HB 7 allows new means to stop “abortions by mail,” while preventing additional harm to women

Texas bishops can now support committee substitute

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is grateful to the Texas House, Chairman Jeff Leach, and the House State Affairs Committee for the substantial improvements in the House substitute of HB 7.

Unlike earlier versions, this bill is more restrictive of who can bring suits and includes significant privacy protections to prevent the potential harassment of women.

In brief, with the revisions provided the bill now:

• Prevents lawsuits by people convicted of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault, or people collaborating with such abusers.
• Prohibits the individuals bringing suit or defending a suit from surveilling women or releasing the identity of women who use or sought to use drugs that cause abortions.
• If the lawsuit against the drug provider is successful, it provides $90,000 to a charity, with the party bringing the suit only receiving $10,000, unless the party bringing the suit is directly related to the aborted baby.
• Does not require an abortion to have occurred to bring a suit against the drug manufacturer.
• Prohibits pre-suit depositions of women without consent, thereby preventing harassment of women.

The full statement of the bishops follows:

As shepherds concerned for the well-being and salvation of all, we are grateful that HB 7 has significant provisions to protect women who have already been violated by abortion. The ministry and care provided by our pregnancy centers and programs such as Project Rachel tell us that many women have had abortions because of psychological intimidation or even violent coercion inflicted upon them by men, including their partners or traffickers. Post-abortive women who seek healing and mercy require a safe place to find their voice and articulate their grief and shame over the death of their children.

Because the bill’s authors share our priority to protect women and their children, this legislation serves as another means to prevent the unlawful introduction of drugs into our state for illegal abortions, while ensuring that women suffering from abortion will not be retraumatized by abusers or others willing to harm them for personal gain.

We continue to pray for a conversion of hearts, especially by those who manufacture these drugs. We exhort all to promote a Culture of Life that tenderly embraces mothers and their children. Let us work together so that all mothers have the support and resources they need to welcome their children with the peace and love that God intends.