons (D),
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),
Erin Zwiener (D),
Last Action
Left pending in committee (on 04/07/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB44 |
| Fiscal Note (Introduced) | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/fiscalnotes/html/HB00044I.htm |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB00044I.htm |
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