A Texas law to ban “heartbeat” abortions will likely go into effect Wednesday after its hearing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit was canceled for Monday.
The statute would ban the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can take place as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, and allows government employees to sue anyone who performs, assists, or pays for an abortion that violates the law.
“If this law is not blocked by September 1, abortion access in Texas will come to an abrupt stop,” Marc Hearron, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.
BABY GIRL NAMED AFTER PLANE THAT EVACUATED HER AFGHAN PARENTS
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, saw their emergency motions to have the law put on hold or sent back to the district denied by the 5th Circuit on Sunday.
One of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws is on track to take effect in Texas this week after an appeals court denied legal challenges.
The law bans abortions as early as six weeks. One provider said 90% of its abortions happen after that point. https://t.co/sfdoMI5L5U
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 29, 2021
Violations of the law carry a civil penalty of at least $10,000 in statutory damages.
Defendants found to have violated the Texas law may not use any defense based on a court decision that was later overruled.
Exceptions to the law are only allowed “if a physician believes a medical emergency exists that prevents compliance.”
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Opponents claim this law will see countless people overwhelming Texas courts with lawsuits against doctors, nurses, and friends who drive women to clinics.
