H.B. No. 66, 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, categorizing abortion as a violent act that terminates a human life, and emphasizes the equal protection of 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 defenses for those accused. Additionally, it prohibits public enforcement of civil actions, allowing only private individuals to initiate lawsuits, and specifies remedies available to claimants.

The bill further introduces subchapters addressing private civil enforcement against interactive computer services that facilitate access to abortion-related information, mandates Internet service providers to block specific websites related to abortions, and establishes criminal offenses related to abortion, including the payment for abortion costs. It also outlines sovereign immunity for the state and its subdivisions in legal actions challenging the chapter's validity, ensuring that any judicial relief disregarding this immunity is void. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, allowing time for individuals and entities to adapt to the new legal framework.

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