SB2727 - Relating to the regulation of abortion and related matters, including infant supportive palliative care and exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion.

  89R15939 MPF-D     By: Cook, Alvarado S.B. No. 2727       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the regulation of abortion and related matters,   including infant supportive palliative care and exceptions to and   the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 142A, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Section 142A.0003 to read as follows:           Sec.   142A.0003.     RULES AND MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DELIVERY OF   CARE TO CERTAIN INFANTS. The executive commissioner by rule shall   prescribe minimum standards for the scope and delivery of   supportive palliative care to an infant born with a lethal fetal   anomaly or diagnosis.          SECTION 2.  Section 170A.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:           (b-1)     It is an exception to the application of Subsection   (a) that the pregnant female's treating physician and one other   physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology determine the   abortion is necessary due to a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis.          SECTION 3.  Chapter 170A, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Section 170A.0025 to read as follows:           Sec.   170A.0025.     MULTIDISCIPLINARY ETHICS COMMITTEE REVIEW   OF CERTAIN ABORTIONS. (a) A multidisciplinary ethics committee   composed of members appointed in accordance with rules the Texas   Medical Board adopts shall review a physician's determination that   an abortion is necessary under Section 170A.002(b-1) for each fetus   older than 24 weeks of age.           (b)     The treating physician and other physician who made the   determination described by Subsection (a) may not be a member of the   multidisciplinary ethics committee that reviews the determination.          SECTION 4.  The heading to Section 171.205, Health and   Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 171.205.   EXCEPTIONS [ EXCEPTION FOR MEDICAL   EMERGENCY ]; RECORDS ; REVIEW .          SECTION 5.  Section 171.205, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:           (a-1)     Sections 171.203 and 171.204 do not apply to an   abortion performed or induced by a physician in accordance with an   exception provided by Section 170A.002.          SECTION 6.  Section 171.206(b), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  This subchapter may not be construed to:                (1)  authorize the initiation of a cause of action   against or the prosecution of a woman on whom an abortion is   performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced in   violation of this subchapter;                (2)  wholly or partly repeal, either expressly or by   implication, any other statute that regulates or prohibits   abortion[ , including Chapter 6-1/2, Title 71, Revised Statutes ]; or                (3)  restrict a political subdivision from regulating   or prohibiting abortion in a manner that is at least as stringent as   the laws of this state.          SECTION 7.  Section 171.207(b), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  Subsection (a) may not be construed to:                (1)  legalize the conduct prohibited by this subchapter   [ or by Chapter 6-1/2, Title 71, Revised Statutes ];                (2)  limit in any way or affect the availability of a   remedy established by Section 171.208; or                (3)  limit the enforceability of any other laws that   regulate or prohibit abortion.          SECTION 8.  Chapter 6-1/2, Title 71, Revised Statutes, is   repealed.          SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.