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WASHINGTON—Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sept. 17 signed a bill into law that aims to halt the sale of abortion medication by mail to residents of his state.
The bill, known as House Bill 7, would allow private citizens to bring lawsuits against entities that mail abortion medication—which is already banned in Texas—to residents of the state for the purpose of facilitating an abortion.
Litigants would be able to file a “qui tam” action, whereby a private citizen sues in the name of the State of Texas and collects benefits on behalf of the state, and collect damages from the medication provider for at least $100,000, as well as attorneys’ fees.
The bill was passed by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature—on a vote of 82 to 48 in the House, and 17 to 8 in the Senate. Abbott signed the bill, known as the “Woman and Child Protection Act,” into law, and it will take effect on Dec. 4.
The bill’s enactment was lauded by pro-life groups. The mother of the baby is immune from lawsuits brought pursuant to the law.
“Thank you @GregAbbott_TXfor signing HB7 Woman and Child Protection Act into law last night! We are grateful to @SenBryanHughesand @leachfortexasfor working tirelessly to obtain this victory in Texas!” wrote the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative litigation nonprofit, on social media. “It’s designed to give women legal recourse when they are harmed from abortion drugs, and it’s designed to protect their unborn children from illegal abortion drug trafficking,” an ADF representative added.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, which had to approve the bill, wrote in a statement on Sept. 2 when the bill was considered by that body that the bill will “protect the lives of thousands of Texas children” when enacted.
The bill was part of a dozen that Abbott signed into law on Sept. 17.
Abortion advocacy groups have attacked the legislation, saying that it will harm women in the state who seek the procedure. The State of Texas has already banned all elective abortions in the state from the moment of conception, with only those procedures necessary to save the life of a mother being permitted.
“HB 7 exports Texas’ extreme abortion ban far beyond state borders. It will fuel fear among manufacturers and providers nationwide, while encouraging neighbors to police one another’s reproductive lives, further isolating pregnant Texans, and punishing the people who care for them,” wrote Blair Wallace, a representative for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which opposes the measure.
The bill has also been criticized by pro-life figures in Texas who say it does not go far enough.
“This bill, while well-intentioned, simply kicks the pro-life can down the road,” said state Rep. David Lowe (R), who opposed the bill, during a debate in the Legislature. “It does not actually abolish abortion. It creates another roadblock, another layer of regulation.”
Arjun Singh was a reporter for The Epoch Times. He covered national politics, legal controversies, immigration, the U.S. Congress, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
