The bill, S.B. No. 33, amends various sections of the Health and Safety Code in Texas to establish exceptions to existing laws prohibiting abortion. Specifically, it introduces a new exception under Section 170A.002(b-1) that allows for abortions if a physician determines they are necessary due to a lethal fetal anomaly or a life-limiting diagnosis indicating that the fetus cannot survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical interventions. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 171.045 to clarify that certain abortion methods are permissible when the unborn child is determined to be 20 weeks or older, and it outlines conditions under which the prohibitions on abortion do not apply, including medical emergencies and the aforementioned diagnoses.

Further amendments include provisions that exempt abortions performed in unlicensed facilities under specific circumstances, such as medical emergencies or lethal fetal anomalies, as stated in Section 245.016. The bill also clarifies that physicians performing abortions under these exceptions will not face penalties, as indicated in Sections 164.052(d) and 165.152(e). Overall, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for when abortions can be legally performed in Texas, particularly in cases of severe medical conditions affecting the fetus or the mother. The act is set to take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 171.045, Health and Safety Code 171.205 (Health and Safety Code 171)