A. Legislation enacted in the regular session
Rider 8 (Sens. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and Steve Ogden, R-Bryan): amendment to the appropriations bill (HB 1) denying public funding to any family-planning organization that provides abortions. The bill has led to a lawsuit filed by six Planned Parenthood affiliates against the Texas Dept. of Health.
HB 15 (Frank Corte, R-San Antonio): imposes a 24-hour waiting period for scheduled abortions; requires providers to display color photos of fetal development and information claiming links between abortion and breast cancer; requires all abortions after 16 weeks be performed in specially licensed hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers
SB 319 (Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria): aka the “Prenatal Protection Act,” grants personhood to fertilized eggs and embryos; promoted by supporters as protecting women from violence but doesn’t increase penalties for pregnant women who are victims of violent crime
B. Legislation filed in the special session
SB 9 (Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth): would require collection of statistical information regarding judicial bypasses requested by minors seeking abortions, as well as the number of approvals and denials. Reproductive-rights advocates fear the bill will expose judges who award judicial bypasses (waivers permitting minors to obtain abortions without notifying their parents) to attack by anti-choice groups. It is not on the governor’s session call, and as of Wednesday had not been considered by the State Affairs Committee.
This article appears in July 25 • 2003.