Legislation to restrict the production and distribution of chemical abortion pills in Texas — through civil liability, expanded powers for the state attorney general, and wrongful death claims — passed the Texas Senate this week. Known as the Woman and Child Protection Act (Senate Bill 6), the measure will stall unless the Texas House reaches a quorum by Friday.
Authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola), SB 6 fulfills one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session priorities after a similar proposal failed during the regular session. The bill targets the distribution of chemical abortion pills, which are often sold and shipped into Texas through online vendors.
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard nearly four hours of testimony Monday, with both supporters and opponents weighing in. Critics raised concerns about the bill’s broad private civil enforcement provisions, allowing anyone — regardless of connection to the case — to sue over alleged violations. Some argued this could lead to a “wild west” legal environment and intimidate both women and healthcare providers.
Hughes defended the enforcement mechanism, noting it mirrors that of the Texas Heartbeat Act of 2021, which has seen few lawsuits. “The reason is … because it worked,” Hughes said. “It had the intended effect of stopping illegal abortions, so the lawsuits weren’t necessary.”
Opponents also argued that Texas’ strict abortion bans have pushed women toward alternative, unregulated pill sources. Supporters countered that these drugs can be dangerous and are often not accompanied by adequate warnings. Several witnesses shared personal accounts of severe medical complications and emotional trauma after taking the pills.
Presenting SB 6 on the Senate floor, Hughes said, “In Texas … unless to save the life of the mother, the little baby is protected from abortion. But these poisonous illegal pills are being mailed into Texas against the law, harming women, killing little babies, and yes — even killing moms.”
The Senate passed SB 6 on a third reading with an 18–2 vote after most Senate Democrats left in protest of a redistricting bill.
A companion measure, House Bill 30 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Plano), has been filed but not yet heard in committee. Without a quorum in the House, Speaker Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) cannot refer it for consideration.
Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker Burrows have said the current special session will end Friday without further action if a quorum is not reached, and that Abbott will immediately call another special session with the same agenda.
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