Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign a bill that effectively bans abortions after six weeks after the Senate concurred in House modifications to SB 8, known as the Texas “heartbeat” bill.
That measure, by Mineola Sen. Bryan Hughes, requires doctors to attempt to detect a fetal heartbeat before they perform an abortion. If they do find one, they must stop or face civil liability of at least $10,000 per procedure.
This bill differs from similar legislation in 10 other states in that it applies civil liability, rather than criminal or administrative liability.
“It’s this difference,” Hughes has said in committee meetings, “that could help this bill avoid being enjoined by federal courts like legislation passed by other states.”
Supreme Court precedent allows most abortion procedures to occur up to 20 weeks gestation. Though it can vary some, a fetal heartbeat is usually detectable around six weeks’ gestation.
The House added two amendments to which the Senate agreed. The first would roll back Senate changes to other abortion-related laws already in the books.
Another amendment would reduce the statute of limitations on civil liability, reducing the time in which a provider can be sued for performing an abortion in violation of the bill’s proposed law from six years to four years after the procedure.
Abbott tweeted his congratulations to the Legislature for sending the bill to his desk.
The permit-less carry bill will go to conference committee after the House refused to concur with Senate amendments to HB 1927. Five representatives and
Five representatives and five senators will meet to hash out the differences between the two measures. The bill would allow Texans who are at least 21 years old and who are already lawfully permitted to carry a handgun to do so without a state license. The Senate added amendments that would prohibit carrying a handgun for five years after a conviction for certain violent offenses.
It would also increase penalties for illegal carry by convicted felons or domestic violence offenders who are already barred from carrying a sidearm under federal or state law. Other changes added to the bill include a prohibition against public carry while intoxicated and a requirement that the Department of Public Safety create a free, online gun safety course.
Abbott has indicated that he would sign the bill if the Legislature sends it to his desk.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.