H.B. No. 991, known as the Women and Child Safety Act, seeks to impose stringent regulations on abortion and the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. The bill asserts that human life begins at fertilization, categorizing abortion as a violent act that terminates a human life, and emphasizes equal protection for unborn human beings under the law. It introduces new legal provisions under Chapter 171A of the Health and Safety Code, defining abortion-related terms and prohibiting the manufacture, possession, and distribution of abortion-inducing drugs. The bill establishes civil liability for violations, holding individuals and entities accountable for wrongful death or personal injury resulting from these drugs, while also outlining specific defenses that are not permissible in related civil actions.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subchapter mandating internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites that facilitate elective abortions or abortion-inducing drugs, providing them immunity for compliance. It criminalizes actions such as paying for abortion costs and the destruction of evidence related to abortions, while also expanding the jurisdiction of the attorney general over abortion law violations. The legislation reinforces sovereign immunity for state officials and courts, ensuring that any judicial relief that disregards this immunity is void. 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)