Texas House set to vote on bill allowing Texans to sue over abortion-inducing pills

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After failing to pass the House floor during the regular session, State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, is once again attempting to take stronger measures against abortion-inducing drugs shipped to Texas.

House Bill 7 would allow private citizens to sue abortion-drug providers if their delivery to Texas is successfully used to induce an abortion. There’s several exceptions for those who can sue on behalf of the aborted fetus, not allow those who:

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• Impregnated the woman through sexual assault
• Committed a family violence offense
• Provided the abortion-inducing drug to the woman without her consent or knowledge
• Have been convicted of stalking
• Acted in concert with someone committing the above offenses

The bill would award at least $100,000 to a successful plaintiff, but the amount the plaintiff can recoup depends on who they are. If the woman who the drug was used on—or the father, sibling or grandparent of the aborted fetus—wins a case under HB 7, they would be entitled to the entire amount. Anyone else who files a lawsuit under this action would only be entitled to a cap of $10,000, with the remainder going to a charitable organization of the plaintiff’s choosing. The charity cannot benefit the plaintiff or their family, and the court can not award attorney’s fees in their decision.

The House convened at 1:30 p.m. and is set to vote on the bill Thursday afternoon. In the Texas Senate, a similar bill is being debated.