Political Information
80th Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Progress Made for Women's Health
From attempts to pay women $500 to forgo reproductive choice to efforts to criminalize abortion in Texas, it seemed like women's health care was under constant attack. Yet, in spite of what seemed like an endless amount of anti-choice initiatives, we managed to emerge victorious. Texas Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates and our allies around the state staved off every attack on reproductive choice while building broad-based support for measures to protect women's health.
We advanced legislation to reduce unintended pregnancies and improve women's health.
Prevention First!
The Texas Prevention First Act, sponsored by Austin's Senator Kirk Watson and Representative Mark Strama, passed out of the notoriously hostile House State Affairs committee and was scheduled for a debate by the entire Texas House of Representatives. This comprehensive family planning initiative would have expanded access to preventive health care services and education programs to help reduce unintended pregnancy and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. While time ran out before the bill could move forward, we made great headway.
We defeated every attempt to impose further restrictions on reproductive choice.
The "trigger" bill by Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa), which would have automatically criminalized abortion in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned.
A bill by Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) that would have forced women to review an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion.
Attempts to impose intrusive and cumbersome reporting requirements on women who obtain abortions and physicians who perform them, and require the disclosure of information that would jeopardize the safety and impartiality of judges who grant judicial bypass.
Legislation by Frank Corte (R-San Antonio) intended to discourage pharmacies from offering emergency contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.
Rep. Corte also sponsored a bill that would impose further obstacles to obtaining an abortion.
Finally, we educated the legislature and the public about devastating budget cuts made last legislative session to family planning programs when the legislature gave $5 million to unlicensed, unregulated so-called "crisis pregnancy centers." We will continue to pursue restoring full funding to family planning programs in the next legislative session.
For a complete list of bills tracked during the 80th Legislative Session, click here.
Past Legislative Activity
78th Legislative Session
