Texas House Advances Bill Allowing Lawsuits Over Mailed Abortion Pills

Texas lawmakers have advanced a pioneering bill that allows private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, ships, or provides abortion pills into the state, including out-of-state prescribers. This legislation targets abortion-inducing drugs, primarily mifepristone and misoprostol, which are the most common method for abortions in the U.S. and have become more critical in states with abortion bans like Texas. The bill proposes significant financial penalties, including $100,000 per violation, with most of the award going to close relatives or charities. This measure builds on Texas's previous strategy of enabling private citizens to enforce abortion restrictions through civil lawsuits and is expected to face approval by the state Senate and the governor. Additionally, related Senate legislation addresses civil liabilities and exemptions connected to abortion-inducing drugs, highlighting the extensive legislative focus on abortion regulation in Texas. Meanwhile, unrelated legislation such as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention bill is being pushed in other states to improve access to reproductive health services for youth.