Texas House Bill 7
| House Bill 7 | |
|---|---|
| Texas Legislature | |
| |
| Citation | [1] |
| Territorial extent | Texas |
| Passed by | Texas House of Representatives |
| Passed | August 28, 2025 |
| Passed by | Texas Senate |
| Passed | September 3, 2025 |
| Signed by | Greg Abbott |
| Signed | September 17, 2025 |
| Effective | December 4, 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| Initiating chamber: Texas House of Representatives | |
| Bill title | House Bill 7 |
| Introduced | August 20, 2025 |
| First reading | August 20, 2025 |
| Second reading | August 28, 2025 |
| Third reading | August 28, 2025 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Revising chamber: Texas Senate | |
| Received from the Texas House of Representatives | September 2, 2025 |
| First reading | September 2, 2025 |
| Second reading | September 2, 2025 |
| Third reading | September 3, 2025 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Summary | |
| Prohibits the production and distribution of abortion medication in Texas, with narrow exceptions, and provides for lawsuits by citizens for damages. | |
| Status: In force | |
Texas House Bill 7 (HB 7) is a 2025 law in the state of Texas that allows private citizens to sue manufacturers and distributors of abortion pills to and from Texas for damages targeting shield laws passed in other states which prevent the enforcement of out-of-state laws regarding abortion care, nullifying them as a defense in Texas courts.[1][2][3]
Background
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a six-week abortion ban came into effect in Texas.[4] Senate Bill 8, also known as the Heartbeat Act, became law in 2021 and prohibits abortions in the state if a heartbeat is detected unless the doctor reasonably believes there is a medical emergency requiring the removal of the fetus.[5] Studies following the overturning of Roe v. Wade found that the abortion rate across the United States increased relative to before.[6]
"Telehealth abortions" were still technically legal in Texas because of shield laws in other states such as New York, who could send abortion pills to patients in Texas from other states without the threat of legal action.[7] Abortion pills are approved by the FDA to be used up to the tenth week of pregnancy.[8]
Provisions
House Bill 7 permits private citizens in Texas to sue the manufacturers and distributors of abortion pills in the state for damages. If their lawsuit is successful, the minimum in damages is $100,000. If the plaintiff is not directly related to the affected fetus but is still successful, they are entitled to 10% of the damages, with the rest going to charity.[1] Women who are administered such care cannot be targeted or sued, only the manufacturers and distributors.[9] Doctors cannot be sued for administering such care as well.[9]
Because the bill gives enforcement to private citizens and not the state itself, the state cannot be directly taken to court over enforcement of the law.[10] Appeals related to the law are sent to the 15th Court of Appeals.[10]
Reactions
Support
Texas Right to Life, a political lobby in the state, endorsed House Bill 7.[11] Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick congratulated state senator Bryan Hughes on the passage of House Bill 7.[12]
Opposition
The American Civil Liberties Union publicly opposed House Bill 7.[13] Texas House Democrats released a joint statement criticizing the bill after its passage.[14] The Texas Hospital Association and the Texas Medical Association also opposed the law because its previous form could have been used to target medical professionals or hospitals, resulting in an amendment specifically exempting doctors and hospitals.[15]
See also
References
- ^ a b McCrory, Madeline; Kaye, Emma (2025-09-04). "Bill that would allow private citizens to sue over abortion pills heads to Gov. Abbott's desk". KLTV. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Aldridge, Olivia (2025-09-03). "Texas abortion pills bill heads to governor's desk". KUT. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Fields, Alyssa (2025-09-04). "Texas OB-GYNS Fearing $100k Civil Suits After Bill Passes". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Trotta, Daniel (2025-09-04). "Texas lawmakers pass bill allowing private citizens to sue abortion pill distributors". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Reding, Shawna; Goudeau, Ashley (2021-05-05). "Texas abortion law: SB 8, 'heartbeat' bill, passes House". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Montoya Coggins, Jessica (2025-08-21). "The New Bill Attempting To Stop Abortion Medication In Texas". The Texas Signal Media Foundation. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Mallon, Elaine (2025-09-04). "Texas Senate passes bill allowing lawsuits over abortion pill distribution in state". KHQA 7. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Brindley, Emily; Brooks Harper, Karen (2025-08-28). "Texas House advances 'bounty hunter' bill cracking down on mail-order abortion pills". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ a b Shuran Yu, Jessica (2025-09-03). "Texas bill allowing private citizens to sue over abortion pills clears Legislature". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ a b Tuma, Mary (2025-09-04). "Texas Legislature Passes 'Bounty Hunter' Ban on Abortion Pills". Texas Observer. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Luthra, Shefali (2025-09-03). "Texas passes bill banning abortion pills from being mailed to the state". The 19th. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ "Lt. Gov Dan Patrick Statement on the Texas Senate's Passage of House Bill 7". Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Mendez, Maria; Deguzman, Colleen; Langford, Terri (2025-08-29). "Texas House approves bill to sue over abortion medication". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Montoya Coggins, Jessica (2025-08-28). "Bill Targeting Abortion Medication Advances In Texas House". The Texas Signal Media Foundation. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ^ Goldenstein, Taylor (2025-08-27). "Texas abortion 'bounty hunter' bill gets blessing from key groups". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2025-09-08.