Texas Legislature approves ban on mail-order abortion pills

The Texas Legislature on Wednesday passed a sweeping measure aimed at restricting mail-order abortion medications and allowing private citizens to sue those mailing, delivering or distributing abortion pills to or from Texas.Why it matters: Republicans hope the new law shuts down medication abortion in Texas and provides a blueprint for red states in the ongoing battle over abortion access.Nearly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. are via medications.Texas, which has a near-total ban on abortions, saw more monthly abortions by the end of 2024 than in the months before Roe v. Wade was overturned, according to the #WeCount report from the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit that advocates for abortion access.Zoom in: The new legislation would allow anyone to sue manufacturers and people — like doctors, shipping companies and pharmaceutical companies —sending the drugs to Texans.The bill also allows successful plaintiffs to be awarded at least $100,000 in damages.Those taking the medication to end a pregnancy can't be sued, but Rep. Jeff Leach, a North Texas Republican and author of the House version of the bill, said during House debate that a parent of a pregnant minor could be sued for calling a clinic outside of Texas to inquire about mail-order abortion pills.What they're saying: The bill "is about protecting 'little unborn babies' and their moms," Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, said Tuesday, per the Texas Tribune. The other side: The Texas law is part of a larger national effort by Republicans to target medication abortion after the Supreme Court preserved abortion pill access a year ago.Friction point: Doctors in blue states prescribing abortion pills like mifepristone through the mail are protected by shield laws in those states. The Supreme Court could ultimately decide which state law prevails.What's next: The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

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