Texas Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban (HB 1500)

HB 1500 would prohibit a physician from performing or inducing an abortion on a pregnant person if it has been determined that the fetus has a detectable heartbeat.

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A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks of pregnancy—two weeks after a person’s first missed period—and well before many people even realize that they are pregnant.

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The bill would prohibit a physician from performing an abortion without first determining whether the fetus has a detectable heartbeat. The bill would allow the state executive commissioner to adopt rules specifying the appropriate tests to be used in determining the presence of a fetal heartbeat based on standard medical practice.

A physician would be able to perform an abortion only in cases of medical emergency or if it has been determined that there is no detectable heartbeat. If there is a medical emergency, the physician would need to document it in the patient’s medical record.

A person who violates this provision would be guilty of a felony.

Informed Consent

If a fetal heartbeat is detected, a physician would be required to inform the pregnant person in writing of the statistical probability of bringing the fetus to term.

Reporting Requirements

The bill would require a physician to include fetal heartbeat information on each abortion report, including any abortion performed due to a medical emergency.

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Latest Action

2/7/19 – Introduced.

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People