Texas House Advances Bill Allowing Suits Against Abortion Pill Providers

Texas lawmakers in the state House have advanced a bill that would allow private citizens to sue providers, manufacturers, and distributors of abortion pills, including those out-of-state, marking a significant expansion in efforts to restrict abortion access. The bill, passed along party lines and now heading to the Republican-led Senate, permits almost anyone to initiate lawsuits and seek damages of at least $100,000, although Texas women using the medication themselves cannot sue under this law. Exceptions exist for Texas hospitals, in-state doctors, and those distributing abortion pills for medical emergencies, but the legislation aims to disrupt the flow of abortion medication into Texas, which residents often obtain via telehealth from providers outside the state. Supporters argue the bill offers stronger enforcement against illegal abortion pills, while opponents, including reproductive rights advocates, warn it exports Texas's restrictive abortion laws beyond its borders, fostering fear among providers nationwide and further isolating pregnant Texans. This legislation echoes Texas's 2021 law enabling private lawsuits to enforce abortion bans, reflecting the ongoing intensification of abortion restrictions in the state following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Governor Greg Abbott is expected to decide on signing the bill into law if it passes the Senate.