88(R) SB 2198 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the protection of an unborn child's rights and criminal |
 
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liability and justification for prohibited conduct. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 1.07(a)(26), Penal Code, is amended to |
 
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read as follows: |
 
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                         (26)    "Individual" means a human being who is alive, |
 
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including an unborn child at every stage of development [gestation] |
 
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from fertilization until birth. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Chapter 1, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Section 1.11 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  1.11.    APPLICABILITY OF CODE PROVISIONS TO UNBORN |
 
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VICTIMS. The provisions of this code apply equally to a violation |
 
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committed against any victim, regardless of whether the victim is |
 
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an unborn child or an individual who was born alive. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    Subchapter B, Chapter 9, Penal Code, is amended |
 
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by adding Section 9.23 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  9.23.    CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES.  Conduct is |
 
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justified if the conduct charged is a lawful medical procedure: |
 
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                         (1)    performed by a licensed physician; |
 
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                         (2)    performed on a pregnant female to avert the death |
 
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of the pregnant female; |
 
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                         (3)    that results in the accidental or unintentional |
 
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death of the unborn child the pregnant female is carrying; and |
 
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                         (4)    performed when reasonable alternatives to save the |
 
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life of the unborn child: |
 
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                                     (A)    are unavailable; or |
 
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                                     (B)    were attempted unsuccessfully before the |
 
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performance of the medical procedure. |
 
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             SECTION  4.    The following provisions are repealed: |
 
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                         (1)    Section 71.003(c), Civil Practice and Remedies |
 
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Code; |
 
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                         (2)    Section 19.06, Penal Code; and |
 
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                         (3)    Section 22.12, Penal Code. |
 
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             SECTION  5.    The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
 
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conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. |
 
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Conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act is |
 
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governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date |
 
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of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
 
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             SECTION  6.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |