The Woman and Child Protection Act amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to establish Chapter 171A, which introduces strict regulations on abortion and abortion-inducing drugs. The bill prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and provision of abortion-inducing drugs in Texas, with exceptions for medical emergencies and non-abortion-related purposes. It also limits liability for certain entities, such as internet and cloud service providers, regarding their involvement with these drugs, and restricts state court jurisdiction over related claims. The bill allows private individuals to initiate qui tam actions against violators, provides defenses for those who take reasonable precautions, and designates the Fifteenth Court of Appeals as the exclusive jurisdiction for appeals related to these actions.

Additionally, the bill outlines civil liability provisions under Section 171A.151, including a six-year statute of limitations for bringing actions, remedies for qui tam relators, and protections against retaliatory legal actions. It emphasizes Texas courts' jurisdiction over these matters, voiding conflicting contractual provisions and preventing enforcement of out-of-state judgments related to clawback actions. The Attorney General is granted authority to act on behalf of unborn children in criminal abortion law violations, while ensuring that women seeking abortions cannot be prosecuted. The bill also limits judicial review of abortion law challenges and imposes financial penalties on those seeking to invalidate its provisions, with specific criteria for determining a "prevailing party" in related civil actions. The provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Civil Practice and Remedies Code 27.010, Chapter , Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.022, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.022 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 27, Chapter , Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30)