A Texas bill that would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected is heading to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has vowed to sign the measure.
The Texas Heartbeat Act cleared the Senate on Thursday 18-12 after passing the House 83-64 on May 6. It forbids providers from performing or inducing “an abortion on a pregnant woman unless the physician has determined” that a fetal heartbeat is not present, excluding medical emergencies.
The legislation would also allow Lone Star State residents to sue those who conduct abortions in the state if they violate the provisions.
TEXAS CITY BECOMES LARGEST ‘SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN’ AFTER COMPLETELY OUTLAWING ABORTION
The Texas Senate Research Center determined that abortions could be banned as early as six weeks into fetal development.
“The Texas Heartbeat Act is the strongest Pro-Life bill passed by the Legislature since Roe v. Wade,” said Rebecca Parma, the organization’s senior legislative associate.
Advocates for abortion rights denounced the bill.
“With their lack of power at the federal level, anti-choice lawmakers across the country are ramping up their attacks on reproductive freedom at the state level, and cruelty appears to be the point,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue.
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Lubbock, Texas, became a “sanctuary city for the unborn” May 1 after residents voted to outlaw abortion completely, making it the 24th city in the Lone Star State to do so.
Proposition A, which prohibits abortions without any exceptions, got 62% support in a citywide vote. It is the largest city in Texas to pass such a measure.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to procure or perform an abortion of any type and at any stage of pregnancy in the City of Lubbock, Texas,” the ordinance read.
