H.B. No. 7, known as the Woman and Child Protection Act, establishes new regulations regarding the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs in Texas by creating Chapter 171A in the Health and Safety Code. The bill prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and provision of these drugs, with exceptions for medical emergencies and certain defined circumstances. It also allows for qui tam actions, enabling private individuals to sue on behalf of the state against violators, while protecting women seeking these drugs and certain entities acting under federal law from such actions. The bill emphasizes the protection of personal information related to women obtaining these drugs and provides defenses for those accused of violations.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments concerning civil liability and defenses under Section 171A.101, allowing defendants to assert affirmative defenses if civil liability would violate their rights under federal or Texas law. It sets a six-year statute of limitations for actions under this section and outlines remedies for qui tam relators, including monetary awards and attorney's fees. The bill also addresses clawback actions, establishing that out-of-state judgments related to these actions cannot be enforced in Texas unless required by federal law or the Texas Constitution. It designates the Fifteenth Court of Appeals as having exclusive jurisdiction over appeals related to these actions and clarifies that the provisions will apply only to causes of action accruing after its effective date, which is 91 days post-legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()
Enrolled: ()