Texas Bill Relating to the Provision of Informational Materials Prior to an Abortion (SB 24)

SB 24 clarifies when a physician needs to provide a copy of state-printed informational materials to a person seeking an abortion which contains information on public and private agencies and services that are available to assist a person through pregnancy, childbirth, and the child’s dependency. The materials also contain information on the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of a fetus at two-week gestational increments.

Under current state law, a physician is not required to furnish copies of the materials if the pregnant person provides the physician with a written statement that they want to view the materials on the Internet website sponsored by the department. This bill requires doctors to hand the pamphlets directly to patients in certain circumstances.

The physician would be required to provide a copy of the materials:

• on the day of the initial consultation for a pregnant person who lives less than 100 miles from the nearest abortion provider, or a facility that performs more than 50 abortions per year; or
• before any sedative or anesthesia is administered to the pregnant person on the day of the abortion and at least two hours before the abortion if the patient lives 100 miles or more from the nearest abortion provider, or a facility that performs more than 50 abortions per year.

Informed Consent

Current state law requires a physician to provide certain information orally and in person prior to an abortion before they can obtain voluntary and informed consent from the pregnant person for an abortion. The bill clarifies that if the information is provided orally over the phone, it would need to be on a private call.

---

Related Legislation

Companion bill to HB 4240.

---

Latest Action

3/8/19 – Introduced.

4/23/19 – Passed the Senate by a 29-2 vote.

5/21/19 – Passed the House by an 88-54 vote.

6/7/19 – Signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

---

People