Senate panel OKs revised version of abortion ban clarification bill. Here’s what changed. | Austin American Statesman

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By: Bayliss Wagner

SB 31’s GOP sponsors and major anti-abortion groups, such as Texas Alliance for Life and Texas Right to Life, supported the introduced versions of the bill, which said patients must face risk of death or “substantial loss of a major bodily function” but did not require that a “life-threatening condition” cause these risks, unlike current law. However, some Republicans in the Texas House objected.
“I think a lot of the pro-life community are worried that when you start making exceptions, they’ll become checkboxes to get around and get right back to elective abortion on demand,” state Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, said during a House Public Health Committee hearing on HB 44 on April 7.

Texas lawmakers try to clear up abortion law but risk reigniting centuries-old restrictions | NBC KCEN TV

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By: Daniel Perreault

During a hearing in the House Public Health Committee on Monday, Democratic state lawmakers grilled anti-abortion groups.

“You don’t think this bill through, this clarification would change anything currently under the law otherwise that could restrict that,” State Rep. John Bucy (D-Austin) asked Texas Alliance for Life Director Joe Pojman, who responded, “No, sir, absolutely not.”

Texas Abortions Drop to 0, Law Saves Women and Babies | LifeNews.com

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By: Texas Alliance for Life

“Governor Abbott is absolutely right — no changes to the medical necessity exception language in the law are needed,” said Amy O’Donnell, Communications Director for Texas Alliance for Life. “These numbers continue to prove that Texas’ pro-life laws are working as Governor Abbott and the Legislature intended, saving unborn lives while allowing doctors to provide medically necessary abortions when a woman’s life or health is at risk.”