Texas House Passes Bill Allowing Mothers Solo HOV Lane Access

The Texas House has passed HB2462, a bill allowing pregnant women, parents, and legal guardians to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes alone by recognizing fetuses or children as qualifying occupants. Initially authored by Republican Jeff Leach to grant pregnant women HOV access by counting their unborn fetus as a passenger, the bill was expanded through a Democratic amendment to include all mothers, reflecting a broader definition of motherhood. This legislative move follows incidents like Brandy Bottone's 2022 citation for driving alone in the HOV lane while 34 weeks pregnant, which sparked debate over fetal personhood—the legal recognition of fetuses as persons. Supporters, including Leach, describe the bill as supporting and elevating mothers, while critics warn that embedding fetal personhood into law could lead to complex legal consequences, such as criminalizing behaviors during pregnancy. The bill, which passed with bipartisan involvement though without Democratic votes on initial passage, is now headed to the Texas Senate for further consideration. The legislation also contains provisions to halt implementation if it threatens federal funding or violates federal law, highlighting ongoing tensions around abortion and fetal rights in Texas.