H.B. No. 991, known as the Women and Child Safety Act, seeks to impose stricter regulations on abortion and the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. The bill asserts that human life begins at fertilization, categorizes abortion as a violent act, and emphasizes equal protection for unborn children under the law. It introduces a new chapter in the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 171A, which outlines prohibitions against the manufacture, possession, or distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and establishes civil liability for violations. The bill also creates a civil right of action against individuals or entities that facilitate access to such drugs, while protecting certain individuals, like the pregnant woman seeking an abortion, from liability.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for civil enforcement against interactive computer service providers that facilitate access to abortion-related information, allowing individuals to bring civil actions against them. It mandates that Internet service providers take reasonable steps to block access to specific websites related to abortion and criminalizes actions such as paying for abortion costs. The legislation also clarifies the jurisdiction of state courts and establishes that immunity conferred by Section 171A.451 applies universally across all courts. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to causes of action that accrue on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 71.02 (Penal Code 71)