Texas House Bill 7

Last updated
House Bill 7
Seal of Texas.svg
Texas Legislature
  • AN ACT relating to prohibitions on the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, including the jurisdiction of and effect of certain judgments by courts within and outside this state with respect to the manufacture and provision of those drugs, and to protections from certain counteractions under the laws of other states and jurisdictions; authorizing qui tam actions.
Citation
Territorial extentFlag of Texas.svg  Texas
Passed by Texas House of Representatives
PassedAugust 28, 2025
Passed by Texas Senate
PassedSeptember 3, 2025
Legislative history
First chamber: Texas House of Representatives
Bill titleHouse Bill 7
IntroducedAugust 20, 2025
First reading August 20, 2025
Second reading August 28, 2025
Third reading August 28, 2025
Voting summary
  • 82 voted for
  • 48 voted against
  • 3 present not voting
Second chamber: Texas Senate
Received from the Texas House of Representatives September 2, 2025
First readingSeptember 2, 2025
Second readingSeptember 2, 2025
Third readingSeptember 3, 2025
Voting summary
  • 17 voted for
  • 8 voted against
  • 1 present not voting
Summary
Prohibits the production and distribution of abortion medication in Texas, with narrow exceptions, and provides for lawsuits by citizens for damages.
Status: Pending assent

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. It passed the Texas Legislature on September 3, 2025 and is currently awaiting Governor Greg Abbott's signature. [1]

Contents

The bill also targets 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. [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

  1. 1 2 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 7. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  2. ↑ Aldridge, Olivia (2025-09-03). "Texas abortion pills bill heads to governor's desk". KUT News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  3. ↑ Fields, Alyssa (2025-09-04). "Texas OB-GYNS Fearing $100k Civil Suits After Bill Passes". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  4. ↑ Trotta, Daniel (2025-09-04). "Texas lawmakers pass bill allowing private citizens to sue abortion pill distributors". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  5. ↑ Reding, Shawna; Goudeau, Ashley (2021-05-05). "Texas abortion law: SB 8, 'heartbeat' bill, passes House". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Mallon, Elaine (2025-09-04). "Texas Senate passes bill allowing lawsuits over abortion pill distribution in state". KHQA 7. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 Shuran Yu, Jessica (2025-09-03). "Texas bill allowing private citizens to sue over abortion pills clears Legislature". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  10. 1 2 Tuma, Mary (2025-09-04). "Texas Legislature Passes 'Bounty Hunter' Ban on Abortion Pills". Texas Observer. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  11. ↑ Luthra, Shefali (2025-09-03). "Texas passes bill banning abortion pills from being mailed to the state". The 19th. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ Mendez, Maria; Deguzman, Colleen; Langford, Terri (2025-08-29). "Texas House approves bill to sue over abortion medication". KVUE. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  14. ↑ Montoya Coggins, Jessica (2025-08-28). "Bill Targeting Abortion Medication Advances In Texas House". The Texas Signal Media Foundation. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  15. ↑ Goldenstein, Taylor (2025-08-27). "Texas abortion 'bounty hunter' bill gets blessing from key groups" . Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
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