Texas bill against mail order abortion pills heads to governor’s desk

The Texas Senate on Wednesday passed House Bill 7, titled the Woman and Child Protection Act, which forbids a person from prescribing, manufacturing or distributing abortion pills in the state.

The bill heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it. The law would take effect in December.

“This bill is about protecting the little baby growing inside her mother’s womb. This bill is about protecting moms who have been victimized and lied to,” Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Republican, said in a post on X. “And this bill is about making sure Big Pharma can no longer ship poisonous pills into Texas just to pad their profits at the expense of life.”

The bill allows an individual to sue a person who violates the law and promises a minimum of $100,000 in damages to successful plaintiffs. 

In the case of medical emergencies, women who take abortion pills, as well as any doctors or hospitals, are exempt from legal targeting. The bill also protects postal workers, transportation companies and delivery personnel from lawsuits. 

The Guttmacher Institute reported 63% of abortions in 2023 were chemical. 

Texas, as one of the leading pro-life states, outlawed abortions under the Heartbeat Act after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Despite these restrictions, officials estimate 20,000 to 30,000 abortion pills are illegally mailed into the state each year, The Lion reported. 

Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican who proposed the bill, thanked his colleagues and fellow Texans for their defense of the most vulnerable in a post on X. 

“From the very beginning, this bill has been about protecting women, defending the unborn, and ensuring that those who traffic dangerous abortion drugs into our state are held accountable,” Leach said. “Texas is — and will continue to be — a national leader in the fight for life.”