Texas bishops ask 87th Legislature to approve pro-life bills

AUSTIN — On this tragic anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) has endorsed two major pro-life bills which have bipartisan support in the 87th Texas Legislature.

“The Human Life Protection Act and the Texas Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol bill will improve the protection of life in the State of Texas,” explained Jennifer Allmon, executive director of the TCCB. “We thank Senator Paxton, Senator Lucio, and Representative Capriglione for their work in filing these important bills. We look forward to working with all legislators of good will who want to protect life.”

The Human Life Protection Act (HB1280 and SB391) would allow the state to enact immediately new legislation in the event that the Supreme Court of the United States changes precedent and allows states to protect unborn children before viability outside the womb. Termed a “trigger ban,” the law would be triggered by the Supreme Court decision and ensure that state laws would align with the new precedent.

The Texas Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol bill (SB394) improves safety standards for women who are exposed to these procedures, regardless of changes in regulations on the federal level. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows abortion-inducing drugs to be available by mail or over the counter, bypassing medical oversight and regulation, then, without access to professional medical care, women’s lives could be in danger. The bill would provide regulations to ensure that chemical abortion procedures must meet the standards of care as currently established.

“There will be many other bills that will enhance the pro-life protections that Texas offers,” Allmon said, “but these two are the most critical. That is because the Human Life Protection Act will allow the most efficient and effective method of reducing abortions in Texas as soon as the Supreme Court allows, and the chemical abortion safety protocol will address the safety of expectant mothers and unborn children who are potentially at risk.

“These vulnerable Texans deserve special attention by our Legislature, and we encourage our representatives and senators to bring these bills to the governor’s desk,” said Allmon.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is the association of the Roman Catholic bishops of Texas. The TCCB represents 16 dioceses and 20 active bishops. Through the TCCB, the bishops provide a moral and social public policy voice, accredit the state's Catholic schools, and maintain archives that reflect the work and the history of the Catholic Church in Texas.