Lawmakers in Texas advanced legislation Thursday aimed at restricting the distribution of mail-order abortion pills from states such as New York and California. The bill would allow nearly any individual to sue doctors, distributors, and manufacturers nationwide, with the potential to collect substantial financial awards.
Supporters say the law could serve as a model for other states seeking to limit medication abortions by exposing providers and shipping companies to lawsuits. The measure is designed to deter the delivery of abortion pills into Texas, even from states where the procedure remains legal, by making legal liability a significant risk. Under the legislation, people could sue for a minimum of $100,000 per violation, with a portion directed to charity if the plaintiff is unconnected to the case. The bill also blocks “shield laws” in other states from being used as a defense against these lawsuits, potentially creating conflicts that could reach the Supreme Court.
The legislation represents Texas’s second attempt this year to curb mail-order abortion medications after similar proposals failed earlier. Gov. Greg Abbott, who supports the measure, is expected to sign it once it clears the legislature. Opponents, including reproductive rights groups, warn that the law could drastically reduce access to medication abortion nationwide and set a precedent for other states to impose similar restrictions. The bill has already sparked legal challenges from out-of-state providers who argue that it overreaches the state’s authority.
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