H.B. No. 144 aims to enhance the legal protections for unborn children in Texas by recognizing their rights and establishing criminal liability for actions that harm them. The bill asserts the sanctity of life from the moment of fertilization and seeks to align state laws with the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause. Key provisions include amending the definition of "individual" in the Penal Code to include unborn children at all stages of development, and introducing new sections that apply existing criminal laws equally to offenses against unborn victims as they do to those against individuals born alive. Additionally, the bill repeals certain laws that previously allowed for prenatal homicide and coercion regarding abortion.

The legislation also clarifies that unintentional injuries or deaths of unborn children resulting from lifesaving procedures for pregnant mothers or spontaneous miscarriages are not subject to the new provisions. It repeals specific sections of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the Penal Code that previously addressed these issues. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to offenses committed or conduct occurring after that date, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the laws in effect at the time they were committed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 1.07, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 71.003 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 71, Penal Code 1)