The bill, H.B. No. 5386, proposes amendments to the Election Code of Texas to allow pregnant individuals to vote by mail if they will be in the second or third trimester on election day. The changes include modifying the heading of Section 82.002 to replace "CONFINEMENT FOR CHILDBIRTH" with "OTHER PHYSICAL CONDITION." Additionally, the eligibility criteria for early voting by mail will now include a provision that allows individuals who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy on election day to qualify for mail-in voting.

Furthermore, the bill updates the language regarding those eligible for early voting by mail by changing the timeframe for expecting mothers from "three weeks" to "four weeks" before or after election day. This legislation aims to ensure that pregnant individuals have the opportunity to participate in elections without the need to physically attend polling places, thereby accommodating their health and circumstances. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 82.002 (Election Code 82)