The Human Life Protection Act, a law that was contingent on the overturning of the U. S. Supreme Court abortion case Roe v. Wade from Texas, goes into effect today across Texas, creating a total ban on abortion in the Lone Star State.
On June 24th this year, the U. S. Supreme Court struck down the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and ruled (in Dobbs v. Jackson) that states can decide on their own how to handle the abortion issue.
Numerous other states have similar laws or have also passed new laws to ban abortion.
Reaction has been split down party lines. Republican lawmakers and many conservative groups are praising the statewide ban that is now in effect.
“We are thrilled that this law is taking effect, strengthening enforcement of existing pro-life statutes and putting the abortion industry on notice,” said Chelsey Youman, Texas State Director and National Legislative Adviser with Human Coalition Action.
Democrats feel very differently, however. Austin State Representative Donna Howard is dismayed by the change.
“The mother is being perceived, basically, as a vessel whose own well-being is second to the preservation of the fetal development,” Howard says.
The Austin City Council recently passed the GRACE Act, which bans the use of city dollars for investigations into reports of illegal abortions. The GRACE Act also directs police to de-prioritize any enforcement of the state law.
Doctors who perform an abortion in Texas can now be charged with a felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can also no levy civil penalties of at least $100,000.
