The 88th Legislature passed a bill protecting doctors who treat some pregnancy complications. House Bill 3058 provides a defense to lawsuits and criminal penalties under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 170A. It protects doctors who terminate a pregnancy to treat the following life-threatening complications:

• Ectopic pregnancy; or
• Previable premature membrane rupture.

This bill also protects pharmacists and pharmacies.

This bill took effect on September 1, 2023.

Texas Law

Understanding the Law

Texas law contains several criminal penalties related to providing abortions.

Note The patient who obtains an abortion is rarely at risk of criminal penalties under Texas's statutes. More often, the criminal penalties apply to the person performing the abortion.

Laws in Effect Prior to the Activation of the "Trigger Law"

Laws Taking Effect with the Activation of the "Trigger Law"

For more details about what the "trigger law" is and what it means, please see the "Trigger Laws" page.